Shadow of a Hang Rope — Lauran Paine

John Hawk was unemployed. His outriding job had ended at Vacaville in Arizona Territory. He has only $100, and isn't going anywhere until he makes more money. He overhears a conversation about a string of horses that are to be exchanged with a bill of sale at Hunter's Spring for a down payment of $100. Hawk seizes his chance, rides to Hunter's Spring, meets the man holding the horses, pretending he's the agent for the man buying the obviously stolen herd. In another town, he sells the horses for $600, making a considerable profit. He returns to Vacaville, hoping he is not connected with the stolen herd, where he assumes a job as gun guard on the Vacaville-Springerville stage and quickly gains a half interest in the line. Now good things are really in the offing for Hawk, but there is also an increasing threat from bad and dangerous things.