Chapter 211: Milton’s Final Warning
Clemens Point Camp.
What the Van der Linde Gang had done caused a huge stir, and it inevitably drew the attention of the Pinkertons.
Milton arrived at Clemens Point Camp with Ross.
“Hey, Dutch, we’ve got trouble.”
Lenny, who was on watch, tensed the moment he saw the two agents, but he didn’t dare try to stop them.
At the time, Dutch was discussing their next move with the others. Hearing the voices, he and the rest of the gang turned to look. Ross and Milton were already walking toward them.
“Not trouble… guests,” Milton said calmly. “And a solution.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Van der Linde. Mr. Morgan. We meet again.”
“We’re Milton and Ross, agents of the Pinkerton Detective Agency.”
The moment the word Pinkerton was spoken, it sent shockwaves through the camp. The gang had just pulled off something big, and everyone was already on edge.
The gunmen immediately closed in, surrounding Milton and Ross.
Even faced with that, neither of them showed the slightest fear.
Milton was a senior Pinkerton agent. If he died here, Pinkerton would fly into a rage and take direct action against the Van der Linde Gang. Even weakened, Pinkerton was still far more powerful than they were. Stripped of formal law-enforcement authority and placed under constant scrutiny or not, it remained a force the gang simply couldn’t withstand.
“So,” Dutch said lazily from his seat, making no move to stand, contempt dripping from his voice, “what brings you idiots here?”
Milton didn’t rise to the insult. Instead, he said evenly, “Mr. Van der Linde, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but this land is part of civilization now.”
“We killed off the savages so that people like you—those with no human dignity or basic morality—wouldn’t be free to stir up chaos.”
“Those days are over.”
Dutch stood up slowly, his voice low and heavy.
“This place has nothing to do with civilization. Everyone here is greedy to the point of shamelessness, driven by nothing but desire.”
Milton shot back, “And that gives you the right to do whatever you want? Take whatever you want, kill whoever you want, and hang whoever’s left?”
“Who made you think you’re some kind of savior, leading these lost souls straight into ruin?”
This was a clash of beliefs. Dutch couldn’t give ground—not even a little. If he did, the very justification for the gang’s existence would collapse.
“Mr. Milton, I’m just someone searching for the truth,” Dutch said seriously. The words were for Milton, but also for everyone behind him.
Milton’s tone turned icy.
“Mr. Van der Linde, you’re nothing more than a killer. The Gray family. The Braithwaite family. How many people have you killed on this very land?”
“What you’ve done has already drawn the attention of the federal government. Even in cities back east, people know your gang’s name.”
“I don’t think it’ll be long before the federal pursuit intensifies. When that happens, there won’t be anywhere left for you to run on this land.”
Dutch let out a cold laugh.
“So, Mr. Milton, why are you really here? To pray for people who are about to die? Or to sneer at a bunch of wandering outcasts like us?”
Milton shook his head.
“No. I’m here to make a deal.”
“The time has come, Mr. Van der Linde. You come with me. I’ll give the rest of them three days to leave. Disappear. Go somewhere else and live like human beings.”
Dutch raised an eyebrow.
“So you came for me? Risking your life to walk into a den of murderers and lowlifes.”
“Just so they can learn how to love and live properly? Don’t kid yourself—you’re not that kind-hearted.”
Milton fell silent for a moment, then said quietly, “Dutch, I don’t want to kill all of you. As long as I have you, that’s enough.”
Dutch suddenly burst out laughing and raised his hands.
“If that’s the case, it would be my honor to go with you.”
“Sorry, friends. Looks like I’ve got an appointment to keep.”
The moment he said that, Arthur and the others drew their revolvers from their holsters. The sharp clicks of cocking guns rang out through the camp.
Even now, Dutch still held enormous authority within the gang.
Susan lifted her shotgun and said coldly, “I think your ‘new friends’ should leave now, Dutch.”
Milton swept his gaze across the crowd and spoke loudly.
“You’re all making a colossal mistake. Every last one of you.”
Dutch cut him off.
“Yes, it’s terrifying. We’ve got things… worth dying for.”
“Such a shame, Mr. Milton. Stop following us. We’re leaving right now.”
Hearing the threat beneath Dutch’s calm tone, Milton replied evenly, “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Mr. Van der Linde.”
“When I come back, I’ll bring fifty men. And you… will all die.”
“Get out of here, you idiots! Get lost!”
Lenny couldn’t help himself and stepped forward, about to shove Milton.
“Take your filthy hands off me, kid,” Milton barked.
He shot Dutch a cold look, then turned and walked away. Agent Ross followed close behind.
Dutch and the others simply watched as the two agents left, making no further move.
Even now, Dutch didn’t dare suggest keeping them there or teaching them a lesson.
“What do we do now, Dutch?” Arthur asked quietly, watching their backs disappear.
“We leave. And fast,” Dutch replied. “Any ideas, Arthur?”
There was no anger in Dutch’s eyes—just a trace of worry beneath his calm.
“I know a big house out in the swamps outside Saint Denis. It’s very well hidden.”
“I’m sure they’ll find us eventually, but we can lie low there for a while.”
Dutch nodded. “A little time is enough.”
Arthur went on, “The house is on the outskirts of Shady Belle. Lenny, Davey, and I had a run-in with the previous owner before. It’s well concealed.”
Dutch frowned slightly at the mention of Davey, but he deliberately skipped over it.
“Arthur, you and Charles go check it out first. Make sure there’s no one else there.”
“Lenny, follow those idiot agents and confirm they’re really gone.”
“Everyone else—pack up. We’re leaving immediately.”
Under Dutch’s orders, everyone moved into action. Still, the visit from Agents Milton and Ross left a heavy shadow hanging over the hearts of the gang.
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