Textual identity is not textual authority. “Catalogue primary/default” selects the default catalogue representation; it does not mean that this wording is automatically Howard’s most authoritative text.
Characters in this exact text
Baber Ali KhanBaber Ali Khan — Adam Khel Afridi chief whose safe-conduct Clanton needsMentionedfirst: Clanton explains he is waiting for Baber Ali Khan's protection.Ahmed ShahMirza Pasha — Persian agent of Baber Ali Khan who conspires with Sonya/OlgaOn Pagefirst: Clanton meets him in the street after leaving Olga's house.Olga ValiskySonya Ormanoff — white woman in Peshawur who conspires to seize Clanton's riflesOn Pagefirst: Opening sentence.Wild Bill ClantonWild Bill ClantonOn Pagefirst: Opening sentence.
Surviving manuscript evidence
The records below describe surviving physical typescripts, carbons, manuscript material and documentary catalogue evidence for this exact textual state. TSS numbers identify physical catalogue units; they are not story or draft IDs.
Draft 1 — surviving Howard typescriptHoward typescript
Extent12 pagesCompletenessComplete
Physical extent: Complete 12-page untitled typescript; dwindles into synopsis form near the end
TSS: 52479–52488
Complete untitled Howard typescript.
Additional documentary notes
- Untitled Witness: First Cuts describes Draft 1 as untitled. (witness level)
- Textual Mode Shift: The complete draft dwindles into synopsis form near the end. (near end of witness)
- Extent Catalogue Count Mismatch: The source calls the witness 12 pages but cites TSS 52479–52488, ten catalogue identifiers. (witness level)
Source: First Cuts: The Veiled Manuscripts v1.4, Murderer's Grog Editorial Notes p. 409; Draft 1 pp. 413–422
