صفحة 209 من 439

Fraser waited on the ridge till his host brought breakfast of

bacon, biscuits, hard-boiled eggs, and coffee. While he ate,

Speed sat down on a bowlder beside him and talked.

"I sent my boy with a note to Dillon. It's a good thirty miles

from here, and the old man won't make it back till some time

to-morrow. Course, you're welcome at the house, but I judge it

wouldn't be best for you to be seen there. No knowing when some

of Brandt's deputies might butt in with a warrant. You can slip

down again after dark and burrow in the haystack. Eh? What

think?"

"I'm in your hands, but I don't want to put you and your friends

to so much trouble. Isn't there some mountain trail off the

beaten road that I could take to Dillon's ranch, and so save him

from the trip after me?"