"He is not."
"Where is he?"
"He has gone to Hurley's Gulch."
"When did he leave?"
"This morning."
"Ah, I'm sorry I missed him. When do you expect him back?"
"In a few days. Won't you come over and have some dinner?" asked Sam, waving his hand in the direction of the plateau, on which Wah Shin was visible.
"Thank you; no. We are going on to Hurley's Gulch, and are in a great hurry," said Frank Shirley, turning and whispering to his companion, who nodded vigorously in response.
"Who shall I say called?" asked Sam, as the two men turned to ascend the trail.
"Friends," was the laconical reply.