“He’s away. Don’t reckon he’d say anything. He never interferes with a range boss.”
Robin stared at him.
“I wonder——” he began, and stopped short. He wanted to ask “Why?” Matthews understood. He shrugged his shoulders.
“Mark has ways of his own—and reasons,” he remarked indifferently. “It just don’t suit him to have me around, I guess.”
“Maybe you saw too much.”
Tex laughed outright.
“You’re gettin’ to be a regular Sherlock Holmes, kid. I dunno. Maybe he thinks I did. Anyhow, I’m kinda sorta lookin’ for a job.”
“What you want to work for a one-ring circus like the Bar M Bar for?” Robin asked. “You could ride for any of the big outfits.”
“Just a notion. Maybe I want to steal your girl?” he grinned cheerfully at Robin. “I tell you, kid,” he went on whimsically, “I’d like to ride around with you on this range a spell looking over cut-banks and cow tracks just to see what goes on—just for fun. Besides—oh, well, I got to work, and I’ve a notion to work for Mayne.”
“Come on down and ask him,” Robin counseled. “I’d sure like to have you with me. He’s got to put on a rider in the spring anyhow. I couldn’t ride with the Block S if I wanted to.”