"You must go! You must leave Holbrook before dark!"
"I hardly fancy it," muttered Frank, frowning. "I do not like the notion. It leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth to think of running away from Cimarron Bill."
For, although June had not mentioned the ruffian by name, not knowing it herself, her description of him had satisfied Frank that it could be no other than the baffled scoundrel who had twice attempted to seize the Queen Mystery Mine.
"But you will go?" she urged.
"I'll think of it."
They had reached the post-office and were now standing in front of the building. Bart Hodge was sauntering slowly in their direction on the opposite[Pg 234] side of the street, having kept within easy pistol-shot of Frank all the while.
Frank's words did not satisfy June. He saw she was in distress.
"If you will not go for your own sake," she said, "please do for mine."
He looked astonished.
"For your sake?" he said. "Why, I had not an idea in the world that it could be of so much concern to you. I'm afraid I do not understand why it should be. Now, if Dick——"