“Not Dick Ralston’s boy?”
The six-foot deputy smiled.
“The same, sir.”
The Colonel’s hand shot out in greeting.
“Anybody of that name is pretty near like kin to me. Many’s the time your dad and I have eaten out of the same frying-pan.”
“So I’ve heard him say.”
“Does he know you’re down here on this job?”
The young man shook his head soberly.
“No.”
The Colonel looked at him keenly.