Farnsworth looked sharply at Ted for a moment, then replaced his revolver, and signaled to lead the way.
They rode in silence along the trail toward the ranch house for several minutes.
"How shall I introduce you to the major—as Farnsworth?" asked Ted, at last.
Farnsworth paused to think before replying.
"I think not," he said at last. "If I am to stay there for the night, there may as well be no unpleasant feeling. Call me anything you like but that, and I will fall in with it. They may know something about me, and, while I would be safe while Major Caruthers considered me a guest, still, it might cause some restraint."
"Probably you are right. How will Mr. Dickson do?"
"As good as any. Say, Strong, you're a brick! I won't forget this."
"This is a sort of truce. Anyway, it's Christmas, and a fellow should put away malice at such a time."
"Have you malice toward me?"
"No, I can't say that I have. But I have heard things about you that haven't prepossessed me in your favor."