"How do you know it's for me?"
"She said it was for the Big Chap," answered Blandford Keith.
The Colonel read:
"Come to the Gold Nugget as soon as you get this, and hear something to your advantage.—MAUDIE."
So he had stayed away, having plenty to occupy him in helping to organise the new district. He was strolling past the saloon the morning after the Secret Meeting, when down into the street, like a kingfisher into a stream, Maudie darted, and held up the Colonel.
"Ain't you had my letter?"
"Oh—a—yes—but I've been busy."
"Guess so!" she said with undisguised scorn. "Where's Si McGinty?"
"Reckon he's out at the gulch. I've got to go down to the A. C. now and buy some grub to take out." He was moving on.
"Take where?" She followed him up.