He hesitated. Then he looked down into her own eyes: "You'd know I did what I ought to do, Kate."
She withdrew herself from his embrace and looked at him: "I know you're going, Jim; only, don't ask me to say 'go.' I couldn't bear to think I sent you."
McAlpin had armed himself and was determined, despite Laramie's protests, to ride with him. The plucky boss was saddling the ponies and stood momentarily expecting Laramie at the barn when the telephone rang.
Too occupied with his watch for Laramie to give it any heed, McAlpin let it ring. And the barn men let it ring. It rang, seemingly, more and more sharply until McAlpin, with an impatient exclamation, ordered a hostler to answer. "It's you, McAlpin," bawled the hostler from the office, "and they want you quick."
McAlpin hurried to the instrument and glued his ear to the receiver. Tenison was on the wire. He spoke low and fast: "Is Laramie there?"
"No."
"Where is he?"
"Couldn't tell you, Harry, I'm lookin' for him every minute."
"Drop everything. Find him quick or you'll be too late. Van Horn's in town."
McAlpin gasped and swallowed: "What d' y' mean, Harry?"