"What's wrong, Shifty?" returned Bill. "Ye seem to be outer sorts. What's the news? Where's the gang an' the kid?"
Deigning no reply Nick flung himself upon a stool, and eyed the two. His bronze face was paler than usual, and his face twitched in an agitated manner.
"Where did that cub come from?" he at length demanded.
"What cub?"
"Oh, you know. That young cuss with old Dan. What's he doin' here?"
"How in h— do I know," replied Bill, somewhat nettled at the other's surly manner.
"But ye ought to know. It's yer bizness to know. Here I've been out in the blazin' sun all day watchin' the trail, while you've been skulkin' here in this hole."
"Well, suppose we have, ye needn't git so tarnal ugly. We've been doin' nothin', 'bout same as you. There was nothin' fer us to do but wait."
Nick tapped the floor with his boots for a minute or two lost in thought.