"Looks to me as though Willyum can step right in and take hold," thought Murray. "He can learn to set type easily enough—he'll have to! There's a place to sleep in back, and he can rustle his own meals. I guess Bill can manage."
Returning to the hotel, he took a chair beside Piute and Sandy, and was talking idly when Claire Lee appeared in the doorway.
"Mr. Tomkins!" she exclaimed. "How can I get off some letters and telegrams?"
"Give 'em to me," said Piute. "Stage comes in next week."
"Next week!" Dismay filled the girl's face. "But—but these are important! They must go off at once!"
Piute pulled at his mustache and frowned.
"Sho!" he exclaimed. "If I'd knowed that this mornin', you could ha' sent 'em by Deadoak. He took my hoss an' rode over to Meteorite."
Mackintavers gave Murray a significant glance, followed by a wink.
"But surely," persisted the girl, "there must be some way——"
"There is," said Piute encouragingly. "If ye don't want to take 'em yourself in that car, why, I reckon Shovelface Ryan would saddle up and ride over for five dollars. He's the helper up to the blacksmith shop. Shovelface done set off a blast too soon one time and it plumb disorganized his talkin' and hearin' apparaytus, but if Stiff Enger is around he can interpret for ye."