Mrs. Crump led the exodus. Beside her own car and that of Coravel Tio, a third car was standing; a hired car from Magdalena, the same which had brought Mackintavers on the previous day. From this car alighted a man who carried a suitcase and bag, upon each of which were printed the letters J. Z. P. He was a man of citified aspect, and he approached the party clumped around the shack doorway with a stiff gaze and a businesslike air.
“I am looking for a lady by the name of Crump, Mrs. Crump,” said he, setting down his suitcase and doffing his hat to the lady in question. “I presume that you are the lady named; if so you may be expecting me. My name is James Z. Premble.”
Mrs. Crump recovered from her surprise and stepped forward.
“I’m her,” she announced. “Glad to meet ye, Premble. Here, let me heft them grips inside the shack.”
Gilbert, however, was ahead of her in the task. But James Z. Premble disregarded them both. He had come to a staring pause. Across his city-pale features swept an expression of amazement and gusty anger. His eyes were fastened upon Sandy Mackintavers, and back at him was staring Mackintavers, wearing a look of consternation. Mr. Premble lifted one arm and shook a milk-white fist in air.
“You low-down hound!” he snapped at Sandy. “Didn’t I warn you to keep away from me? What are you trying to——”
“Shut your fool mouth!” roared Mackintavers. “No need of airing things here.”
“I’ll say what I dashed please!” affirmed Premble, glaring. “I suppose you own this place, eh? I suppose you told some lying tale and these people swallowed it! Well, you can’t shut me up. You can’t gag me! You’re about the worst swindler that ever kept out of State’s prison, get that? You may be running this place, but you’ll not run me.”
“Hush up, pilgrim!” Mrs. Crump stepped in front of Premble and assumed charge of the situation. “Hush up! Sandy don’t own this place, and he ain’t runnin’ nothin’. You a friend of his?”
“Friend? Friend?” Mr. Premble hoarsely gasped the word. “I wouldn’t be his friend if he would give me a million dollars! I wouldn’t be his friend if I was the last man and he was the last woman on earth! Why, that rogue played the worst low-down trick on me over in El Paso that——”