“We believe that it would be much better for your health if you went away at once,” Duff insisted, with a mildness that did not disguise his meaning in the least.
Tom deemed it not worth while to pretend any longer that he did not understand.
“Oh, then it's a case of 'Here's your hat. What's your hurry?'” asked Reade smilingly.
“Something in that line,” assented Jim Duff. “I venture to assure you that we are quite in earnest in our anxiety for your welfare, Mr. Reade.”
“Whom do you men represent?” asked Tom.
“The citizens of Paloma,” returned Duff.
“All of them?” Reade insisted.
“All of them—with few exceptions.”
“I understand you, of course,” Tom nodded.
“Now, Mr. Duff, I'll tell you what I propose. I'm curious to know just how many there are on your side of the fence. Pardon me, but I really can't quite believe that the better citizens of this town are behind you. I know too many Arizona men, and I have too good an opinion of them. Your kind of crowd makes a lot of noise at times, and the other kind of Arizona crowd rarely makes any noise. I know, of course, the element in the town that your committee represents, but I don't believe that your element is by any means in the majority here.”