“Mebbe so. But, son, yuh’re runnin’ agin’ somethin’ that’s big an’ hard when yuh tackle Spur,” Bill warned.
“Sure—but a wolf can drag down a bull moose,” Allen replied and smiled. After they had turned the horses into the big pasture, he added: “This bein’ Saturday, the bunch will be headin’ for town. I’m goin’ to have Doc pull a tooth for me. Yuh want to meet me there?”
“So that’s why yuh got a toothache so suddenlike?” the old-timer asked.
“Them twins is darn suspicious, so I figgered it would cover my face likewise.”
“Yuh watch them twins. Arizona says yuh is quick like a snake, but there is two of ’em,” the old man warned.
“Arizona—he knows me?”
“Not him, but his brother down in Cannondale knows yuh plenty. He wrote how yuh had yourself tossed through the window and cleaned out a bunch of woman stealers across the border. If half what he wrote’s the truth, I’m sayin’ yuh’ve got nerve aplenty,” Bill McAllister said admiringly.
“Shucks! Yuh’re too ol’ to talk such loose language,” Allen answered irritably.
CHAPTER XXII
ON SQUINT’S TRAIL
Doc Hollis’ house was at the far end of town. It was small and set quite a way back from the street. Shortly after dark that night, Allen pushed open the gate and walked up the path. On the porch he stood and listened for a moment. He had no reason to fear a trap, but his life had taught him the cautiousness of a wolf. He waited for a moment and then knocked on the door. Doc Hollis opened it, and Allen entered the small living room where he found Bill McAllister before him.