Those who happened to be standing in the room held their breath, for in that menacing, steady glare they recognized battle.
The clerk gasped and stammered, "I didn't mean anything."
"That's all right. You're lately from the East, or you wouldn't get gay with strangers in this country. See if there is any mail for Mose Harding—or Harry Excell."
"Sorry, sir—nothing for Mr. Harding, nothing for Mr. Excell."
Mose turned back to the desk and scrawled a short letter to Jack Burns asking him to let him know at once where Mary was, and whether it would be safe for him to visit her.
As he went out in the street to mount his horse the marshal met him again, and Mose, irritated and hungry, said sharply:
"See here, pardner, you act most cussedly like a man keeping watch on me."
The marshal hastened to say, "Nothing of the kind. I like you, that's all. I want to talk with you—in fact I'm under orders from the princess to help you get a job if you want one. I've got an offer now. The Express Company want you to act as guard between here and Cañon City. Pay is one hundred dollars a month, ammunition furnished."
Mose threw out his hand. "I'll do it—take it all back."
The marshal shook hands without resentment, considering the apology ample, and together they sauntered down the street.