"And then," he added, "if it ever comes to that...."
He snapped his fingers and turned away abruptly, as if the thought brought a great uneasiness.
CHAPTER VII
TONGUES WAG
It was afternoon the next day that Bruce Bayard, swinging down from his horse, whipped the dust from his clothing with his hat and walked through the kitchen door of the Manzanita House.
"Hello, Nora," he said to the girl who approached him. "Got a little clean water for a dirty cow puncher?"
He kicked out of his chaps and, dropping his hat to the floor, reached for the dipper. The girl, after a brief greeting, stood looking at him in perplexed speculation.
"What's wrong, Sister? You look mighty mournful this afternoon!"
"Bruce, what do you know about Ned Lytton?" she asked, cautiously, looking about to see that no one could overhear.