"I aim to. Did you see anything of Buck Hardy on the way down?"
"Hardy? Why, no. But I rode part way with his deputy. He's due here some time to-day."
"That bein' the case," said Lorry, swinging to the saddle, "I reckon I'll hunt up Bud Shoop. Thanks for my horse. Mebby I'll be back in this town in two, three days." And he was gone.
Waring dropped Dex's reins. "Got a minute to spare, Torrance?"
"Yes, indeed. You're looking well, Jim."
In the office they shook hands again.
"It's a long time," said Torrance, proffering a cigar. "You were punching cattle for the Box S and I was a forest ranger those days. Did Mexico get too hot?"
"Warm. What's the boy doing down here?"
"He seems to be keeping out of the way of the sheriff," laughed
Torrance. "Incidentally he applied for a position as ranger."
"Did he? I'm glad of that. I was afraid he might get to riding the high trails. He's got it in him."