"Not me," said Lorry. "I stand by what I do."
Waring tried to conceal the smile that crept to his lips. "All right, Lorry. But you'll have to explain to your mother. Better turn your man over to Buck Hardy as soon as you get in town. Where did you pick him up?"
"He was holdin' up some tourists over by the Notch. He changed his mind and came along with me."
Waring rode down the west fork, and Lorry and the tramp continued their journey to Stacey.
Chapter X
East and West
Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk. The Overland had arrived and departed more than an hour ago. She patted her hair, smoothed her apron, and stepped through the dining-room to the office. A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter. Mrs. Adams assured her that there were.
"We had an accident," continued the woman. "I am Mrs. Weston. This is my daughter."
"You are driving overland?"
"We were. We have had a terrible time. A man tried to rob us, and we almost wrecked our car."