A curious gleam shone in MacNutt’s eyes for an instant, as he was ordered by Tug to keep six paces in advance of him. On the way to the ranch house, a close observer would have noticed that not a single item of the plans of the buildings or out-houses of the ranch had escaped MacNutt’s notice. Although his eyes held their dull sleepy look, they sought out every object of importance. A group of cowboys were watching the approach and one of them walked out rapidly to meet them. He proved to be Ricker.
“What have we here, Tug?” he demanded, with a suspicious look at MacNutt.
“Claims he knows Jean Barry and wants to see him,” Tug answered tersely.
Ricker scowled darkly.
“Jean is down to the corral. Go get him and see if he knows this fellow,” he ordered Tug, while watching MacNutt sharply.
Tug soon returned in company with a cowboy.
“Jean, do you know this man?” Ricker question with a wave of his hand toward MacNutt.
“Shore, I know him, he’s all right,” the man Jean answered without an instant’s hesitation.
Ricker looked immensely relieved.
“All right, take him to the ranch and make him acquainted with the boys. I’ll hold you responsible for him. We are going to have rifle and revolver practice in a few minutes, maybe your friend would like to join us,” he said, addressing Jean and giving MacNutt another sharp look.