As Steve followed a smile was in his eyes, a smile slowly parting his lips.
"The scoundrel was right!" he mused. "And I hadn't even thought of it. Now how the devil do you suppose he knew?"
And then, before he had gone a dozen yards a curious, puzzled, uncertain look come into his face.
"If he knows," was his perplexity, "Does she?"
CHAPTER XIX
TERRY CONFRONTS HELL-FIRE PACKARD
"Father's got it in his head he is going to die!" cried Terry. "He sha'n't. I won't let him!"
Steve Packard, riding into Red Creek, met Terry coming out. She was just starting, her car gathering speed; seeing him she drew down abruptly.
"I left him at the store," she added breathlessly. "He is sick. They are friends there; they'll take care of him. He knows you are coming; he has promised to do business with you and shut Blenham out of the running. You are to hurry before Blenham gets there—he's across the street at the saloon already. After his money, I guess; next thing, unless you block his play, he'll be standing over poor old dad's bed, bullyragging him. Come alive, Steve Packard, and beat him to it."