"Phil Bedford, by all that's wonderful!" he exclaimed. "I didn't think that you and I would ever meet in Mexico, but when the call came I couldn't keep away!"
Then he lowered his tone and asked:
"Any news of John?"
Phil shook his head sadly.
"Not a thing," he replied, "but I'm going to find him!"
"I believe you will," said Harrington, "but your search is going to be delayed, Phil. You'll have to wait for something else that none of us will ever forget. But, Phil, you've landed among friends. Lots of the boys that you used to know in Paris and around there are here."
As Phil rode on, the truth of Harrington's words was confirmed. Tan and dust did not keep strong, hearty voices from hailing him.
"Hey, you, Phil Bedford, where did you come from?"
"Is that old Phil Bedford? Did he drop from the clouds?"
"Here, Phil, shake hands with an old friend!"