Hardly had he left the saloon when the door was opened, and much to the astonishment of the men at the round tables a young lady, plainly dressed, stepped in. It was Gertrude.
"I say, that's a fine girl," remarked one of the men, a rounder named Worden. "She's a new one around here, aint she?"
"Reckon she is," returned another.
"How do you do, miss?" went on the first man, getting up and tipping his hat.
"Excuse me, sir," said the girl. "Is Mr. Pepper in?"
"Yes, here he comes now," answered Con Worden, and fell back to the table again, followed by his companion.
"You are Mr. Sam Pepper?" said Gertrude timidly. The general appearance of the place frightened her.
"That's my name, miss. But you've got the advantage of me."
"I am Gertrude Horton."