"You've talked things over with Mr. Cumberland?" he asked.
"We had a long talk," nodded Dan. "You was wrong about him, doc. He thinks he can do without me."
"What?" cried Kate.
"He thinks he can do without me," said Dan Barry. "We talked it all over."
The silence fell again. Kate Cumberland was staring blankly down at her plate, seeing nothing; and Doctor Byrne looked straight before him and felt the pulse drumming in his throat. His chance, then, was to come. By this time the marshal had recovered his breath.
He said to Dan: "Seems like you been away some time, Dan. Where you been hangin' out?"
"I been ridin' about," answered Dan vaguely.
"Well," chuckled the marshal, "I'm glad they ain't no more Jim Silents about these parts—not while you're here and while I'm here. You kept things kind of busy for Glasgow, Dan."
He turned to Kate, who had pushed back her chair.
"What's the matter, Kate?" he boomed. "You ain't lookin' any too tip-top. Sick?"