Cole's first impulse was to turn on his heel and run to the tent to bear the startling news to his chief. But he resisted it, entering the street from the station which he followed till he came to the next block, dividing his attention between the girl and the men.
Twice the latter looked over their shoulders as the bandit trailed them.
"Those are detectives or I don't know one," mused the eldest of the Younger brothers. "I guess the lawyer business can wait."
Never had a block seemed so long to the outlaw, who was impatient to announce to his pals the unexpected complication that confronted them, as did the one between where he had met the young woman and the next.
But at last he turned into the side street and without a glance in the direction of the persons whose appearance had so upset him, Cole continued his leisurely gait till he felt that he was beyond their sight, then quickly lengthened his stride.
Approaching the tent, he noticed, with a feeling of relief, that the horses they had purchased had been delivered.
"Thank goodness they're here," he muttered, then as he arrived at the flap cried in a low voice, "let me in, quick!"
Realizing from the excitement in the tone that something untoward had happened, Jesse hurriedly admitted his chum.
"What is it?" he demanded, noticing the worried look in the latter's eyes.