“Come in, Hamp!” cried Jerry, breaking off his words the moment his eyes had fallen on the man. “You’re just from the Star-A ranch?”
Hamp pushed into the room and stood staring grimly from Lige to Jerry, snapping at his leg with his quirt.
“That’s whar I’m from,” he answered.
“You watched the place, Hamp?”queried the hunchback eagerly.
“Shore I did, all last night an’ half the forenoon. When somethin’ happened I thort ye wanted ter know. I come right hyer with it.”
“No one saw you watching the place, Hamp?”
“Nary a soul.”
“Who’s there?”
“Buffler Bill an’ pards, Mr. an’ Mrs. Dunbar, an’ Perry.”
Lige Benner scowled at mention of Mrs. Dunbar.