“Keno.”
Again the door opened and closed, this time with Nomad and Little Cayuse on the other side of it.
The scout returned to his chair.
“Now that your Dutch pard’s safety is concerned, Buffalo Bill,” said McGowan, “I suppose that you’ll hook-up with me and help run down those red bullion thieves?”
“My pard’s safety must not enter into the question,” returned Buffalo Bill. “He’s the victim of foul play, and his liberty ought not to be imperiled for a moment.”
“You bank heavy on your pards!”
“I never let a man into the inner circle until I know I can bank heavy on him. I’ll admit, McGowan, that since my talk with you this morning, I am more inclined to give you my aid than I was before.”
McGowan began to expand, and to congratulate himself.
“Faith, it’s your strong arm we need,” said he. “It’s a hefty fist you have, Buffalo Bill, and a sharp mind back of it.”
“Thanks,” said the scout dryly. “If I did not bank a little on you, McGowan, I might suspect that this was a put-up job, of which you were fully cognizant.”