My friends often hint——”

The wails ceased. A moment’s silence ensued. Then the door was suddenly opened, and:

“Come right in, pardners,” said a voice. “Everything’s free!”

CHAPTER XV
THE WHITE SCAR

They were two very startled youths who leaped back as the door unexpectedly opened and who, for a breathless instant, gazed speechlessly at the man confronting them. He was tall, wide-shouldered and narrow-hipped, with a frank, good-looking face, clean-shaven, on which at the moment a quizzical smile rested. He had laid aside coat and vest, and under the uprolled sleeves of his white shirt his long arms showed muscles like whip-cords. It was Fudge who found his voice first.

“I—I—W-w-we——”

“No savvy, hombre. Start again.”

“W-we were j-j-just list-list-list——”

“Listening,” said Perry helpfully.