Glass opened his mouth, and when no sound issued, nodded.
"And you understand?"
Again the trainer bobbed his head. The pipe-stem had cut off all power of speech, and he knew himself dumb for life.
"Then I guess that's all. It's up to you." Willie replaced his gun, and the fat man threatened to fall. "Come on, boys!" The cowboys filed out silently, but on the threshold Willie paused and darted a venomous glance at his enemy. "Don't forget what I said about Mr. Colt and the equality of man."
"Yes, sir!—yes, ma'am!" ejaculated the frightened trainer, nervously. When they were gone he collapsed.
"They are rather severe, aren't they?" ventured Fresno.
"Severe!" cried the unhappy man. "Why, Speed can't—" He was about to explain everything when the memory of Willie's words smote him like a blow. That fiend had threatened to kill him, Lawrence Glass, without preliminary if it became evident that a fraud had been practiced. Manifestly this was no place for hysterical confidences. Larry's mouth closed like a trap, while the Californian watched him intently. At length he did speak, but in a strangely softened tone, and at utter variance with his custom.
"Say, Mr. Fresno! Which direction is New York?"
"That way." Fresno pointed to the east, and the other man stared longingly out through the bunk-house window.
"It's quite a walk, ain't it?"