“More of ’em,” said Minky in a low tone, when finally Bill turned back to him.
“Yes. Many while I bin away?”
“Four or five. All––come along fer a game––it seems.” Minky’s eyes were brooding.
Suddenly a light of intelligence sprang into Bill’s thoughtful face.
“Ah, I remember one o’ them. I see him in Spawn City––in a bum gamblin’ dive.”
Sandy suddenly roused to a keen interest.
“Them strangers,” he said––“that ’minds me I was talkin’ to one last night. He was askin’ me when a stage was running from here.”
“What d’you tell him?” demanded Bill quickly, and Minky’s eyes asked the question too.
Sandy laughed conceitedly.
“I sure said ther’ wa’an’t no stages runnin’, with James’ gang around. I wa’an’t goin’ to give nuthin’ away to strangers. Y’see, if I’d pretended we was sendin’ out stages, we’d have that gang hangin’ around waitin’. ’Tain’t no use in gatherin’ wasps around a m’lasses-pot.”