“But they’re not much of a dancing crowd.”
“You bet they are!––when it suits them. You never saw a crowd of cowpunchers that weren’t.
“I have the keys to the O.K. Supply Company’s Warehouse on the tracks. Are you game for a nose around, just to see if there’s anything doing?”
“What’s the good of worrying over a thing like that to-night, Jim? Let’s forget it and have a good time.”
Jim laughed. “Well,––I’m going anyway. Say, Phil! I’ve not only got the keys to the O. K. Warehouse, but I have keys that fit Brenchfield’s and the Pioneer Traders’ as well.”
“Better watch you don’t get pinched yourself,” Phil cautioned.
“De’il the fear o’ it, Phil! But I’m going to get one over that bunch if it is only to satisfy my own Scotch inquisitiveness. At the same time, I would like to help out Morrison of the O.K. Company. He’s a good old scout, and this thieving is gradually sucking him white. Palmer and his crowd don’t seem to be able to make anything of it––or don’t want to––yet it has been going on for years.”
“I should like to come,” Phil answered, “only I’ve promised to have another dance with Miss Pederstone, and I couldn’t possibly think of disappointing myself in the matter. Give me a line on where you’ll be, and I’ll come along and join you as soon as that particular dance is over. Won’t you stick around till then, and we can go together?” he suggested.
“No! I have a kind of hunch there is things doing. You hurry along as soon as you can. Keep your eyes open and, if all is quiet, come round to the track door of the middle Warehouse, Brenchfield’s. You should be up there by eleven-thirty. I’ll be there then, sharp at that time, and will let you in if all is jackaloorie.”