I posted the three in the small alley which ran between the "Sepulchre" saloon and the post office beyond it. Then I went out to guard Balshannon. Being naturally a timid and cautious man, I had a brace of revolvers belted on ready for trouble.
Meanwhile young Crook in the front of the house was sitting all doubled up with grief at the sight of Michael Ryan.
"Boy," says Jim, "what's the matter?"
"Nothin'."
"How is it, young un, that you know all about my father's affairs and mine?"
"I expaict," says that one-eyed cripple, "that working my job at the livery I'd oughter know what comes and goes around heah."
"Is that why you're there—to watch?"
Crook went white at that. "You're dreaming," says he, very faint.
"And you're lending me the buckskin running mare for to-night. I've heard of that mare. Is that the sort of thing to lend to a stranger?"
"Well, seh, even a hired man may have his private feelings."