“It put us on record, that’s all. It’s mighty important, sometimes, to let people know where you stand.”
“Correct, again. But listen. Didn’t Colonel Billings pull a gun on you, Matt, before he left the office? Seems to me I remember that.”
“He pulled a gun, Joe; but I don’t know what he intended to do with it.”
“Then I’ll put you next, pard. He intended to play even with you.”
“Or you,” answered Matt.
“Not me,” insisted Joe. “The colonel knows I haven’t got sense enough to make him much trouble. But he’s afraid of Matt King. Look out for him, pard.”
“The colonel has his orders to leave town, and——”
“That doesn’t mean that he’ll go. During the two weeks I’m holding down this nice little bed here, you keep both eyes skinned for Colonel Mark Antony Billings. He’s liable to show his hand when you’re not thinking he’s within a thousand miles of you. Pretty sudden, the colonel is. He sprang a surprise on us when we got to the Country Club and found him there to meet us instead of Joshua Griggs. That’s a sample of the way he does things, Matt. You look out for him.”
“That will do now,” said the doctor authoritatively. “You’ve talked more than you ought to.”
“When’ll you blow in here again, pard?” added McGlory, reaching out his hand.