But just a few minutes before the Tumbling H men had reached the lookout point, Faro Lanning had ridden up to the Rancho Sierra. He had been passed by the guards, who knew him, and had told them to keep a good watch.
And he had walked into the ranch-house only to find the K-10 gang making merry over their meal.
“What in hell are you doin’ down here?” demanded Baldy.
“Riding around,” said Lanning uneasily. “Where’s Torres?”
One of the men indicated Torres, asleep on the table. Lanning shook him, but Torres merely grunted and continued to snore.
“C’mon and have drink,” invited Kohler. “What the hell, we’re all good fellers together.”
“All right.”
Lanning realized that they were all half-drunk. He accepted a bottle and cup and sat down at the table.
“This is all right,” said Baldy seriously, “but what are you doin’ here, Faro? What’s the idea?”
“I might ask the same question, if I was curious.”