They walked down to the stable, where Harry gave the roan a feed of oats before they walked on into the patio, where Collins took off his spurs and unbuckled his chaps. Then he slipped off his cartridge belt and hung it across the railing along with his chaps.
“Can I wash out here at the well?” he asked.
“Shore.”
Little José, the Mexican house-boy, was in the doorway.
“Bring the gentleman a towel, José,” ordered Harry. “Toalla, pronto.”
“Si, si.”
Collins grinned widely and walked to the well, while Harry went up to see his father on the upper verandah.
“Who came from the Pass?” asked Jim Kelton. “José saw him from the roof.”
“Said his name was Collins, dad. You better come down and talk with him. Came from Marshville, and if he ain’t a character, I’ve never seen one.”
“Marshville, eh? Probably a spy for Kendall Marsh. Yes. I’ll talk with him. Harry, I’ve got a job for yuh, after this man is gone. I’m goin’ to hold a meetin’ here soon. The men of this valley must know what we know about Marsh and Nolan. Help me down the stairs.”