A clerk came to take her order and she ignored Cultus, who went outside. He sat down on a bench and rolled a cigarette. The two horses from the JK ranch were tied in front of the store, but Cultus surmised that Harry was across the street at the War Dance Saloon.
The streets of Medicine Tree were not lighted, except what little illumination they received from lighted windows. A few minutes later Jane came out. She did not see Cultus, as she halted at the edge of the sidewalk, as though waiting for Harry to join her.
Finally she stepped out to her horse and tied her few packages to the saddle. Cultus saw a rider pass the lights of a window farther down the street, and as this rider came within the illumination from the War Dance Saloon Cultus saw that it was Blaze Nolan. Jane had seen him too. Blaze rode on past them, into the lights of the hotel, where he turned sharply to the right, taking the road which led to the Triangle X. There could be no mistake about his destination, as that road did not lead to any other place.
For several moments after his disappearance Jane still stood there beside her horse. Then she quickly untied the animal, swung into the saddle and followed Blaze Nolan. Cultus got quickly to his feet. He had never been to the Triangle X, but he had seen the men who worked there, and he did not think it a safe place for any lady at night. After a moment of indecision he hurried across the street and down to the livery stable, where he quickly saddled his horse and took the road to the Triangle X.
It was less than two miles from Medicine Tree to the Triangle X ranch. Blaze did not hurry. He had no idea that any one was following him, nor did he have any fear of trouble with Marsh or his men. He knew that Kendall Marsh was cold-blooded in all his dealings, but he did not fear Marsh. But Blaze didn’t know what to do; so he decided to let things go according to fate.
Butch Van Deen met him at the doorway of the ranch-house. It was their first meeting since Blaze had refused to shake hands with Alden Marsh.
“Lookin’ for yuh,” said Butch shortly, and stepped aside to let Blaze walk in.
Kendall Marsh was seated on an old couch, smoking a cigar, while near the fireplace sat Della, the dance-hall girl from the War Dance Saloon. Blaze looked sharply at both of them as Marsh motioned him to a chair midway between them. Butch stopped near the door, while Mac Rawls squatted on his heels beside the door which led to the dining-room.
“Well, I’m glad to see you again, Nolan,” said Kendall Marsh.
“I wonder how much truth is in that statement?” smiled Blaze.