“So say I,” laughed Bob.
“Ah! He come now,” said Thunderbolt, suddenly. “Him much little fellow.”
A man had appeared in the doorway, and after gazing long and earnestly at the approaching horsemen, stepped down and walked toward them with long, swinging strides.
“Thank goodness,” exclaimed Tom. “In luck at last. Good-afternoon, Mr. Styles,” he added, raising his voice. “We’ve come to see you on important business. What do you know about Jed Warren?”
CHAPTER XIX
BOB RIDES ALONE
The ranchman, at this salutation, stopped short and stood looking fixedly at them.
“How do you do, sir?” said Dave, politely.
“Well, what do you want?” demanded Hank Styles. “What do you want, I say?”
There was such ungraciousness expressed in his manner and tone that the boys felt considerably surprised—a surprise which prevented them from replying until the ranchman had spoken again.
“Can’t you answer a civil question?” he snarled.