“The house ain’t in no condition to receive visitors,” explained the ranchman.
“Oh, no matter,” said Tom.
“Yes, but it does matter. You can just stay here until I get things in a little more ship-shape order—understan’?”
Without ceremony, Hank Styles abruptly turned and reëntered the house.
“You’re a jolly nice lot,” began Larry.
“Just close down on any talk of that sort,” snapped Tom. “Don’t you see something queer in the way that man’s acting?”
“I don’t wonder at it, after the way you’re actin’.”
“You leave things to us.”
The blond lad looked at Tom in wonderment.
“What’s the matter?” he demanded.