The next day alone in the mountains, Elbert found that the old story of Red Ante was slipping out from him—that it didn’t hurt any more, that it would be difficult, and likely unnecessary, ever to talk about it again.
XXVIII
‘LIKE THE VIRGIN SPEAKING—’
Finally came the night when Bart said he would be ready to ride within a week, but just then they heard a light step in the next room, and Elbert’s voice became very hushed.
‘I’ve been looking for a way north through the mountains. My idea is to take it easy, riding nights—keeping our eyes on—’
‘On what?’ Bart asked.
‘On the north star,’ in embarrassed tone.
‘Why, we’re not thirty miles from the Border right now. We can do it in a night.’
‘But I’ve been thinking we’d better not enter Arizona on any of the regular roads—and there’s quite a ride west after that—’
Señorita Valencia was in the doorway.
‘You’re the doctor!’ Bart laughed.