‘Old Bob always kept track of Monte on Bart’s account. He used to bring me translations from the Mexican papers, how Monte had burned this, and beaten his way through that, and how the rurales had just missed capturin’ him. If I was you, I wouldn’t try to cross the Border straight down from here. Ride east for three or four days, takin’ your time and make your crossing at Nogales. You’ll be able to get in there, more quiet and unwatched, and you’re more apt to be closer to the scene of operations of the man you’re lookin’ for. It won’t be long before you’ll be hearin’ of Monte Vallejo’s doings. He’s ’specially active right now. If Bart’s still with him—that’s another thing. Anyway take it easy, an’ take your time—’
‘I know that road south of Tucson to Nogales—worked at Heaslep’s drivin’ a truck,’ said Elbert, ‘I might stop off for a day or two to see a couple of friends of mine—’
‘So long as you don’t tell anybody what you’re out on,’ warned Mr. Cotton. ‘I’m sure Bob would have advised you this way—if he’d had time.’
‘I’ll be careful about that,’ Elbert said, and yet his pulse pricked up at the thought of another sight of Cal and Slim.
VIII
HEASLEP’S AGAIN
He was actually on the Road, traveling east toward Tucson, Mamie showing up from hour to hour a little better than he could ask or expect. Elbert had to keep telling himself that there was no hurry, no stress, but the urges of all past years rose up in him, trying to make him believe that everything was ahead, instead of here and now.
Expense money to work with, a gold mine back of him; best of all, there was a purpose to carry out; a meaning back of his setting forth. Had he tried to plan it all before leaving the East, he couldn’t have arranged an adventure half so satisfactory as this—not just an aimless ride, no mere purposeless freedom. By some marvelous destiny he had come into the right to venture forth—a quest to work toward, an allegiance to make good with Mr. Leadley and his son, with silence on his tongue all the way.
No, he was not to tell any one—not even Cal and Slim, if they were still at Heaslep’s.
He reached the main buildings of the big ranch shortly after noon, five leisurely days of riding from San Forenso. Approaching the ‘Office,’ faces looked out from cook-house, farrier shop, and other doors and windows. Elbert waved and nodded, but there was no flare of welcome, no adequate answer for him—all eyes fixed on what he rode. He had to wait a minute for Frost-face, who appeared from his back room, nodding curtly. He moved at once to the outer door, where his sleety gaze fixed on Mamie at the far end of the rail.
‘Your’n?’ he asked.