"I really would, or I wouldn't have asked you," Scotty returned, with equal directness.
Ben took the proffered chair, and crossed his legs comfortably. The two sat for a moment in silent companionship.
"Tell me about Rankin," suggested Scotty at last.
Ben did so. It did not take long, for he scarcely mentioned himself, and quite omitted that last incident of which Grannis had been witness.
"And—the man who shot him?" Scotty found it a bit difficult to put the query into words.
"They swung him a few days later. Things move rather fast out there when they move at all."
"Were 'they' the cowboys?"
"No, the sheriff and the rest. It was all regular—scarcely any spectators, even, I heard."
"And now about yourself. Shall you be in the city long?"
"I hardly know. I came partly on business—but that won't take me long." He looked at his host significantly. "I also had another purpose in coming."