She must take him home with her, of course, and feed and rest him. That went without saying. But what after that? He knew too much to be turned adrift with the story of what he had seen. If she could get a hold on him—whether of fear or of gratitude—so as to insure his silence, the truth might yet be kept quiet. At least she could try.
“Did you ever ride the range?”
“No.”
“What sort of work have you done?”
After a scarcely noticeable pause, “Clerical work,” he answered. 26
“You’re from the East?” she suggested, her eyes narrowing.
“Yes.”
“My name is Melissy Lee,” she told him, watching him very steadily.
Once more the least of pauses. “Mine is Diller—James Diller.”
“That’s funny. I know another man of that name. At least, I know him by sight.”