“Ain’t I to go with you? I got a gun.”
“You’re to do as I say. What kind of a soldier would you make if you can’t obey orders? I’m running this. If you don’t like it trot along home.”
“Oh, I’ll stay,” agreed the crestfallen youth.
Maloney met them in front of the Jack of Hearts.
“Dick, you go with me inside. Uncle Alec, will you keep guard outside?”
“No, bub, I won’t. I knew Luck before you were walking bowlegged,” the old cattleman answered brusquely.
Curly grinned. “All right. Don’t blame me if you get shot up.”
Mrs. Wylie’s startled eyes told tales when she saw the three men. Her face was ashen.
“I’m here to play trumps, Mrs. Wylie. What secret has the Jack of Hearts got hidden from us?” young Flandrau demanded, his hard eyes fastened to her timorous ones.
“I—I—I don’t know what you mean.”