O’Connor got the Circle C on long distance. It was the clear contralto of a woman that answered his “Hello!”
“Is this Miss Cullison?” he asked. Almost at once he added: “O’Connor of the rangers is speaking. I’ve heard your father is home again. Is that true?”
An interval followed during which the ranger officer was put into the role of a listener. His occasional “Yes——Yes——Yes” punctuated the rapid murmur that reached Fendrick.
Presently Bucky asked a question. “On his way to town now?”
Again the rapid murmur.
“I’ll attend to that, Miss Cullison. I am in Fendrick’s room now. Make your mind easy.”
Bucky hung up and turned to the sheepman. The latter showed him a face of derision. He had gathered one thing that disquieted him, but he did not intend to let O’Connor know it.
“Well?” he jeered. “Find friend Cullison in tolerable health?”
“I’ve been talking with his daughter.”
“I judged as much. Miss Spitfire well?”