"Shore I will, an' glad to."
Loudon dropped the lady's hand as if it had been a hot iron, and departed. He had no intention of going near the house of Mrs. Mace. He never wanted to see Kate Saltoun again.
In the street he found Scotty nervously awaiting him.
"Git yore hoss," said Scotty, "an' let's git out o' here."
"What's all the hurry?" queried Loudon.
"That female girl in the hotel. She'll be out in a minute, an' then yuh'll have to introduce me."
"She's Kate Saltoun, Scotty."
"Old Salt's daughter! It don't sound possible. An' him with a face like a grizzly. She's shorely four aces, Tom, an' as pretty as a little red wagon. But I ain't aimin' to make her acquaintance, an' yuh can gamble on that."
Happily for Scotty's peace of mind he and Loudon left Rocket twenty minutes ahead of the stage.
The drummer watched the departure of the stage with brooding eyes. When the dust in the street had settled he had another drink at the bar and ensconced himself in a corner of the barroom where he could glower unobserved at the landlord.