With which Tuckleton was forced to be satisfied.
That night Tip O'Gorman had a long talk with Billy Wingo. Tip did not tell him all he knew, by any means. Such was not his custom. To understand Tip one had to do a deal of reading between the lines. But when Tip went home, he carried with him the belief that Billy understood perfectly the desires and aims of the county machine and would be a willing worker.
Billy sat looking up at the ceiling for quite a long time after Tip was gone. Finally he laughed silently.
"Tip, you're an old scoundrel," he said aloud, "but I can't help liking you, just the same. I hope I don't have to step too hard on your toes."
CHAPTER SEVEN
RAFE'S IDEA
"Tell you what, Jonesy," said Rafe, "this ranch needs a mistress."
Jonesy laughed as at a pleasantry and continued to talk of the mischance in the matter of young Dawson.
"I mean it," interrupted Rafe, wagging his head. "I'm tired of living single."