For a moment the two men conferred eagerly.
Unobserved by them, meantime, a man had entered the hotel and was standing at the cigar case, at one side of the desk. He was buying cigars. He was roughly dressed, but spoke perfect English. When he turned to the cigar lighter, disclosing his face to view, one could see that he was very swarthy, very dark of colour—an Indian, perhaps.
This man straightened up, puffing at his cigar. His eyes flitted to the little battered suitcase, which reposed on the hat rack, and dwelt there; thus dwelling, his eyes narrowed slightly. He turned and left the hotel.
“Who? Him?” said the hotel proprietor in response to a question from a man near by. “Why, he’s Thomas Twofork; yep, an Injun, from Cochiti pueblo, I hear. Been in town two-three days now. Got money, they say, heaps of it.”
Ignorant of what had transpired in the lobby, Thady Shea was glad when his companions rejoined him and sat down to their interrupted repast. Fred Ross broached the subject of departure; he broached it with elaborate carelessness.
“Bill is headin’ for home right away,” he said, “and he goes within thirty mile, more or less, of where your mine’s located, Shea. If you figger on walking, that would be a good lift. If you go back with me to-morrow, you won’t get near so nigh home.”
“Oh!” Thady Shea saw no guile; he looked gratefully surprised, and felt it. He had anticipated a long trip via Zacaton City. That route would be attended with dangers from Dorales or the latter’s men, besides having the expense of a car to take him to Number Sixteen.
“Oh! I’d be glad indeed—but do you have to leave to-night?”
“You bet,” said Murray, emphatically. “The minute I get this here pie down. I got the ol’ car all ready to hike, and I’m goin’ to hike some. I aim to get home about sun-up, sleep two-three hours, then get to work on the paper. She’s got to be run off to-morrow night, see? And I’d sure be glad o’ your company, Shea. It’s a lonesome trip at night from here over through Datil Cañon and all.”
Surely, thought Shea, here was fate aiding him! Barely had he resolved to seek Mrs. Crump and the mine, than this opportunity offered. A walk of a few miles did not worry him in the least.