Murray looked from Bill Hobbs to Claire, and choked down the questions that rose to his lips.
"Now," said the girl quietly. "I'll get my things in a few minutes."
Murray scratched his red thatch, more embarrassed and put to confusion than he cared to admit. This thing was preposterous on its face! No reason assigned--nothing but the request to take this girl away out there to the Morongo Valley, for an indefinite stay!
He looked helplessly at Bill Hobbs. "Willyum, can you take care of Sandy?"
"I am at your service, Miss Lee," said Murray.
"You--you are very good, Doctor," she said, and he thought that her lip trembled. "I'll be ready in five minutes."
"Very well. I'll meet you behind the hotel, at my car--it's the one stacked with supplies in the back seat."
She turned and left the print shop. Bill Hobbs looked at Murray bewilderedly.
"How the devil do I know?" Murray swore in puzzled disgust.
"Looked to me like she'd been cryin', Doc."
Murray swore again, and started for the door.
"Come on and help me throw some things together--put one of those extra gas cans in the back of my car, will you? Fortunately she's full up on everything. And you'll have to get Sandy's money before the sheriff gets it----"
They crossed to the hotel, and while he prepared for the trip, Murray instructed his henchman, whom he placed in charge of the mutual funds, to explain matters to Sandy and to do whatever might be possible.
The two men descended to the car, which was already filled with a mass of supplies made ready by Murray and Sandy against their return to the valley on a prolonged prospecting trip. Willyum turned over the engine, and as he did so, Claire appeared, bearing only a small handbag.
The anxiety in her countenance broke in a smiling greeting, and she climbed in beside Murray. The latter shoved down on his pedal and sent the flivver toward the street. He waved a hasty farewell to Bill Hobbs; and as he did so, a backward glance showed him the tall figure of Doctor Scudder, standing in the doorway of the hotel and gazing after them. Somehow, the remembrance of that impassive, high-browed, jet-bearded figure left a feeling of disquiet within him.
Not until they had left Two Palms behind them, was the silence broken. Then Murray, seeing Claire's handkerchief going to her eyes, put on the brakes.