"Sure; I reckon yer 'd a been hoofin' it up the road long afore this
otherwise. Still, I dunno," with a suggestive wink, "I 've got a
likin' fer pretty girls."

I glanced at her, where she had sank down on a dilapidated sofa, but no
expression of her face told me she had overheard. It was the man's
wink, more than his language, which angered me.

"Cut out your references to the lady," I said in a low tone, "unless
you are starting in for trouble."

"Oh, skittish, hey! Wal, stranger, I never run away frum no troble
yet, an' I reckon I don't begin now. Besides, yer need n't ride no
high hoss with me. I 'm on ter your game."

His words sufficed to silence my batteries. I felt no fear of the man,
big as he was and armed, but the thought that he might have been sent
there by either Neale or Vail, and informed of the conspiracy, made me
cautious about angering him. I must discover first the exact situation
before locking horns with this Texas steer.

"Oh, do you!" I returned carelessly. "All right, then, we 'll let it
go at that; only please remember the lady is under my protection. What
is your name?"

"Coombs," in better humor, feeling he had bluffed me. "Bill Coombs."

"Can we have a bit of lunch?"