."

That was all, but Jake, accustomed to Julian Marbolt's every mood,
read a deal more than the words expressed. He waited for what else
might be coming, but only received a curt dismissal in tones so sharp
that he hurried out of the room precipitately.

Once clear of the verandah he walked more slowly, and his eyes turned
in the direction of the bunkhouse. All the old hatred was stirred
within him as he saw Tresler turn the angle of the building and
disappear within its doorway.

"Guess no one's goin' to see you--after Willow Bluff," he muttered.
"No one."

CHAPTER XV

AT WILLOW BLUFF

Tresler would have liked to see Diane before going out to Willow
Bluff, but reflection showed him how impossible that would be; at
least, how much unnecessary risk it would involve for her. After what
he had just witnessed of her father, it behooved him to do nothing
rashly as far as she was concerned, so he turned his whole attention
to his preparations for departure.

He had made up his mind as to his comrade without a second thought.
Arizona was his man, and he sent the diplomatic Joe out to bring him
in from Pine Creek sloughs, where he was cutting late hay for winter
stores.

In about half an hour the American came in, all curiosity and
eagerness; nor would he be satisfied until he had been told the whole
details of the matter that had led up to the appointment. Tresler kept
back nothing but his private affairs relating to Diane. At the
conclusion of the recital, Arizona's rising temper culminated in an
explosion.

"Say, that feller Jake's a meaner pirate an' cus as 'ud thieve the
supper from a blind dawg an' then lick hell out o' him 'cos he can't
see." Which outburst of feeling having satisfied the necessity of the
moment, he became practical. "An' you're goin', you an' me?" he asked
incredulously.

"That's the idea, Arizona; but of course you're quite free to please
yourself. I chose you; Marbolt gave me the privilege of selection."

"Wal, guess we'd best git goin'. Willow Bluff station's fair to
decent, so we'll only need our blankets an' grub--an' a tidy bunch of
ammunition. Guess I'll go an' see Teddy fer the rations."

He went off in a hurry. Tresler looked after him. It was good to be
dealing with such a man after those others, Jake and the rancher.
Arizona's manner of accepting his selection pleased him. There was no
"yes" or "no" about it: no argument. A silent acceptance and ready
thought for th