to disguise," said Davy earnestly. "I take a chance in wrecking a
fine friendship, to tell you about it."

"Go right on, Sonny Boy," said Welborn, "you couldn't wreck our
friendship if you were to spit in my face."

"Well, we folks here know nothing about your past. We don't want to
know until you release it, but I'll bet my interest in the Bar-O
against a thin dime that you've served in the army and were a tough
old 'top-kick' at that. You want things done your way. You resist
being told. You want to correct the other fellow if he's wrong; even
if disguised, you would interrupt and correct and maybe jam the whole
works. Of course we want you to win but you've got to be careful--even
if it hurts."

Welborn's face flushed but he laughed sheepishly as he pondered the
charges made. "You've got me dead-to-rights, Laddie; I am impatient
and domineering, but I think I still have control. Just now I need
information. I want to know if I am classed as a criminal or a citizen
back in my home town. Personally, I would like to go back there, loaf
around and listen in.

"Well, it can be done," said Davy emphatically, "and I think I ought
to be an assistant. You saved my life, now I want to be a party to
saving your reputation. You are not a criminal; you couldn't be one if
you tried. Just tell me the name of your home town and I will go there
as the advance man for Lannarck's Congress of Living Wonders. I'll be
seeking a site to assemble the company and plan the rehearsals. While
there I will want the history of the town and the chamber of commerce
will give it to me. In that history, your affair in all its details
will be recited. Later on, you can stumble in as a laborer, seeking
work. I will be quartered at the leading hotel, and you at a boarding
house out by the junction. But we will meet at the picture show or at
a local poolroom and I will hire you to take care of the baggage and
the accessories as they come in. It won't take us long to get your
status, pay your fine, or get the judge to suspend your sentence.

"Let's get going, podner," said Davy, as he clambered down from his
chair. "We'll both go to Cheyenne; you go to Denver to cash up and
fade out; I'll go to your town to pay out and horn in."

Welborn smiled as he listened to Davy's enthusiasm and slang. He
drummed his fingers on the table as he considered his proposals. "I
hadn't thought of involving any of our home-folks in my troubles,"
said he thoughtfully,