g no attention by any
whispering together in public.

Before the conference broke up Kate came in with her protest.

"That's all very well, but what about Mr. Flandrau? He can't stay in
Saguache with that man threatening to kill him on sight."

"Don't worry about me, Miss Kate;" and Curly looked at her and blushed.

Her father smiled grimly. "No, I wouldn't, Kate. He isn't going to be
troubled by that wolf just now."

"Doesn't stand to reason he'd spoil all his plans just to bump me off."

"But he might. He forgot all about his plans this morning. How do we know
he mightn't a second time?"

"Don't you worry, honey. I've got a card up my sleeve," Luck promised.

CHAPTER X

"STICK TO YOUR SADDLE"

The old Arizona fashion of settling a difference of opinion with the
six-gun had long fallen into disuse, but Saguache was still close enough
to the stark primeval emotions to wait with a keen interest for the crack
of the revolver that would put a period to the quarrel between Soapy Stone
and young Flandrau. It was known that Curly had refused to leave town,
just as it was known that Stone and that other prison bird Blackwell were
hanging about the Last Chance and Chalkeye's Place drinking together
morosely. It was observed too that whenever Curly appeared in public he
was attended by friends. Sometimes it would be Maloney and Davis,
sometimes his uncle Alec Flandrau, occasionally a couple of the Map of
Texas vaqueros.

It chanced that "Old Man" Flandrau, drifting into Chalkeye's Place, found
in the assembled group the man he sought. Billie Mackenzie, grizzled owner
of the Fiddleback ranch, was with him, and it was in the preliminary pause
before drinking that Alec made his official announcement.

"No, Mac, I ain't worrying about that any. Curly is going to get a square
deal. We're all agreed on that. If there's any shooting from cover
there'll be a lynching _pronto_. That goes."

Flandrau, Senior, did not glance at the sullen face of Lute Blackwell
hovering in the background but he knew perfectly well that inside of an
hour word would reach Soapy Stone that only an even break with Curly would
be allowed.

The day passed without a meeting between the two. Curly grew nervous at
the delay.

"I'm as restless as a toad on a hot skillet," he confessed to Davis. "This
thing of never knowing what minute Soapy will send me his leaden
compliments ain't any picnic. Wisht it was over."

"He's drinking himself b