ngs is quiet," returned Stafford. "There ain't been any cattle
missed for a long time. I reckon the new stray-man is doin' some good."

Leviatt's eyes glowed. "If you call gassin' with Mary Radford doin'
good, why then, he's doin' it!" he snapped.

"I ain't heard that he's doin' that," returned Stafford.

"I'm tellin' you about it now," said Leviatt. "I seen him to-day; him
an' her holdin' hands on top of a hill in Bear Flat." He sneered.
"He's a better ladies' man than a gunfighter. I reckon we made a
mistake in pickin' him up."

Stafford smiled indulgently. "He's cert'nly a good looker," he said.
"I reckon some girls would take a shine to him. But I ain't
questionin' his shootin'. I've been in this country a right smart
while an' I ain't never seen another man that could bore a can six
times while it's in the air."

Leviatt's lips drooped. "He could do that an' not have nerve enough to
shoot a coyote. Him not clashin' with Ben Radford proves he ain't got
nerve."

Stafford smiled. The story of how the stray-man had closed Leviatt's
mouth was still fresh in his memory. He was wondering whether Leviatt
knew that he had heard about the incident.

"Suppose you try him?" he suggested. "That'd be as good a way as any
to find out if he's got nerve."

Leviatt's face bloated poisonously, but he made no answer. Apparently
unaware that he had touched a tender spot Stafford continued.

"Mebbe his game is to get in with the girl, figgerin' that he'll be
more liable that way to get a chancst at Ben Radford. But whatever his
game is, I ain't interferin'. He's got a season contract an' I ain't
breakin' my word with the cuss. I ain't takin' no chances with him."

Leviatt rose abruptly, his face swelling with an anger that he was
trying hard to suppress. "He'd better not go to foolin' with Mary
Radford, damn him!" he snapped.

"I reckon that wind is blowin' in two directions," grinned Stafford.
"When I see him I'll tell him----" A clatter of hoofs reached the ears
of the two men, and Stafford turned to the window. "Here's the
stray-man now," he said gravely.

Both men were silent when Ferguson reached the door. He stood just
inside, looking at Stafford and Leviatt with cold, alert eyes. He
nodded shortly to Stafford, not removing his gaze from the range boss.
The latter deliberately turned his back and looked out of the window.

There was insolence in the movement, but apparently it had no effect
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