"
The Duke looked at him indulgently.
"I took it on myself to do it. I reckoned you might need the extra time,
seein' that they was tryin' to spring a trap on you."
He took the cigar that the Duke offered him in lieu of praise.
"Bein' sure of that much time--if you'll see to it that they're regular
about the call!" Mr. Cobb cocked inquiring eye at the old man.
"I'll see to it," stated Thornton, grimly.
"Well, then, bein' sure of that time, I'll--Mr. Thornton, would you
object if I was to start in this afternoon on the contract of clearing
up that slash where you operated on Jo Quacca last winter? Of course,
this ain't just the best kind of weather for bonfires, but--the fire
will certainly burn!" His whispering voice gave the suggestion ominous
significance.
The Hon. Thelismer Thornton stared for a moment at Cobb, and then looked
up at the heights that shimmered in the beating sun.
"You may start in, Cobb," he said at last. His perception of what the
man meant came instantly. He had hesitated while he figured chances.
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