there's over a thousand for Cass Grimshaw."

"Cass Grimshaw is a horse-thief. Apparently, horses are held in higher
regard than mere wives."

Tex disregarded the withering sarcasm. He answered, evenly, "Looks that
way. I suppose they figure a man could steal more of 'em."

"And now that Purdy has stolen her from you, will you continue the
search, or look around for another. Surely, wives are cheap--another
hundred dollars oughtn't to make any difference."

"No. Another hundred won't make any difference. Win Endicott was a fool
to post that reward. It makes things look bad----"

"Look bad!" cried the girl, angrily. "Could it look any worse than it
is?"

"No," agreed the Texan, "not with Purdy into it, it couldn't."

"Because, now--he'll probably claim the reward he and Long Bill--and you
will have had your trouble for your pains."

"Claim the reward!" exclaimed the Texan. To the girl's surprise he
seemed to grasp at the thought as a drowning man would grasp at a straw.
There was a new light in his eyes and the words seemed to hold a ray of
hope. "Do you suppose he would? Would he hold her safe for a thousand
dollars? Prob'ly he'll try to get more!" The man talked rapidly in short
jerky sentences. "How'd Long Bill cross the river? Have those two got
together? Does Purdy know about the reward?"

"Long Bill was riding----"

"Purdy's horse?"

"Not the one Purdy rode today--but, I think I've seen Purdy ride that
horse."

"But, why did they go on spreadin' these bills? Why didn't they keep it
to themselves?" The girl shook her head, and after a few moments of
silence, during which his fists opened and closed as if striving to
grasp at the truth, the Texan spoke: "Maybe if they had the girl hid
away safe, they wanted folks to be on the lookout for me." He pushed
back his chair abruptly and as he stood up the girl indicated the
blankets, and the package of food.

"Here are blankets," she said, "and there is grub for tomorrow. There is
a bunk in the loft----"

The Texan gathered the things into his arms: "Never mind the bunk," he
said, "I'll sleep in the hay. I'll be wanting an early start. You've
helped, girl," he said looking straight into her eyes, "you've guessed
wrong--but you've helped--maybe more than you know. I reckon Win wasn't
such a fool with his reward after all," and before she could frame a
reply, the man had opened the door and disappeared into the night.

CHAPTER XX

AT CINNABAR JOE'S