"
"Besides Cateras?"
"No, not at present; at times I have guests. It would be pleasurable
to entertain you, and your friend."
"No doubt. You expect Lacy?"
"You know that also? How did you learn?"
"I heard you talk to the men at the other end. It is true, is it not?"
"I have sent for him; it was yesterday."
"And he could be here now?"
"Not before night; it is a hard ride; why ask all this?"
"I have reasons. Now another thing; where are your men?"
His eyes wandered to the gleam of daylight.
"There will be one or two in the bunk-house likely; the others are with
the cattle up the valley."
"But none in your cabin?"
He shook his head.
"And you say Lacy cannot get here before dark? How late?"
He hesitated over his reply, endeavouring shrewdly to conjecture what
could be the object of all this questioning, yet finally concluding
that the truth would make very little difference.
"Well, _senorita_, I may as well tell you, I suppose. It is the rule
not to enter this valley until after dark. I expect the Americanos to
arrive about ten o'clock.
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