"
"Who was the message from?"
"Did she ever smile at you like she done at me?"
"Was it from Dan Barry that you brought word?"
"Did she ever let her eyes go big an' soft when she looked at you?"
"Damn you."
"Did she ever lean close to you, so's you got the scent of her hair,
Lee?"
"I'll kill you for this, Daniels!"
"When I left she kissed me good-bye, Lee."
In spite of his bravado, Buck was deeply anxious. He watched Haines
narrowly. Only two men in the mountain-desert would have had a chance
against this man in a fight, and Buck knew perfectly well that he was
not one of the two.
"Watch yourself, Daniels," said Haines. "I know you're lying and I'm
going to keep an eye on you."
"Thanks," grinned Buck. "I like to have a friend watchin' out for me."
Haines turned on his heel and went back to the card table, where Buck
immediately joined the circle.
"Wait a minute, Lee," said Silent. "Ain't it your turn to stand guard
on the Cumberlands tonight?"
"Right--O," answered Haines cheerfully, and rose from the table.
"Hold on," said Buck. "Are you goin' to spoil all the work I done
today with that girl?"
"What's the matter?" asked Silent.
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