Page:Allan Dunn--Dead Man's Gold.djvu/189

Rh They were ready to start early in the morning when Peggy Furniss came out to the car. She held a letter in her hand.

"I've written to Mary," she said to Stone. "I've asked her why she didn't tell me about meeting you and all about your adventures. Will you mail it?" She passed the letter to Larkin with a smile as he accepted it ecstatically.

"If I hear from her I'll let you know," she went on. "The doctor says you are going to camp and will let him know where it is. I often run into Verde with Lizzie."

Larkin made the trip with the expression of a cow with an especially delectable cud to chew, and Stone vigorously restrained from chaffing him, though Harvey gave him a sly wink once in a while. After they were left in Verde, Stone sought the telegrapher at the depot and Larkin accompanied him while Harvey made inquiries for a likely place to camp. Stone sent his telegram and then Larkin put in his word.

"You goin' to git any hanswer to that wire?" he asked Stone.

"Yes, why?"

"You'll have to come in for it then?"

"Surely."

"Well," said Larkin to the operator, "there's four of us, Stone, Harvey, Larkin, and Healy. If hany messages come, 'old 'em. One of hus 'll drop in once in a while. Healy's sick up at the sanitarium, rest of us is campin'. The wire I'm expecting may come haddressed to hany one of hus. Savvy?"