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174, runs through Sunrise Pass and on over into Indian Valley that way. … What the devil are you laughing at?"

Again he was in no position to understand what thoughts teemed in Steele's brain. For Steele was indulging freely in a burst of mirth which startled the travelling man in the room across the hall no less than it did Bobbie Carruthers. And while Carruthers knew that his old friend was not the man to take leave of his senses just because a much-talked of golden harvest now looked ripe for the reaping, still … "Oh, of course you don't understand," grinned Steele. "Why should you, you with your head full of twins? You can't see that I'd rather this had happened than … Look here, I'll start this proposition on the jump right now; you give me all the dope you've got corralled, put the cash in the bank for me, keep in touch, join me as soon as you can and … oh, Lordy! Won't I have the Young Queen where I want her now!"

"Queen?" frowned Carruthers. "Young Queen? What's that? Name of your new mine or something?"

"That?" Slowly a deep gravity came into Steele's eyes to dwell there serenely. He even put out a hand and laid it on Carruthers' shoulder. "It's the girl I'm crazy in love with, Bobbie … just guessed it myself, by George! Don't know why I blabbed it out to you; you're so infernally paternal, I suppose. I wouldn't have a soul know it. Yes, sir; it's me, Bill Steele, crazy in love with a girl … but I'm damned if I'd give her the satisfaction of knowing it!"

Carruthers was thoroughly mystified.