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 Winch should not look for him in vain, a sneer on his thin lip, his protruding teeth laid bare. Life's business had come to a sudden head. His adventure lay before him; he was no longer a listening man.

"They're thinning out down there, most of them's gone," said Texas, turning to the old man, speaking with his accustomed slowness and serenity. "I'm goin' to step down to the ho-tel a, minute, sir, and see if Fannie didn't leave a letter for me that they over-looked."

Uncle Boley went to the door and looked out* and seemed relieved by the appearance of placidity that had fallen again over the town.

"Well, you'll be back in a little while I reckon, Texas?"

"I'll be back almost di-rec'ly, Uncle Boley," Texas replied, standing a moment with his foot on the step to smile before he turned away to keep his rendezvous with Winch.