“She did come plenty near hiking over Cameron when he tried to hold her up,” said Badger. “It sure was a close call for that gent. Way he acted after that, I thought he was going to pull a gun and try to pot you both.” “And then I th-th-thought he was going to cuc-cuc-come at us,” observed Gamp. “It was lucky for him that he decided to let us alone,” declared Hodge. “Yah!” cried Hans. “You bet my life he vos luckiness!” “This whole affair is most peculiar from start to finish,” said Dade Morgan. “It has many mysterious features, and not the least mysterious is this strange young woman who keeps her face hidden by a heavy veil and who lives here in this gloomy house. Who is she? and what is she?” “I scarcely think you will find any one in Cartersville who can answer those questions,” said Frank. “It is not for us to be too inquisitive while accepting her hospitality.” “In one sense, we are not exactly accepting hospitality,” asserted Stretcher. “What we receive we’re going to pay for.” “It is hospitality none the less.” “I dud-dud-don’t believe she tut-tut-took us in because she needs the mum-mum-money,” declared Gamp. “That was a bluff,” nodded Hodge. “She made that assertion,” said Frank, “in order that we might accept her kindness with greater freedom. It was very good of her to attempt to make us feel more at home and less like intruders by giving us a chance to pay for what we shall obtain.” “Vainly I speculate upon her looks,” murmured Ready. “I wonder be she dark or be she light?” “Young or old?” came from Badger. “Plain or pretty?” put in Rattleton. “Sus-she’s a bub-blonde,” declared Gamp positively. “Nix; she vos a prunette,” said Hans, just as positively. “She’s about thirty-five years old,” guessed Starbright. “Not a day over twenty,” asserted Morgan. “I’ll guarantee she’s as homely as a hitching post,” grunted Browning. “I would like to make a wager that she is exceptionally good-looking,” said Stretcher. “All this speculation about her leads to nothing,” interrupted Frank. “Besides that, as long as we are beneath this roof too much curiosity concerning her is a matter of poor taste. It’s up to us to accept what she has provided, pay for it liberally, and be very grateful for her kindness. That she is a person of courage she has demonstrated by defying the ruffianly element of the town, which has the entire place subjugated and trembling beneath a reign of terror. I admire her nerve, and I am ready to render her assistance or give her protection if occasion arises.” “You are mit me in dot!” exclaimed Dunnerwurst. “I vill stood by her vid my last drop uf gore. How apoudt you, Choe? Speech up und declaration yourseluf.” “I gug-gug-guess she can depend on the whole of us to bub-bub-back her,” said Gamp.