They drank, and the stranger dropped back into his reading unperturbed. Once more Black Tex scrubbed the bar and scowled at him; then, tapping peremptorily on the board with a whiskey glass, he gave way to his just resentment. "Hey, young feller," he said, jerking his hand arbitrarily, "come over here. Come over here, I said--I want to talk with you!" For a moment the man in the corner looked up in well-bred surprise; then without attempting to argue the point he arose and made his way to the bar. "What's the matter with you, anyway?" demanded Brady roughly. "Are you too good to drink with the likes of us?" The stranger lowered his eyes before the domineering gaze of his inquisitor and shifted his feet uneasily. "I don't drink with anybody," he said at last. "And if you had any other waiting-room in your hotel," he added, "I'd keep away from your barroom altogether. As it is, maybe you wouldn't mind leaving me alone." At this retort, reflecting as it did upon the management, Black Tex began to breathe heavily and sway upon his feet. "I asked you," he roared, thumping his fist upon the bar and opening up his eyes, "whether you are too good to drink with the likes of us--me, f'r instance--and I want to git an answer!" He leaned far out over the bar as if listening for the first word before he hit him, but the stranger did not reply immediately. Instead, with simple-minded directness he seemed to be studying on the matter. The broad grin of the card players fell to a wondering stare and every man leaned forward when, raising his sombre eyes from the floor, the little man spoke. "Why, yes," he said quietly, "I think I am." "Yes, _what_?" yelled the barkeeper, astounded. "You think you're what?" "Now, say," protested the younger man. Then, apparently recognizing the uselessness of any further evasion, he met the issue squarely. "Well, since you crowd me to it," he cried, flaring up, "I _am_ too good! I'm too good a man to drink when I don't want to drink--I'm too good to accept treats when I don't stand treat! And more than that," he added slowly and impressively, "I'm too good to help blow that old man, or any other man, for his money!" He rose to his utmost height as he spoke, turning to meet the glance of every man in the room, and as he faced them, panting, his deep eyes glowed with a passion of conviction. "If that is too good for this town," he said, "I'll get out of it, but I won't drink on treats to please anybody." The gaze of the entire assembly followed him curiously as he went back to his corner, and Black Tex was so taken aback by this unexpected effrontery on the part of his guest that he made no reply whatever. Then, perceiving that his business methods had been questioned, he drew himself up and frowned darkly.