Last night the boy’s ghostly visit had been more than a success. Now, if he, Gallup, spread the story of what he had seen—the grinning face, the fiendish cry—wouldn’t word of his talking reach Johnny? The man must have some confederate who would carry the tale. But supposing that failed, if men heard the coroner talking of having seen a ghost, and this very night that ghost should return and be killed, and proved no ghost at all—well, wouldn’t that be alibi enough? Yet the law couldn’t touch Gallup for that. So, then, it got down to whether Johnny would return. Aaron was satisfied to believe that he would, so between then and sunset he spread his story up and down the main street of Standing Rock. Charlie Paul, loafing in front of the Palace Hotel, heard it and carried it to Johnny. “He look sick, Gallup,” the Indian went on. “He pretty damn well scared, him.” “Guess Aaron knows haunts is hostile to him,” Johnny said more to himself than to Charlie. “Him—Gallup—have big fight, too,” the faithful Indian added. “What fight? No savvy that, Charlie.” “Man, Gale—all bus’ up.” “Split—all off, you mean?” “Him split,” Charlie grinned. “Him, Gale, live um hotel.” “Well, I’m damned!” Johnny dropped the frying pan to better voice his surprise. “Them two old junipers fallin’ out—now what do you know ’bout that? You hear any more, Charlie?” “Nah. Gale get horse, he drive away.” “There’s a kittle of fish for you!” Johnny shook his head uncomprehendingly. “I should admire to know what’s up. Mebbe so we find out tonight.” Unknown to Johnny, Tobias Gale had returned to Standing Rock shortly after sundown. He had not been alone when he reached the outskirts of the town. There he had stopped, and the man who occupied the rig with him had stepped to the ground. Gale had driven on, and the other man, after ten minutes, had started to walk the remaining distance into the Rock. Tobias made no effort to see him again, but he was apparently well satisfied with his day’s work. The man with whom he had driven across country that afternoon could be expected to furnish rare entertainment for one Gallup. Gale made some discreet, but futile, inquiries regarding the whereabouts of Tony Madeiras and retired to his room. This was Gallup’s night, and Tobias was in no way inclined to share the spotlight with him. CHAPTER XXIV JOHNNY DICE COMES BACK TO LIFE When Aaron Gallup retired to his home at seven o’clock that evening he knew that if Johnny Dice hovered in or near Standing Rock he had heard by now the story of his—Gallup’s—supernatural visitor. Figuratively speaking, Aaron patted himself on the back for having set his trap for the smooth Johnny. The old man’s confidence in his scheme was such that he even whistled snatches of an old tune popular in the days of the Santa Fe Trail.