It was after midnight when Johnny got back to the hotel. Scanlon’s game was still active. Johnny recognized his fellow players—the two Faulkner brothers and Tris Bowles. The Faulkners had been freighting supplies to the Agency. “Say, Charlie,” Johnny asked the elder of the two, “you didn’t come in from the Valley today, did yuh?” “Yeah. Got in ’bout nine o’clock.” “That so?” Johnny asked, better pleased with himself than he had been for the last two hours. “Road’s pretty fair, I guess,” he ran on. “See anybody?” “No, not until we got just outside of town. That human grub worm, Tobias Gale, passed us this side of the big hill.” “Seein’ him wasn’t seein’ anybody.” “Them’s my sentiments,” the younger Tris announced. “He’s got down to doin’ Injuns out of their bit now. Had the old chief himself with him today.” Johnny Dice immediately lost all interest in the Messrs. Faulkner and Bowles. Singling out Vinnie, he said to him: “I got to wake up Tobias for a minute. We got some most important business to transact. What room did you say he was in?” “Now, Johnny,” Vin warned, “those man ees just come to leeve in thees ’otel. He’s goot pay. You mak’ no hell now.” “Say, you quit scoldin’ me, Vinnie,” Johnny laughed. “You don’t know me; I’ve reformed. Why the sound of a gun would frighten me to death.” Vinnie grinned. Johnny Dice could have had the shirt from his back if he had asked for it. For all of his talk Johnny felt of his gun before he knocked on Tobias’ door. He got no answer, and after waiting a decent interval he tried the door. It was unlocked. Stepping into the room he struck a match and held it aloft. “I’m damned,” he exclaimed. “He’s gone! What can that bird be up to this time of the night? He’s strictly a to-bed-with-the-chickens sort of a person. Went out the back way, too, or Vin would ’a’ seen him.” Johnny was not long in deciding on what he would do. Going to the bed he sat down and pulled off his boots. “I’m goin’ to camp right here,” he said aloud. “When little Tobias comes back we’re goin’ to make medicine.” CHAPTER XXVII TIME TO ACT The room was bathed in sunlight when Johnny Dice felt some one prodding him back to consciousness. Vinnie the Basque stood over him, his eyes wild with excitement. “_Dios mio_, Johnny!” the man cried. “How you come here all night? What you do weeth those man Gale?” “Search me,” Johnny answered with a yawn. “Did I roost here all night?” “How I know that? You come up here last night.” “Sure! Gale wasn’t here. I took off my boots and lay down to wait for him. Guess he didn’t come back.” “You not hurt heem, eh?” Vin inquired anxiously. “’Course not. I’m too anxious to talk to him to hurt him.” “Well, plenty trouble come now,” the Basque said sadly. “Roddy, Gallup, and Kent ees just go ’way. They look for you. Sheriff, hee’s got warrant for you, Johnny.”