"Then you’ve got to shift Mike. There’s not enough work here for a good man like Costigan," suggested Tex. "Yer like a dog chasin’ his tail. Costigan stays where th’ lass an’ her brother are." "Huh! Damon an’ Pythias was only a dual combination," muttered the puncher. "Cussed if there ain’t somethin’ in th’ world, after all, that justifies Nature’s labors." "An’," went on Murphy as though he had not been interrupted, "th’ lass sticks to her brother, an’ he stays where he’s put. He’s not strong an’ he has a livin’ to make for two. Ye can take yer change out av that, Mr. Tex Jones." Tex grunted pessimistically. "Well, anyhow," he said, brightening a little, "mebby Miss Saunders won’t be pestered for a little while by Hennery--an’ then we’ll see what we see. I’m unlucky these days: I’m allus with th’ under dog," and he went on to tell his companion of his suggestions to the nephew. "’Tis proud av ye I am," responded Murphy. "May th’ saints be praised for th’ rest she’ll be gettin’. We can all av us breathe deep for a little while; an’ meanwhile I’ll be tryin’ my strength with Lefferts, th’ boss at th’ Junction. I’ve hated to leave town even that long, but now I can make th’ run; ’though I know it will do no good. Ye’ll be stayin’ in town tomorry?" "Why, no; I’m goin’ ridin’ with Miss Saunders," and Tex explained that, to his companion’s admiration and delight. "It’ll be a pleasure for her to be able to leave th’ house without bein’ tagged after by that scut," said the section-boss. "Yer a bye with a head. An’ I see where ye not only get th’ suspicions av that Tommy lad, but run afoul of that Henry an’ his precious uncle. Haven’t ye been warned yet?" The gleam of hope in his eyes was hidden by the darkness. "Ye’ll mebby have trouble with th’ last two--an’ if ye do, keep an eye on Bud Haines. Ye’ll do well to watch him, anyhow. Why don’t ye slip out quiet-like, straight southwest from her house? Less chance av bein’ seen; but a mighty slim one. They’ve eyes all over town." "We are shore to be seen," quietly responded Tex. "If we sneak out it will justify their suspicions. I don’t want to do that. I’m aimin’ to ride plumb down th’ main street, through th’ middle of town, an’ pay Tommy a little visit out at his ranch. _There is no shuffling, there th’ action lies in his true nature_. Like Caesar’s wife, you know. An’, by th’ way, Tim: we have some friends in town, an’ I’m addin’ an ally from Buffalo Crick. Time works for us." He paused and then asked, curiously: "Who is our friend Bud Haines, an’ what does he do for a livin’? I’ve my suspicions, but I’d rather be shore." Murphy swore softly under his breath. "He used to ride for Williams till he earned a reputation as a first-class gunman; but now he follows old Frowsyhead around like a shadder. Cold blooded, like th’ rattlesnake he is; a natural-born killer. They say he’s chain lightnin’ on th’ draw."