By the time he reached the foot of the hill Bancroft's mind was once more engrossed with the need of knowing whether or not he was at last secure from ignominious exposure. He no longer disguised from himself the fact that news of Conrad's death would be most welcome. He looked eagerly up and down the main streets; there was no sign of excitement. Had nothing happened, then? But it was still early; moreover, news of the affair might not reach the town for a day or two. The sound of horses' feet coming at a swift trot down the street on the other side of the stream made his heart beat quickly. He lingered at the door of his bank until the horseman came into view under the big cottonwoods at the next corner. It was Red Jack from the Socorro Springs ranch. At once his heart leaped to certainty. He turned to enter the bank, but stopped and looked back, undecidedly. Red Jack had not dismounted, but had drawn rein in front of the court-house at the next corner, and was sitting there quietly, looking up and down the road as if expecting somebody. He led a saddled horse. Perhaps he was to take a physician back with him. But he seemed in no haste, and in his manner there was neither excitement nor anxiety. Bancroft could wait no longer to learn what had happened. With hands in pockets he sauntered down the street. "Hello, Jack," he said indifferently to the waiting horseman. "You're in town early this morning." "I sure hiked along from the ranch early enough," the cowboy replied. "The boss hired a new man last night; and I had to come over this morning after him." Bancroft's eyes were on the cigar he was taking from his pocket, which he handed to the cowboy, saying idly, "Why, he intended last night to carry the man behind him. Did he change his mind? The man was a Mexican, wasn't he?" "Y-e-s; a measly coyote! The boss didn't bring him last night because he thought it would be too hard on Brown Betty to carry double. I wonder if mebbe that ain't my man comin' down the street right now! I've done forgot his name; do you happen to know it, Mr. Bancroft?" "I think it's José Gonzalez. He came here from Dellmey Baxter, who recommended him to me as a first-rate cowboy." "Well, he'll have to be a peach if he strikes the boss's gait," Red Jack rejoined, motioning to the Mexican.