“The Pup probably wanted Gus to go on a spree with him,” Teddy suggested. “I guess Gus has had enough of that sort of thing. He’s not built for it. Gus, normally, is a clean liver. He doesn’t take much to booze and he would never have touched it if he hadn’t been worried about something. Wonder what he’s going to do now?” “But what did he mean when he said dad had a right to discharge him and he wouldn’t hold it against him?” Roy persisted, not answering his brother’s question. “Doesn’t that sound as though Marino wanted Gus to go into some scheme to get even with dad?” “Aw, don’t be so pessimistic! Golly, Roy, you’re up to your old tricks again, aren’t you? Let it ride! Even if The Pup did have some such plan in mind, he’ll forget it as soon as he hits Rimor’s and gets lit up, and I’ll bet money that’s what he’s doing this minute. I only hope Gus isn’t with him. You say they rode off together?” “Yes. That’s why I’m worried. But, after all, there’s no use hunting for trouble. We’ve got enough as it is.” Darkness had settled over the land when the riders reached home. The supper table seemed strangely vacant with Mr. Manley absent, but the girls and Teddy and Roy kept up a running fire of conversation, so that Mrs. Manley had not time to think long about her husband riding far out on the trail. They tried to keep her, as much as possible, from worrying. Later in the evening Teddy left the porch and walked toward the bunk-house, to see Nat Raymond about the next day’s work. As he neared the corral he heard Flash neigh as though he knew Teddy was near, and the boy turned aside for a moment. To his surprise he saw a figure dart out from behind a tree, and, silently, the boy sprang forward. In a moment he had the man in his grasp. “Let’s have a look at you!” Teddy demanded. The man did not struggle. Instead he faced the boy boldly. “The Pup!” Teddy exclaimed. He released his hold on the man’s arm. “I thought you had gone to town.” “Yes, it’s The Pup,” the other sneered. “And what about it? Gonna kick me off? If you are, you’d better start kickin’ now, ’cause it’s gonna take you some little time!” CHAPTER VII Suspicion The bright moon made the scene almost as light as day. Teddy could see the man’s small, close-set eyes and his thin-lipped mouth as The Pup thrust his face forward belligerently. “You’re awfully sure about that, aren’t you?” the boy said in a low voice. Perhaps another youth might disclaim such a quarrel as this, which seemed purposely thrust upon him. Teddy had no reason to seek a fight with Marino, nor even meet him half way. It would have been better, perhaps, had the boy at this moment turned on his heel and walked away. But Teddy was himself, and no one else. The memory of Gus’s betrayal rankled within him. The Pup moved his shoulders slightly, dropping the right one lower than the left. Teddy settled himself firmly.