Whispering Smith looked up in admiration. "I know you're game. It isn't necessary for me to say that to you. But think of the fight you are going into against this company. You can worry them; you've done it. But a bronco might as well try to buck a locomotive as for one man or six or six hundred to win out in the way you are playing." "I will look out for my friends; others--" Sinclair hitched his belt and paused, but Whispering Smith, cutting and running the cards, gave no heed. His eyes were fixed on the green cloth under his fingers. "Others--" repeated Sinclair. "Others?" echoed Whispering Smith good-naturedly. "May look out for themselves." "Of course, of course! Well, if this is the end of it, I'm sorry." "You will be sorry if you mix in a quarrel that is none of yours." "Why, Murray, I never had a quarrel with a man in my life." "You are pretty smooth, but you can't drive me out of this country. I know how well you'd like to do it; and, take notice, there's one trail you can't cross even if you stay here. I suppose you understand that." Smith felt his heart leap. He sat in his chair turning the pack slowly, but with only one hand now; the other hand was free. Sinclair eyed him sidewise. Smith moistened his lips and when he replied spoke slowly: "There is no need of dragging any allusion to her into it. For that matter, I told Bucks he should have sent any man but me. If I'm in the way, Sinclair, if my presence here is all that stands in the way, I'll go back and stay back as before, and send any one else you like or Bucks likes. Are you willing to say that I stand in the way of a settlement?" Sinclair sat down and put his hands on the table. "No; your matter and mine is another affair. All I want between you and me is fair and right." Whispering Smith's eyes were on the cards. "You've always had it." "Then keep away from _her_." "Don't tell me what to do." "Then don't tell me." "I'm not telling you. You will do as you please; so will I. I left here because Marion asked me to. I am here now because I have been sent here. It is in the course of my business. I have my living to earn and my friends to protect. Don't dictate to me, because it would be of no use." "Well, you know now how to get into trouble." "Every one knows that; few know how to keep out." "You can't lay your finger on me at any turn of the road." "Not if you behave yourself." "And you can't bully me." "Surely not. No hard feelings, Murray. I came for a friendly talk, and if it's all the same to you I'll watch this wheel awhile and then go over to the Wickiup. I leave first--that's understood, I hope--and if your pink-eyed friend is waiting outside tell him there is nothing doing, will you, Murray? Who is the albino, by the way? You don't know him? I think I do. Fort City, if I remember. Well, good-night, Murray."