human
I'm glad you came and told me this, he said at last.
gpt
Very glad, indeed, Miss MacDonald. Certain steps have been taken lately to push this--wipe out this rustling and general lawlessness, and if you had not told me, I'm afraid the mills of justice would have ground your--friends. Of course the law would be merciful to Mrs. Meilke. No jury would send an old woman like that-- By the way, that breed they have had working for them--he is in the deal, too, I take it.
human
Yes, of course. They had to have someone to help. Marthy can't do any riding. Billy Louise spoke with a dreary apathy that betrayed how the reaction had set in.
gpt
She stayed in the Cove, in case anyone came prowling down there. It seems there's a wire fastened to the gate, and it rings a bell down at the house somewhere when the gate is opened. And besides that she had a dog that would tackle strangers. I don't believe, she went on, after a little silence,
human
Well, let's not think any more about them until we have to. There was a certain crude attempt at soothing her anxieties.
gpt
You've trusted me, Miss MacDonald. I'll try and not disappoint you in the matter, though, unless they are quite separate from the gang which is being run down, it may be hard to protect them. Do you know--whether--any other cowman has suffered from their--mm-mm--haste to get rich?
human
I don't think there's anyone but you,
gpt
Hm-mm--do you know, Miss MacDonald, whether there was any intimacy between--your friends--and the man we had for stock inspector, Mr. Olney?
human
I--can't say, as to that.
gpt
There's a queer story about Olney. You know he has left the country, don't you? It seems he rode very hurriedly up to the depot at Wilmer to take the train. Just as he stepped on, a fellow who knew him by sight noticed a piece of paper pinned on the back of his coat. He jerked it loose. It was a--m-m--very peculiar document for a man to be wearing on his back. Seabeck pulled at his whiskers, but it was not the pulling which quirked the corners of his lips.
human
The man said Olney seemed greatly upset over something and had evidently forgotten the paper until he felt it being pulled loose. He said Olney looked back then, and he was the color of a pork-rind. The train was pulling out. The man took the paper over to a saloon and let several others read it. They--mm-mm--decided that it should be placed in the hands of the authorities. Have--m-m--your--friends ever mentioned the matter to you?
gpt
No,
human
Hm-mm! We must discover, if we can, Miss MacDonald, whether they are in any way implicated with this man Olney. I believe that this is at present more important than the recovery of any--m-m--cattle of mine which they may have appropriated.
gpt
Mr. Seabeck, you're awfully dear about this! she told him.
human
I haven't been as square as you; and I've been-- Listen here, Mr. Seabeck! I don't love Charlie Fox a bit. I love somebody else, and I'm going to marry him. He's so square, I'd hate to have him think I even let you believe something that wasn't true. It's Marthy I'm thinking of, Mr. Seabeck. I was afraid you wouldn't let Charlie off just for her sake, but I thought maybe if you just thought I--wanted you to do it for mine, why, maybe--with two women to be sorry for, you'd kind of--
gpt
Hm-mm! Seabeck sent her a keen, blue, twinkling glance that made Billy Louise turn hot all over with shame and penitence.
human
Hm-mm! he said again--if one can call that a saying--and pulled at his graying whiskers.
gpt
Hm-mmm!