I just wanted to be sure how we
stood toward each other. So long."
He turned uncompromisingly away, and stumped off down the trail on his
fat and sturdy legs.
Bob looked after him amazed, at this sudden termination of the
interview. He had anticipated argument, sophistry, appeal to old
friendship, perhaps a more dark and doubtful approach. Though conscious
throughout of Baker's contempt for what the promoter would call his
childish impracticability, his disloyalty and his crankiness, Bob
realized that all of this had been carefully subdued. Baker's manner at
parting expressed more of regret than of anger or annoyance.
XVIII
To this short and inconclusive interview, however, Baker did not fail to
add somewhat through Oldham. The agent used none of the circumspection
Baker had considered necessary, but rode openly into camp and asked for
Bob. The latter, remembering Oldham's reputed antagonism to Baker, could
not but admire the convenience of the arrangement. The lank and sinister
figure of Saleratus Bill was observed to accompany that of the land
agent, but the gun man, at a sign from his principal; did not dismount.
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