Part 46 (1/2)

Grayson ignored the playfulness of the other's question

”Keepin' books,” he explained There was a finality in his tone which said: ”As you, of course, cannot keep books the interview is now over

Get out!”

”I could try,” said Bridge ”I can read and write, you know Let e wanted money for the trip to Rio, and, too, he wanted to stay in the country until Billy was ready to leave

”Savvy Spanish?” asked Grayson

”I read and write it better than I speak it,” said Bridge, ”though I do the latter well enough to get along anywhere that it is spoken”

Grayson wanted a bookkeeper worse than he could ever recall having wanted anything before in all his life His better judgged bum as a bookkeeper; but the bum was at least asman, and so Grayson clutched at him

”Go an' turn your cayuse in an' then coive you a tryout”

”Thanks,” said Bridge, and rode off in the direction of the pasture gate

”'Fraid he won't never do,” said Grayson, ruefully, after Bridge had passed out of earshot

”I rather iine that he will,” said the boss ”He is an educated lish, which is excellent He's probably one of the great army of down-and-outers The world is full of them--poor devils Give him a chance, Grayson, and anyway he adds another American to our force, and each one counts”

”Yes, that's right; but I hope you won't need 'eo,” said Grayson

”I hope not, Grayson; but one can never tell with conditions here such as they are Have you any hope that you will be able to obtain a safe conduct for us froive us the paper all right,” said Grayson; ”but it won't do us no good unless we don't meet nobody but Villa's men on the way out This here Pesita's the critter I'ot it in for all Americans, and especially for El Orobo Rancho You knoe beat off a raid of his about six o--killed half a dozen of hisenough force to give us safe escort to the border and he can't assure the safety of the train service It looks hty bad, sir--I don't see what in hell you careed the boss; ”but I'ot to make the best of it All this h at our fears in a feeeks”

”This thing that's happenin' noon't never blow over 'til the stars and stripes blow over Chihuahua,” said Grayson with finality

A fewunsaddled his pony and turned it into the pasture

”What's your na to enter it in his tie,” replied the new bookkeeper

”'Nitials,” snapped Grayson

Bridge hesitated ”Oh, put e,” he said

”Where from?” asked the ranch foree

Grayson shot a quick glance at the er was probably a horse thief, which, in Grayson's esti a et that pony you come in on?” he demanded ”I ain't sayin' nothin' of course, but I jest want to tell you that we ain't got no use for horse thieves here”