Part 91 (2/2)
”And call Welton in for corroboration?”
”I hardly think that's necessary.”
”It will be, as you very well know. 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 st.u.r.dy legs.
Bob looked after him amazed, at this sudden termination of the interview. He had antic.i.p.ated argument, sophistry, appeal to old friends.h.i.+p, 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 circ.u.mspection 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 princ.i.p.al; did not dismount.
He greeted no one, but sat easily across his saddle, holding the reins of both horses in his left hand, his jaws working slowly, his evil, little eyes wandering with sardonic interest over the people and belongings at headquarters. Ware nodded to him. The man's eyes half closed and for an instant the motion of his jaw quickened. Otherwise he made no sign.
Oldham drew Bob one side.
”I want to talk to you where we won't be interrupted,” he requested.
”Talk on,” said Bob, seating himself on a log. ”The open is as good a place as another; you can see your eavesdroppers there.”
Oldham considered this a moment, then nodded his head, and took his place by the young man's side.
”It's about those Modoc lands,” said he.
”I suppose so,” said Bob.
”Mr. Baker tells me you fully intend to prosecute a suit for their recovery.”
”I believe the Government intends to do so. I am, of course, only the agent of the Government in this or any other matter.”
”In other words, you have received orders to proceed?”
”I would hardly be acting without them, would I?”
”Of course; I see. Mr. Baker is sometimes hasty. a.s.suming that you cared to do so, is there no way you could avoid this necessity?”
”None that I can discover. I must obey orders as long as I'm a government officer.”
”Exactly,” said Oldham. ”Now we reach the main issue. What if you were not a government officer?”
”But I am.”
”a.s.sume that you were not.”
”Naturally my successor would carry out the same orders.”
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