"Certainly he
ought to be informed, so that he can be on the watch, too. Can he be
trusted?"
"You can count on Dave," said Tom. "We been pardners for years. That
bow-legged son o' Satan an' me been through lots o' ruckuses in our
time. If there's any shootin' to be done, count us in. You know how I
kin shoot."
"I ought to know," said Jack. "You taught me."
"Well, then, I'll let Dave in on the secret."
"All right," said Jack, moving away toward the house. "Good night."
He started for the ranch house, but again came back.
"Rollins mustn't know I was down here," he said.
"He won't know from me," Tom assured him.
When Jack reached the house, he found Mr. Temple, Bob and Jack on the
front porch in their night-clothes. Rollins was there and had
introduced himself. All four were discussing the disappearance of the
flivver.
"You know how I sleep," said Bob. "But it made so much noise it waked
even me."
"Where have you been, Jack?" asked Frank. "Why, you haven't undressed.
I thought you turned in when I did. But I was so sleepy I never
noticed when I tumbled out of bed that you weren't there."
Jack felt Mr. Rollins's eyes on him. It made him uncomfortable.
"Oh, I couldn't sleep," he said.
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