Now look here, Laura, you
keep shy of her corral, or you'll be broke so quick you won't believe
you ever had a cent: that's straight. This is the third year that she's been here
and I know what I'm talking about. How did you come to meet her?"
Hopalong explained the meeting and his friend laughed again:
"Why, she knows this country like a book. She can't get lost
anywhere around here. But she's blame clever at catching punchers."
"Well, I reckon I'd better take her, go broke or not," replied
Hopalong. "Is she in her room?"
"She is, but she is not alone," responded the clerk. "There is a
dude puncher up there with her and she left word here that she was
indisposed, which means that you are outlawed."
"Who is he?" Asked Hopalong, having his suspicions. "That friend of
yours: Ewalt. He sported a wad this morning when she passed him, and
she let him make her acquaintance. He's another easy mark. He'll be
busted wide open to-night."
"I reckon I'll see Tex," suggested Hopalong, starting for the
stairs.
"Come back, you chump!" cried the clerk. "I don't want any shooting
here. What do you care about it? Let her have him, for it's an easy
way out of it for you. Let him think he's cut you out, for he'll spend
all the more freely. Get your crowd and enlighten them-it'll be better
than a circus. This may sound like a steer, but it's straight.
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