"We'll be glad of your company.
It will stop Hazelton and myself from talking too much shop." "Oh, by all means talk shop," begged Danes, as he slipped into a chair at one side of the table.

"I shall enjoy it, for I am interested in you both.

In fact, I took the liberty of asking the waiter to point you gentlemen out to me." "So ?" Tom inquired.
Danes had the appearance of being a well-to-do easterner, and announced himself as a resident of Baltimore.
For some minutes the three chatted pleasantly, Harry, however, doing most of the talking for the engineers.

When Tom spoke it was generally to put some question.
"Do you ever permit visitors to go out to the Man-killer ?" Danes inquired toward the end of the meal.
"Sometimes," Tom answered.
"I shall be very grateful if you will accord me that privilege." "We shall be very glad to invite you out there some time," Tom answered pleasantly.
"To-day ?" pressed the stranger.

"I have nothing to do this afternoon." "Some other day would suit better, if you can arrange it conveniently," Reade suggested, as he rose.
Then they left Danes, securing their horses and riding back over the scorching desert.
"How do you like Danes ?" Harry asked, after they had ridden some distance.