"It seems to be getting the fashion to be anxious," he drawled, and waited placidly for her to speak.
"You just about swear by old Baumberger, don't you ?" she began presently, fiddling with her lead pencil and going straight to the heart of what she wanted to say.
"Well, I dunno.

I've kinda learned to fight shy of swearing by anybody, Miss Georgie." His mild blue eyes settled attentively upon her flushed face.
"That's some encouragement, anyhow," she sighed.

"Because he's the biggest old blackguard in Idaho and more treacherous than any Indian ever could be if he tried.

I just thought I'd tell you, in case you didn't know it.

I'm certain as I can be of anything, that he's at the bottom of this placer-claim fraud, and he's just digging your ranch out from under your feet while he wheedles you into thinking he's looking after your interests.