"Thanks," he said dryly, "I reckon I'd better be moving." But the other spoke quickly.

"I beg your pardon, Mr.Acton, I did not mean that for you." The horseman dropped his hands again to the saddle horn, and resumed his lounging posture, thus tacitly accepting the apology.

"You have the advantage of me," he said.
The stranger laughed.

"Everyone knows that 'Wild Horse Phil' of the Cross-Triangle Ranch won the bronco-riding championship yesterday.

I saw you ride." Philip Acton's face showed boyish embarrassment.
The other continued, with his strange enthusiasm.