He shrank from the possibility of being told that Mary V wished to have nothing to do with him.

So pride stiffened his determination to go on and let them think what they pleased of him.
Bland came back with a furtive look in his pale-blue eyes.

Johnny gave him a keenly appraising glance, edged close and sniffed, and decided that he was too suspicious and that Bland's sneaking look was merely an outcropping of his nature and had nothing to do with prohibition.
Bland had the supplies in a gunny sack and made haste to stow them away to the best advantage.
Bland carried a guilty conscience.

The hotel clerk had hailed him as he passed and had inquired for Johnny.

"Long distance" had a call for him, and had insisted that Johnny be found at once and put in connection with the "party" who wished to talk with him.