A MAN'S WORD When Lawler finally emerged from the schoolhouse door there was no one about.

Far down the street, in front of a building, he saw a group of children.

Lawler recognized the building as the Wolf Saloon--so named because of the river that ran through the town.

He had no doubt that Singleton had entered the building--that would explain the presence of the children in front of it.
But Lawler merely glanced toward town; he turned instantly and gazed long into the great stretch of plain that ran eastward.

He caught sight of a dot on his right, so far away that it was dim in the haze of distance, and he knew Ruth had followed his advice.
Lawler watched the dot until it vanished, and when he turned again--to mount Red King--his color had returned, though something of the mighty passion that had gripped him was still swimming in his eyes.
He sent Red King into town at a slow lope, not even looking toward the Wolf as he passed it, but hearing subdued voices that seemed to die away as he drew close.
He brought Red King to a halt in front of the brick building in which Gary Warden had his office, dismounted, tied the horse to a hitching rail and strode to an open doorway from which ran the stairs that led to the second floor.