Besides, he knew that an attack on Dade would be resented by Betty, and he felt a strange reluctance toward further antagonizing her.

"You Texas folks are sure clever at workin' your jaws," he sneered, when Dade did not answer.

"But I reckon that lets you out.

When I'm lookin' for advice from women an' kids mebbe I'll call on you an' Betty, but if I don't you'll understand that I'm followin' my own trail.

You've got away with one call because--well, because I was fool enough to let you.
Mebbe another time I won't feel so foolish." There were few words spoken between them during the following hours of the morning, though several times Dade caught Calumet watching him with a puzzled, amused smile in which there was a sort of slumbering ferocity.