He did not swear it to himself; he had no need.
They rode on to Fred Thurman's ranch, dismounted at Warfield's suggestion--which amounted to a command--and began a careful search of the premises.

If Warfield had felt any doubt of Lone's loyalty he appeared to have dismissed it from his mind, for he sent Lone to the stable to search there, while he and Hawkins went into the house.

Lone guessed that the two felt the need of a private conference after their visit to the Quirt, but he could see no way to slip unobserved to the house and eavesdrop, so he looked perfunctorily through all the sheds and around the depleted haystacks,--wherever a person could find a hiding place.

He was letting himself down through the manhole in the stable loft when Swan's voice, lowered almost to a whisper, startled him.
"What the hell!" Lone ejaculated under his breath.

"I thought you were on another trail!" "That trail leads here, Lone.