He who rapped did not wait for an answer; they heard the door creak open, the sound of a heavy man's step.
"It's Vic," said Dan quietly, and then the door opened which led into the kitchen and the tall form of Gregg entered.

He paused there.
"Here I am again, ma'am." "Good evening," she answered faintly.
He cleared his throat, embarrassed.
"Darned if I didn't play a fool game today--hello, Dan." The other nodded.
"Rode in a plumb circle and come back where I started." He laughed, and the laughter broke off a little shortly.

He stepped to the wall and hung up his bridle on its peg, which is the immemorial manner of asking hospitality in the mountain-desert.

"Hope I ain't puttin' you out, Kate.
I see you got company." She started, recalled from her thoughts.
"Excuse me, Vic.

Vic Gregg, Buck Daniels, Lee Haines." They shook hands, and Vic detained Haines a moment.
"Seems to me I've heard of you, Haines." "Maybe." Gregg looked at the big man narrowly, and then swung back towards Dan.
He knew many things, now.