The stableman appeared.
"That tall, smooth-faced man, in a high hat, who came with the lady," said the clerk severely and concisely,--"didn't you tell me he was gone ?" "Yes, sir," said the stableman.
"Are you sure ?" interrupted Mrs.Barker, with a dazzling smile that, however, masked a sudden tightening round her heart.
"Quite sure, miss," said the stableman, "for he was in the yard when Steptoe came, after missing the coach.

He wanted a buggy to take him over to the Divide.

We hadn't one, so he went over to the other stables, and he didn't come back, so I reckon he's gone.

I remember it, because Steptoe came by a minute after he'd gone, in another buggy, and as he was going to the Divide, too, I wondered why the gentleman hadn't gone with him." "And he left no message for me?
He said nothing ?" asked Mrs.Barker, quite breathless, but still smiling.
"He said nothin' to me but 'Isn't that Steptoe over there ?' when Steptoe came in.

And I remember he said it kinder suddent--as if he was reminded o' suthin' he'd forgot; and then he asked for a buggy.