CHAPTER XV.
Gus Briskow was waiting at the cashier's desk for his bill when the bustle of incoming guests told him that the morning train had arrived.
Probably it had brought that "gentleman of importance" to whom the manager had referred.

"To hell with people like that manager!" the Texan muttered.

He would take his family back home and chance no more humiliations like this.

And to think that he had allowed that dancing monkey to escape when he could have shot him as well as not! Briskow's chain of thought was broken by a slap on the back that nearly drove him through the cashier's window; then by a loud, cheery greeting.

The next moment he found himself actually embraced by--Gus could not believe his eyes--by Calvin Gray! The latter's affectionate greeting, his frank delight at seeing the Texan, caused people in the lobby to center amused attention upon them, and induced those behind the desk to regard Briskow with new respect.
"Gus! You precious pirate! My, but I'm glad to see you! Ma and Allie are well, I know; they couldn't be otherwise here.