"I thought to hang round and get a chance to speak to you first, when I fell afoul of the old man.

He didn't know me, and tumbled right in my little game.

Why, do you believe he wants to hire me for my grub and liquor, to act as a sort of sentry over you and the ranch ?" And here he related with great gusto the substance of his interview.

"I reckon as he's that suspicious," he concluded, "I'd better play it out now as I've begun, only it's mighty hard I can't see you here before the fire in your fancy toggery, Flip, but must dodge in and out of the wet underbrush in these yer duds of yours that I picked up in the old place in the Gin and Ginger Woods." "Then you came here just to see me ?" asked Flip.
"I did." "For only that ?" "Only that." Flip dropped her eyes.

Lance had got his other arm around her waist, but her resisting little hand was still potent.
"Listen," she said at last without looking up, but apparently talking to the intruding arm, "when Dad comes I'll get him to send you to watch the diamond pit.