I did not get a fair look at her, but it stands to reason that a high-toned young lady like Nellie Wynn don't go trap'sing along the wood like a Pike County tramp.

I took the bet.

May be you know if she's here or in Excelsior ?" Mr.Brace felt himself turning pale with eagerness and excitement.

But the near prospect of seeing her presently gave him back his caution, and he answered truthfully that he had left her in Excelsior, and that in his two hours' sojourn in Indian Spring he had not once met her.
"But," he added, with a Californian's reverence for the sanctity of a bet, "I reckon you'd better make it a standoff for twenty-four hours, and I'll find out and let you know." Which, it is only fair to say, he honestly intended to do.
With a hurried nod of parting, he continued in the direction of the Woods.

When he had satisfied himself that the strangers had entered the settlement and would not follow him for further explanation, he quickened his pace.