DELLA'S HANDKERCHIEF Dawn was just breaking when Lawler dropped from Red King at the windbreak near the line cabin.

He put the big horse in the dugout, closed the dugout door and entered the cabin.

Then he breathed a sigh of relief.
There were still some glowing embers in the fireplace, and he soon had a roaring fire, in front of which he stood for a while, meditating.
He had got Della Wharton into the Willets Hotel without, he felt certain, attracting attention.

For when they had ridden into town--taking the back way in order to avoid any sleepless citizens that might be about--it was past midnight.

Lawler had timed himself to reach town at about that hour, knowing that with the exception of a brothel or two, Willets would be dark.
He had been fortunate.