At his first knock on the rear door of the hotel, Keller had appeared; and Keller had instantly grasped the situation--though he plainly told Della that she was "goin' to a whole lot of unnecessary trouble." "Why, good Lord, ma'am, I reckon you had a right to hole up with Lawler! Nobody'd be blamin' you.

They's a dozen men in this town that would make a colander out of anybody that'd hint things about a deal like that.

Lawsy, ma'am, folks has got sense, ain't they?
But if you doubt 'em, I reckon we can take care of you." Lawler prepared and ate breakfast.

It had been a tiresome ride, and after eating, knowing that there was no occasion for haste in his return to the Circle L--except that his mother would wonder over his whereabouts--he stretched out in one of the lower bunks--the one he had occupied during Della's stay in the cabin.
He had not barred the door; and when, some hours later he awoke, he saw half a dozen men in the cabin.

They were standing near the door, watching him.