By nightfall Kate had the hope that her father might live. DoctorCarpy, indeed, promised as much, though he confessed to Laramie that hewas partly bluffing. It was, he explained, a question of constitutionand nerve and he thought Barb had both. For better care he had himbrought to town, and within the same hospital walls that shelteredDoubleday, lay Stone, in even more serious condition. The sole promiseCarpy would make concerning him was that he would fit him up either fortrial, or for his museum--or, as Lefever suggested, for both.
The excitement of the town lay in the pursuit of Van Horn. Laramieduring the first uncertain days of her father's condition stayed withinKate's call.
"While Van Horn's loose, Jim," said Tenison one day, "you're the manthat's in danger; don't forget that."
"I'd like to forget it," he returned. "But I guess it wouldn't be justexactly safe to. Barb warned me yesterday to look out for asurprise--Van Horn's good at them. Then again he may have left thecountry--there's no word of him from anybody yet.
"Things up at Barb's ranch have got to have some attention," hecontinued. "Barb will be laid up a long time; and if I don't see afterthings the banks will. I'm going to take McAlpin up there tomorrow."
The two men were sitting before a large window in the hotel office. AsMcAlpin's name was mentioned they saw the man himself steppingsailor-fashion at a lively pace up Main Street. He made for the hotel,burst through the office door and headed straight for Laramie:
"Kitchen's just rode into the barn, Jim, with word from Lefever andSawdy--they've got track of Van Horn. He come to Pettigrew's ranchyesterday for food and a fresh horse. One of John Frying Pan's boysseen him. Lefever says they've got him located near the head waters ofthe Crazy Woman. You know that rough country east of Pettigrew's?Lefever says if you'll get right up there and watch the creek, he can'tget away. The boys at Pettigrew's say he's got lots of ammunition;Lefever and Sawdy stayed at Pettigrew's last night."
At the barn, Kitchen, who had ridden in from the Doubleday ranch, hadfew details to add. But the Indian runner that brought the word fromLefever and Sawdy had made it clear to Kitchen the two were dependingon Laramie to help them bottle Van Horn up.
Laramie laid the news before Kate at the hospital. He called her fromher father's room and they talked at the end of the corridor.
She looked at him wistfully: "I don't want you to go, Jim," shewhispered.
Her hands lay on his free arm. "I don't want to go, Kate," he said."But the boys have sent to me for help--what can I do? He's a hundredtimes more my enemy than theirs. The only interest they've got inrounding him up is friendship for me and you. Suppose they close withhim and get killed?"
Kate could only look up into his eyes: "Suppose you get killed, Jim?"
He hesitated. Then he looked down into her own eyes: "You'd know I didwhat I ought to do, Kate."
She withdrew herself from his embrace and looked at him: "I know you'regoing, Jim; only, don't ask me to say 'go.' I couldn't bear to think_I_ sent you."
McAlpin had armed himself and was determined, despite Laramie'sprotests, to ride with him. The plucky boss was saddling the poniesand stood momentarily expecting Laramie at the barn when the telephonerang.
Too occupied with his watch for Laramie to give it any heed, McAlpinlet it ring. And the barn men let it ring. It rang, seemingly, moreand more sharply until McAlpin, with an impatient exclamation, ordereda hostler to answer. "It's you, McAlpin," bawled the hostler from theoffice, "and they want you quick."
McAlpin hurried to the instrument and glued his ear to the receiver.Tenison was on the wire. He spoke low and fast: "Is Laramie there?"
"No."
"Where is he?"
"Couldn't tell you, Harry, I'm lookin' for him every minute."
"Drop everything. Find him quick or you'll be too late. Van Horn's intown."
McAlpin gasped and swallowed: "What d' y' mean, Harry?"