He had never met this kind of creature
before. He had surpassed even Hamlin's first intuition of his character.
He amused and interested him. But Mr. Hamlin was also a man of the
world, and knew that Van Loo's reasoning might be good. He put his hands
in his pockets, and said gravely, "What IS your little game?"
Van Loo had been seized with another inspiration of desperation. Steptoe
had been partly responsible for this situation. Van Loo knew that Jack
and Steptoe were not friends. He had certain secrets of Steptoe's that
might be of importance to Jack. Why should he not try to make friends
with this powerful free-lance and half-outlaw?
"It's a game," he said significantly, "that might be of interest to your
friends to hear."
Hamlin took his hands out of his pockets, turned on his heel, and said,
"Come with me."
"But I must go by that coach now," said Van Loo desperately, "or--I've
told you what would happen."
"Come with me," said Jack coolly. "If I'm satisfied with what you tell
me, I'll put you down at the next station an hour before that coach gets
there."
"You swear it?" said Van Loo hesitatingly.
"I've SAID it," returned Jack. "Come!" and Van Loo followed Mr. Hamlin
into the station hotel.
CHAPTER VI.
The abrupt disappearance of Jack Hamlin and the strange lady and
gentleman visitor was scarcely noticed by the other guests of the Divide
House, and beyond the circle of Steptoe and his friends, who were a
distinct party and strangers to the town, there was no excitement.
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