"Awhile ago," said Steve, "you had won three months' salary."

"I'm still twenty dollars to the good," said the Virginian.
"That's better than breaking a laig."

Again, in some voiceless, masonic way, most people in that saloon
had become aware that something was in process of happening.
Several left their games and came to the front by the bar.

"If he ain't in bed yet--" mused the Virginian.

"I'll find out," said I. And I hurried across to the dim sleeping
room, happy to have a part in this.

They were all in bed; and in some beds two were sleeping. How
they could do it--but in those days I was fastidious. The
American had come in recently and was still awake.

"Thought you were to sleep at the store?" said he.

So then I invented a little lie, and explained that I was in
search of the Virginian.

"Better search the dives," said he. "These cow-boys don't get to
town often."

At this point I stumbled sharply over something.

"It's my box of Consumption Killer," explained the drummer;
"Well, I hope that man will stay out all night."