"Why, sure! And while the House is in session, I might rise to remark
that I can't help bein' called 'Senator,' because I'm guilty. But,
honest, I always feel kinder toward my fellow-bein's who call me just
plain 'Steve.'"

"All right. I'll take your word for it."

"Don't you take my word for anything. How do you know but I might be
tryin' to sell you a gold mine?"

"I think the risk would be about even," said Bartley.

The Senator chuckled. "I just heard Wishful lopin' down the hall with
his bathin' outfit, so I guess the right of way is clear again. And
there goes the triangle--sounds like the old ranch, that triangle. You
see, Wishful used to be a cow-hand, and lots of cow-hands stop at this
hotel when they're in town. That triangle sounds like home to 'em. I'm
stoppin' here myself. But I got a real bathroom out to the ranch. Let's
go down and look at some beef on the plate."






CHAPTER V

"TOP HAND ONCE"