The next block, on both sides of the street, was a solid row of saloons, resorts, hotels.  Saddled horses stood hitched all along the sidewalk in two long lines, with a buckboard and team here and there breaking the continuity.  This block was busy and noisy.

From all outside appearances, Linrock was no different from other frontier towns, and my expectations were scarcely realized.

As the afternoon was waning I retraced my steps and returned to the ranch.  The driver boy, whom I had heard called Dick, was looking for me, evidently at Miss Sampson’s order, and he led me up to the house.

It was even bigger than I had conceived from a distance, and so old that the adobe bricks were worn smooth by rain and wind.  I had a glimpse in at several doors as we passed by.

There was comfort here that spoke eloquently of many a freighter’s trip from Del Rio.  For the sake of the young ladies, I was glad to see things little short of luxurious for that part of the country.

At the far end of the house Dick conducted me to a little room, very satisfactory indeed to me.  I asked about bunk-houses for the cowboys, and he said they were full to overflowing.

“Colonel Sampson has a big outfit, eh?”

“Reckon he has,” replied Dick.  “Don’ know how many cowboys.  They’re always comin’ an’ goin’.  I ain’t acquainted with half of them.”

“Much movement of stock these days?”

“Stock’s always movin’,” he replied with a queer look.

“Rustlers?”

But he did not follow up that look with the affirmative I expected.

“Lively place, I hear—­Linrock is?”

“Ain’t so lively as Sanderson, but it’s bigger.”

“Yes, I heard it was.  Fellow down there was talking about two cowboys who were arrested.”

“Sure.  I heerd all about thet.  Joe Bean an’ Brick Higgins—­they belong heah, but they ain’t heah much.”

I did not want Dick to think me overinquisitive, so I turned the talk into other channels.  It appeared that Miss Sampson had not left any instructions for me, so I was glad to go with Dick to supper, which we had in the kitchen.

Dick informed me that the cowboys prepared their own meals down at the bunks; and as I had been given a room at the ranch-house he supposed I would get my meals there, too.

After supper I walked all over the grounds, had a look at the horses in the corrals, and came to the conclusion that it would be strange if Miss Sampson did not love her new home, and if her cousin did not enjoy her sojourn there.  From a distance I saw the girls approaching with Wright, and not wishing to meet them I sheered off.

When the sun had set I went down to the town with the intention of finding Steele.

This task, considering I dared not make inquiries and must approach him secretly, might turn out to be anything but easy.

While it was still light, I strolled up and down the main street.  When darkness set in I went into a hotel, bought cigars, sat around and watched, without any clue.