The young man nodded indifferently, not feeling unduly proud of the distinction.

“Sorry I couldn’t have been there,” the other went on cordially.  “The boys tell me you gave ’em a mighty fine show, but I ’m here to bet that some of your people wish they ’d steered clear of San Juan.”

“How’s that?”

“Why, that fat fellow—­what’s his name?—­oh, yes, Albrecht—­the sheriff was in here hunting him with some papers he had to serve, and it would have made you laugh just to see that duck climb out when I met him yonder on the street a few minutes ago, and gave him the highball.  Guest of the house, you know, and we did n’t want him pinched in here; besides, we understood he carried the scads for the rest of your bunch, and we naturally wanted our share.  The sheriff’s out tryin’ to find him now; but Lord! the fellow ’s safe enough out of the county by this time, if he skipped the way I advised him he ’d better.  There was an extra ore train goin’ down to Bolton to-night, and he just had time to catch it on the run.”

The dramatic situation slowly dawned on Winston while the clerk was speaking.

“Do you mean to tell me Albrecht has actually skipped out?” he questioned, anxiously.  “Did he leave any money?”

“Sure; he paid your folks’ board till Monday.  You bet I looked after that.”

“Board till Monday!” and Winston totally forgot himself.  “That is n’t salary, man; there is something infernally dirty about this whole deal.  Why, he took in over three thousand dollars to-night, and he’s got all of that, and at least a week’s receipts besides—­the infernal cur!  Was he alone?”

“Tall fellow with clipped black moustache, and bald head.”

“Lane; I expected as much; they’re birds of a feather.  When can they get out of the Junction?”

“Well, the first train scheduled goes east at four o’clock, but it ’s generally late.”

Winston walked twice across the floor, alternately swearing and thinking.

“Is there any way I could get there before that time?” he questioned, finally, his square jaw setting firm.

“Well, I reckon you might, by goin’ hossback across the old trail, but you ’d need to have a guide in the dark, and you ’d find it a hell of a hard ride.”

The young engineer stood a moment staring out of the window into the night.  The street was well illumined by the numerous saloon lights, and he could perceive scattering flakes of snow in the air, blown about by the gusty wind.  He no longer felt the slightest doubt regarding Albrecht’s desertion, and a wave of indignation swept over him.  He did not greatly care himself regarding the small amount of money due for his services, but it was a dirty, contemptible trick, and he resented being so easily made the victim of such a scheme.  Suddenly he wondered how this unexpected occurrence might affect the others.  With one of them alone in mind he strode back to the counter, his teeth clinched savagely.