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The young heiress’s cheeks were pinkened by the cold rain Her eyes were an even paler shade of blue in the gray light An alluring wisp of flaxen hair had escaped froon at that ine it Each produced his best smile

“Charles, what are you doing here?”

“Whatever I’ my father”

But she had already turned to Abbott with a s for?”

“Not yet,” he answered seriously “I’er Please wait for me I’d rather you didn’t ride back alone”

“She won’t be alone,” said Kincaid “I’d ride her back”

“That’s exactly what I meant,” said Abbott “I’ll be back shortly, Lillian”

He rode to the fra that looked like an office, disaunt, hard-eyed man who looked to be in his late thirties opened it

“What?”

“Archie Abbott Van Dorn Agency Have you a moment for a few questions?”

“No”

Abbott stopped the door with his boot “My client is the railroad Seeing as how they’re your only customer, do you want me to complain?”

“Why didn’t you say so? Come in”

The er’s name was Gene Garret, and Abbott found it hard to believe that he was not aware that there was no way the operation could be turning a profit When Abbott pressed, pointing out the expense that had gone into the operation, Garret snapped, “The owners pay e, plus a bonus for delivery That says toa profit and then some”

Archie poked his head into the millhouse, looked over the machinery, and then joined Lillian and Kincaid, ere standing silently under the canvas lean-to with their horses It was a slow ride down the awful road to the staging yards