CHAPTER XXVIII 



A dozen times that morning, dictating to Blake or indicating answers, Dick had been on the verge of saying to let the rest of the correspondence go. 

"Call up Hennessy and Mendenhall," he told Blake, when, at ten, the latter gathered up his notes and rose to go. "You ought to catch them at the stallion barn. Tell them not to come this morning but to-morrow morning." 

Bonbright entered, prepared to shorthand Dick's conversations with his managers for the next hour. 

"And--oh, Mr. Blake," Dick called. "Ask Hennessy about Alden Bessie.-- The old mare was pretty bad last night," he explained to Bonbright. 

"Mr. Hanley must see you right away, Mr. Forrest," Bonbright said, and added, at sight of the irritated drawing up of his employer's brows, "It's the piping from Buckeye Dam. Something's wrong with the plans--a serious mistake, he says." 

Dick surrendered, and for an hour discussed ranch business with his foremen and managers. 

Once, in the middle of a hot discussion over sheep-dips with Wardman, he left his desk and paced over to the window. The sound of voices and horses, and of Paula's laugh, had attracted him. 

"Take that Montana report--I'll send you a copy to-day," he continued, as he gazed out. "They found the formula didn't get down to it. It was more a sedative than a germicide. There wasn't enough kick in it..." 

Four horses, bunched, crossed his field of vision. Paula, teasing the pair of them, was between Martinez and Froelig, old friends of Dick, a painter and sculptor respectively, who had arrived on an early train. Graham, on Selim, made the fourth, and was slightly edged toward the rear. So the party went by, but Dick reflected that quickly enough it would resolve itself into two and two. 
How long did Dick discuss business?
With whom?
What kind of business where they talking about?
Which of the men left the conversation desk?
Where did he go?
What sound caught his interest?
Did he see her?
How many horses were near her?
Was Paula interacting with them?
Doing what?
Which one of Dick's friends was a painter?
Did he also know a sculptor?
Who?
Had they been friends for a long time?
When did they arrive?
Who was the rider at the back of the group?
for an hour
 for an hour
his foremen and managers
his foremen and managers
ranch business
ranch business
Dick
he left his desk and paced over to the window
over to the window
over to the window
Paula's laugh
Paula's laugh
Yes
Four horses, bunched, crossed his field of vision. Paula
Four horses
Four horses
Yes
Paula, teasing the pair of them
teasing them
teasing the pair of them
Martinez
Martinez
Yes
old friends of Dick, a painter and sculptor
Froelig
Froelig
Yes
old friends of Dick
an early train
an early train
Selim
Selim