Eugene Manlove Rhodes

“ Despite himself, Baca had to laugh.
"What are you going to blackmail me for?"
"About two thousand," said Jones.
"But what have I done?"
"Good Lord, man!" said Jones blankly. "I don't know!"
"Come!" said Baca, and clapped his persecutor on the back. "I like a brave man, even if he is a damned fool! Come home to supper with me. I've got a little bachelor establishment beyond the Park, with an old Mexican hombre who can give you the best meal in town."
"You're on! And after supper, then we can fix up that mortgage, can't we? ”

“ Chapter VI IN the lobby of the Windsor Hotel, as Neighbor Jones came down the stairs, Mr. Octaviano Baca chatted with a little knot of guests. A well-set-up man, tall and strong, with a dark, intelligent face marred and pitted by smallpox but still pleasing, he carried his two score years with the ease of twenty. A gay man, a friendly man, his manner was suave and easy; his dress, place considered, rigorously correct—frock coat, top hat, stick, gloves and gun. The gun was covered, not concealed, by the coat ”

“ If boys like you had plenty of money I wouldn't never have to work. Well, hurry on back! And come straight here the first night, before you waste any on clothes and saddles and stuff." He lowered his voice for Neighbor's ears. ”