When Hopalong swung from the saddle, the Nevada Saloon was ablaze with lights.  While loosening the girth he studied the street.  Supper should be over at Katie's, and the saloons were doing a rushing business.  A cool wind from off the mountains had emptied the street of loafers, and he saw but one man, a solitary figure, leaning idly against an awning support in front of a darkened saddle shop.  The man wore miner's boots and a nondescript hat.

Hopalong knocked the dust from his hat, remembering the accusations Lenny Ronson had made.  Her attitude had changed since the morning he arrived.  Had it been because of learning he was to be right-hand man to her brother?  Or because of something she had learned from Clarry Jacks at their meeting in Majuba Canyon?

The last seemed most probable, especially as she reported to him what she had heard was being said in Seven Pines.

He scowled unhappily.  Were such things really being said?  The place to find out was at Katie's.

And Ben Lock was in town looking for him.  Had Lock said he would kill him?  Or was that just Lenny talking?  Or Jacks speaking through her?  Ben Lock came of feudal stock, and he might shoot first and ask questions after.  Hopalong crossed the street to Katie's, and pushing open the door, he stepped in.

Katie smiled quickly.  She was alone in the restaurant.

"Katie," Cassidy asked quickly, "is Ben Lock in town?"

Her face grew serious instantly.  "He sure is, Mr. Cassidy, and he wants to talk to you."

"What sort of hombre is he?"

Katie Regan hesitated, then shook her head.  "I - I don't know.  He's under thirty, good-looking in a sharp, rugged way, and he doesn't, smile very much.  Jesse almost worshiped him.  He was always telling me things Ben had done.

"They were in some feud in Missouri before coming out here.  Their father and uncle were both killed, but Ben finished off the other side.  They came west together.  He works very hard, and he is strictly honest, I think.  And he loved his brother."

Hopalong nodded thoughtfully.  "Give me some coffee," he said; then, "coffee and pie."

The door opened suddenly, and Hopalong glanced up.  The newcomers were Pony Harper and Clarry Jacks.  Both men smiled and nodded.  "Howdy, Hopalong," said Harper.  "It's all over town about you bein' here!  I reckon this is the biggest news in months!"

"Bigger than the holdups?"  Hopalong asked dryly.

Harper shrugged.  "Those holdups are gettin' so they ain't news."  He looked sharply at Hopalong.  "By the way, we had us an election today and I'm the new mayor.  There was some talk of hirin' a town marshal.  It come to me that you were just the man for the job.  How about it?"