The following morning found Kent in Standing Rock closeted with Gallup. Kent was a nervous wreck. Molly had refused to speak to him; his men were sullen, aloof; Tobias had been back about the notes, and to top it all the specter of Johnny Dice walked beside him wherever he went.
“You been seein’ ghosts, too?” Aaron asked.
“You know, then, eh?” old Jackson answered miserably. “I saw him as plain as I’m seein’ you, Gallup. The girl did, too. I’ll never forget how it moaned. I used to laugh at men who believed in haunts.” Kent shook his head. “I’m past doin’ that now. When did you see it?”
“Last night. It was here—but it ain’t no haunt. It’s Dice himself! I found footprints beneath the window this mornin’. Let him come ag’in. I won’t miss him a second time.”
“You mean he’s alive—that he a
