Tesno hadn't noticed the little rat-faced man, who must have just
arrived. He stepped forward importantly.
"Madrid just bought a horse at the livery. _Bought_ it, Mr. Tesno. He
just rode out of town. Took the road to the camp. He's riding with
saddlebags and a blanket roll."
Tesno hurried toward the door. As he reached it, Persia was suddenly
behind him, calling to him, dabbing frantically at her face with a
handkerchief.
"Jack wait. I was so wrong!"
"When _you_ get hurt, you're wrong," he said, turning angrily.
"You're cruel," she said. "I'm glad you're cruel. You've made me see--"
"I'm in a hurry, Persia."
"Jack, don't let it end for us. I need you. I think you need me."
"What we need, we can't have," he said with soft and incisive
bitterness. "We need Willie Silverknife alive."
He jerked open the door and strode into the sunlight.