Chapter 24
The train rattled through yet another stretch of scrubland that looked exactly like the last ten miles, and Trunk Palmer checked his pocket watch for the fourth time in an hour, as if the country outside might hurry itself along for his benefit.
He'd sent men on lesser errands before, but this one he'd wanted to see to himself. A fortune this size didn't want handling by a hired man who might get the details wrong, or worse, get some idea into his head about what a grateful stranger might pay for good news delivered early.
There were three other claim holders scattered through this stretch of territory besides Tolliver, which at least made the trip worth the time it was costing him.
Still, he thought, watching the same flat country roll past the window, a man could grow old on a train before Arizona ever got around to producing a decent-sized town.