“Maybe you got better reasons for trustin’ me than you know,” Robin observed. “Probably I hate a thief and a crook and a cold-blooded killer worse than you do, even if I have no stock to be stolen. Anyway, I have an idea. Will you stake me to about five thousand dollars?”
Sutherland stared at him for a minute, reached into a drawer and took out a check-book.
“I suppose,” he rumbled as he handed over the green slip, “it ain’t any of my business what you aim to do with my money?”
“You’ll get good value for it or you’ll get it back.” Robin grinned. “Now, about this T Bar S stuff? Will you leave me handle ’em my own way for a while?”
Sutherland nodded.
“One other thing,” Robin continued. “Have you figured out any move of your own about Shinin’ Mark? Because I’m apt to try something and we don’t want to work at cross-purposes.”
“No,” Sutherland shook his head. “I’ve kept close tab on him an’ Thatcher all spring. They haven’t made a move except the old game of throwin’ back unbranded calves, which ain’t criminal until they start usin’ the iron. Ten years back I’d ’a’ picked my own men an’ treated Mark to a rawhide necktie or shot him like any other wolf. But takin’ the law into your own hands ain’t either necessary nor good policy no more. I’ll have to think over this a while. He’ll keep. When I figure out a move, I’ll let you know. Meantime, go ahead your own way.”
“The boys are kinda wishful to celebrate the Fourth,” Robin said. “I might let ’em ride into Big Sandy. Where’s the Block S round-up?”
“Finishin’ up on the flats east of town,” Sutherland told him. “They’ll be in for the Fourth. There’s to be some sports. I’d as soon you weren’t there, kid. You’re hot-headed. You might run foul of Mark. He is bad. Don’t think he ain’t because you made him weaken in the store that day. I wouldn’t want you to go to hell in a fog of powder smoke from a cow thief’s gun.”
“I won’t make no such finish. You can gamble on that,” Robin answered. “Anyway the J7 riders may be in Big Sandy for the Fourth but I won’t be among those present. I’ve got a good segundo, Tom Hayes by name. I’m goin’ to let him run the outfit for a few days. Now, I’m goin’ to ride. I could use a fresh horse.”