“Yes, sir.”
“This is Ramsey. I have just had a report that a large number of sheep have been smuggled into your district up the small ravines to the west of the main road and chute. Do you know anything about it?”
“I know the sheep are there,” Scott replied, “I saw them to-day, but I could not figure out how they got in. I did not think they could get them up those cañons.”
“Whereabouts are they now and how many of them are there?”
“I visited all the bands in the district to-day and found every one of them running over from five hundred to twelve hundred. Must be four thousand in all.”
“Are you sure there was no mistake in the count yesterday?”
There was an emphasis on the “sure” that Scott did not like and he answered with some dignity. “I do not know anything about the counting, Mr. Ramsey. Mr. Dawson ordered me out on a fire early yesterday morning and put Heth in charge of the counting. I have not seen Heth since.”
“Why didn’t you report those extras?” the voice was hard as steel and Scott knew exactly how he looked.
“I came in only a little while ago, sir. I tried to report to Mr. Dawson at once, but he was not at home. I intended to try him again after supper and then report to you if he was not yet home. I think that a recount should be made at once.”
“Dawson was in here this afternoon,” Mr. Ramsey replied. “He is the one who reported the rumor to me. I’ll take the matter of a recount up with him as soon as he has had time to get home. I am glad that you were able to discover the trespass so promptly. But remember,” and the voice was hard once more, “that you are responsible for seeing that no more get in that way. Good-night.”