"You don't know her."
"No, I don't," said Buffalo Jim, "but I've knowed a heap of others."
CHAPTER XX
THE SHERIFF PURGES TOWN OF BADGER
The sheriff, rather crestfallen, was obliged to return to Badger without Moffatt. Having lost all trace of him, he was suspicious that the gunfighter would strike unexpectedly from another direction; perhaps in Badger itself, relying on Johnson's absence. His acquaintance with Moffatt had been short, but sufficient to persuade Lafe that he was most to be feared when nobody knew his whereabouts.
Arrived in town and refreshed, Lafe went straight to Dutch Annie. Nobody in the community was especially predisposed toward Moffatt except a few hangers-on at the Fashion who had enjoyed his largess, and a lady known as Picnic Kate. Picnic Kate lived with Dutch Annie. Her name suffices to describe her, and as persons who have no nice friends are unworthy our consideration, I will let her case rest there. However, the sheriff had a shrewd notion that if anybody knew, or was apt to learn, anything concerning Moffatt, Picnic was the individual.
"I ain't saw him since him and you had that run-in up at the Fashion," said Kate.
The sheriff was convinced she was lying, but merely nodded.
Hetty welcomed him back with some shyness. It puzzled Johnson until he recalled the date, and then he looked troubled.