“Then the one that got off is Wellman,” one of the posse spoke up. “Right from the first shot I guessed it. I’ve heard it whispered round that they was planning to get you, and when the ruckus broke I was looking to find you two dead when we got here. I’m glad they got it instead. That whole county seat bunch needs cleaning out.”
There was a chorus of assent from the posse and under its cover Carver murmured to Bart.
“So much for background,” he said.
“It’s a right queer bit of business for them two to be at,” Mattison stated. “I’ll have to put off gathering that information from Freel. You’d better saddle up and ride on into town with me, Carver, and we’ll report this affair to the county attorney. You boys bring Freel in with you. He’s likely got a horse tied round somewheres close. Scout around till you find him. Yes, we’ve been needing a change of officials at the county seat for some time and it does look like the alteration has been effected to-night.”
Carver rode off with the marshal.
“Thanks for going to all that bother,” Carver said. “I’m indebted a lot.”
“It just evens that score,” said the marshal. “And the whole thing worked out nice. It’ll make a clean sweep in Oval Springs. Wellman won’t show up any more. I’ll venture to predict that the two Ralstons will have vanished from these parts before morning and the county attorney is scared into a state of palpitation right now. He’ll attend to all the necessary formalities to see that you’re given honorable mention instead of a trial.”
“Then after we’ve finished with him I’ll take the night train for Caldwell and loaf around a few days,” Carver announced. “I haven’t traveled to any extent for some time.”
It was nearly morning when the train pulled into Caldwell.
“No use to go to bed now,” Carver decided. “I’ll find some of the boys and set up.”