"Lots in it," Hepburn said heavily, "but they've got to hang together or...."
"Separately," added Dick cynically.
Hepburn nodded and Webb shifted and jerked his head petulantly.
"But there's nothin' to fret about," Dad went on. "None of us will be a leak. Cole can't because we could put him behind bars by just lettin' on that he'd used his homestead rights under another name an' had no right on this place, let alone other things.
"We can use his brand, which is why I brought him in here. I've spread the news that he's bought cows of you an' between workin' over the HC and ventin' your marks we'll have a herd here in a couple of seasons that'll make us rich!
"An' we'll have range for 'em, too. She won't stand up under a range war!"
"But Beck will," Webb protested.
"He will if you don't get rid of him!" with slow anger behind the words and a cunning glitter in his eyes. "I don't see how in hell you missed him. You must've been drunk!"
"He wasn't in his bed, I tell you. He couldn't 've been!"
"Well, if I had against him what you got, I'd get him," Hepburn stated emphatically, well satisfied, and showing it, that this was a masterly stroke. "He made you laughed at by the whole country."