“You bet there’s something the matter!â€� the cattleman roared. “There’s a whole lot the matter! My hoss has been taken right from under my nose—stolen from Eagles in broad daylight! What kind of a town is this, anyway? Hey you!â€� He strode over to a cowboy who was leaning against the door jamb at Rimor’s. Roy and Teddy realized that he was the man they had noticed when they reached town.
“You know anything about three hosses that were tied to that rail?�
The puncher tilted his head back, and looked insolently out from under the rim of his hat.
“What hosses?�
“My hosses! Those boys over there tied them to the rail. Now they’re gone! You see anything of ’em?�
“Nope.�
“How long you been here?�
“Not so long.�
“You were here when we rode in!� Teddy cried hotly, crossing the street. “He must have seen them, Dad; he’s been there for half an hour. The ponies were stolen while Roy and I came around to the front of the station to watch for the train.�
The puncher turned his head lazily and stared coldly at Teddy.