"Why not Doctor Taggess?" Philip suggested.
"Good idee," the officer replied, "for he knows both of us."
"An' he knows the colt, too," said the claimant.
"Better and better," Philip declared, for anything would have been preferable, at Claybanks or any other Western town, to being known as a merchant to whom a thief could sell anything.
Fortunately the Doctor was at home; he came to the store, identified the claimant, vouched for his honesty and truthfulness, and then identified the colt as the claimant's property. Philip told the entire story to the Doctor, who said there was nothing to do but surrender the horse—or repurchase him.
"How much do you want for him, Mr. Marney?"
"Ye ain't said what ye give a'ready."
"No; that's a different matter. What is your price?"
"Cash, note, or trade?"
"Whichever you like, if the figures are right."