"Get Aspee and Hughes out immediately. Did the tracks lead toward the Cypress Hills?"
"No, sir."
"Hm-m-m!"
"A bit north-east—far as we could follow."
The Inspector paused. "What's your plan?"
"Going to scurry round—to look for the cattle."
It came with just a suggestion of defiance, as if the speaker were a little ashamed of the sound of it but was prepared to defend it. The Inspector laughed.
"God bless you!" he mocked. "How did you think of it?"
"The very cattle themselves," Faircloth persisted. "It happens——"
The Inspector's laugh became less pleasant. "And you think——"