"Ah—I thought so."
The big fellow settled back in deep thought. Stamford tried to reassure him.
"There's no need to mind Dakota. He's only a third partner and doesn't really count when it comes to a show-down."
"But I'm vastly interested in Dakota," murmured the Professor. "He seems to have something on his mind—some worry."
"They all do," Stamford blurted out.
"Ah!"
Stamford glanced from the corner of his eye at the Professor. He wanted to confide in someone. Dare he tell his suspicions to the simple friend beside him, who seemed to be stumbling on things. He decided against it; it would be no relief to himself and only add to the Professor's worry.
CHAPTER XIII
THE CONSPIRACY
After dinner the Professor announced his intention of strolling across to his friends at the cook-house, but learned from Cockney that only Bean Slade was about the place, the rest having gone out on the ranges for a few days. Bean was finishing some needed repairs about the ranch buildings, and was going to town in a couple of days for the staples.