“But he’s a thief,” protested McGowan.
“He can’t be!” declared the scout.
“He was caught with the goods on. Why can’t he be?”
“Because he’s Buffalo Bill’s pard!”
Buffalo Bill’s words made an impression. There was no doubt on that score.
“Now ye’re torkin’, Buffler!” seconded Nomad. “Before an ombray kin trot with Pard Buffler he has ter show what he is. Schnitz, thar, hes done thet same. He’s a whole man, game as a hornet, an’ consequently he kain’t be er thief.”
“Wuh!” agreed Little Cayuse.
“Facts are facts, Buffalo Bill,” said McGowan.
“Sometimes facts only seem to be facts,” answered Buffalo Bill, pulling up a chair beside the baron’s and sitting down. “So far as the truth is concerned, you might just as well have those bracelets on me, as on the baron. Tell me about this.”
McGowan pushed forward his superintendent and his cyanid expert, presenting them each in turn to the scout. Both Bernritter and Jacobs were in a tremor of apprehension, for there was that in the scout’s keen, calculating eye which seemed to probe deep into their guilty minds.