“You say,” went on Buffalo Bill, once more facing Smith, “that you left Wild Bill on the slope leading into the cañon?”
“Yes.”
“And you haven’t seen him since?”
“Why, no. I supposed he was here. You don’t think he met with foul play, do you? I took a big liking to Wild Bill.”
“You didn’t have him very long, did you?” asked the scout keenly. “I understand you only arrived in camp yesterday afternoon, and that you and Wild Bill started for the slope right after supper. Not much time to take a liking to a man. Did you know Wild Bill before you came to Sun Dance?”
“No; never saw him before I got here. We got acquainted with each other before supper, and had a little talk over our cigars. Then we ate supper together, and then I started for Coomby’s, and Wild Bill walked with me as far as the slope. Say, I’m all broke up about this.”
“Wasn’t you talkin’ with a feller in the office afore ye got ter talkin’ with Wild Bill?” put in Spangler.
“That was Clancy,” said Smith.
“Yep,” returned Spangler, with a shake of his fat sides, “I know him, all right; and”—here Spangler gave the scout a significant glance—“Clancy ain’t got none too good a repertation in this camp.”
“You surprise me!” exclaimed J. Algernon Smith.