"I know that is true," nodded Grandon. "Burgoyne was the boss of Kingsburg, but he spent his time here watching our movements. No wonder we could never find out anything."
"It burned down," said Bud slowly, "and we had a reg'lar he-man fight."
"From the looks of Burgoyne, I'd agree with that," said Henderson.
"But how in hell——?"
Bud stopped and apologized for his profanity, but before he could continue, Grandon said, "Joe boasted of how he ruined you with the force, Conley. Magee poisoned your drink, and they stole little Marie and forced her to drink the same liquor. Joe wanted the doctor to find you and Marie together. You see, Joe wanted you away from Miss Clarey."
"Oh!" exploded Bud, "but how——?"
"The red coat she saw was the one they stole from McKay," interrupted Grandon. "They thought she might see it. Joe wanted an excuse to break off his engagement with Marie; so he tried to kill two birds with one stone. Joe robbed Louie and left your gun beside the safe."
"Thasso?" blinked Bud. This was all news to him. "Did Burgoyne tell yuh all this?"
"No, he told nothing," declared the doctor. "But, like all of his kind, he was a boaster, and he told it all to Norah."
"Oh—yeah," breathed Bud. "Uh—well, I don't—" He turned his head and squinted at Norah, as though trying to find what it was all about.