“Exactly,” said Fair. “Now, sheriff, find the other end of this subterranean passage and I believe you’ll have solved the mystery of the disappearing steers.”
Price Selwood held out his hand. It was trembling.
“I can’t tell you what I owe you for this information, Mr. ——?”
“Smith—yes,” said Fair smiling.
“Smith. It means more than I can say—to me.”
“It means as much—or more—to me,” returned the other, “I’ve given two years of my life to a still-hunt for Kate Cathrew. I’d give two more to see her brought to justice.”
“And we’ll get her!” said the sheriff grimly though with a lilt of joy in his voice. “Oh, my Lord, just won’t we get her! We’ll follow this hole straight to its——”
“If I might suggest,” cut in Fair, “I’d say we’ll back out now—even brush out our tracks—and begin a systematic picketing of the Cathrew bunch. The cattle are fat on the ranges—it’ll soon be time to drive. Don’t you think it likely that another big bunch might—disappear down Nameless River?”
“Say,” said Selwood smiling. “Mister, you just move in my house with me! You can think faster and straighter than any man I ever met. Let’s go right now.”
Fair laughed and turned away, leading Diamond back down the cañon.