Without another word being passed on either side the Sky Line men rode out in a compact bunch, Provine and Basford nursing their hurts, the rest silent.
Bossick turned to the stranger.
“I want to thank you, Mister,” he said, “for being here.”
“It was a very great pleasure,” said Brand Fair, alias Smith. “I thought perhaps I’d forgotten how to shoot.”
With that he mounted Diamond and rode away, but two hours later he was waiting for Bossick on his home trail, where he intercepted him.
“Mr. Bossick,” he said, “I think you’re solid, so I take this liberty. I want to tell you that Sheriff Selwood and myself have picketed Sky Line for some weeks, alternately—so it was a Cathrew man who shot him, beyond question. Now let’s talk.”
A little later Bossick knew all that Brand and the sheriff knew concerning the hidden passage that opened into Blue Stone, and he was softly profane with amazement.
“There’s Old Man Conlan,” he told Fair, “and Jermyn and Reston farther up, who can be depended on. We’ll go to them at once.”
“I didn’t trust McKane,” said Fair, “do you?”
“In one way he’s all right—in another, no. He’s crazy over Cattle Kate Cathrew and would certainly serve her if possible. It’s best he doesn’t know any more than he does. You were wise to come out here to talk.”