“Could it be that Torres is in with the Tumblin’ H outfit, and they killed Blair to keep him from tellin’ somethin’?” he asked himself.
It looked plausible. Anyway, it was worth thinking over.
A little later Ike Marsh drove in, bringing the disgruntled Jack Hill to town, and Jack Baum, looking from the saloon window, saw them stop in front of the hotel, where the stranger got out and went inside. Ike drove to a hitch-rack and tied the team.
Before he left the rack, Hashknife and Sleepy rode in and tied their horses at the same rack. Baum lost no time in telling Baldy about it.
“The young feller seemed to walk pretty good,” said Jack.
“Probably quittin’ the ranch,” said Baldy. “I’ve got to see him as soon as I can. Yuh never can tell what he knows about that damn layout at the Tumblin’ H.”
“What about these three punchers?” asked Baum. “We owe ’em somethin’ for that other deal, Baldy.”
“Not yet,” cautioned Baldy. “Sing small just now. We don’t care what they think, sabe?”
The three cowboys from the Tumbling H came in and almost bumped into the three from the K-10. It was their first meeting since the escape of Torres, but Baldy did not seem to hold any grievance. He grinned at Hashknife and invited them all to have a drink.
“How’s the wrist?” asked Hashknife, after they had accepted the invitation.