Harp grinned and sauntered into the back room, from whence came the sounds of razor stropping and splashing water. Silent groaned aloud.
“You touch my red tie and I’ll massacree yuh,” warned Brick.
“Where do yuh think I’m goin’—to a bull-fight?” spluttered Harp. “I’ve got a green one.”
“You must have,” observed Silent meaningly. “She must have astigmatism, too.”
Silent sneaked softly out and Brick went out behind him, while Harp swore softly and searched for something to throw at them.
The following day Brick rode through Big Elk Cañon alone. He found plenty of evidence that cattle had been butchered, but was unable to find anything that would show who owned the animals nor who had done the killing.
It was well past noon when he arrived at the Red Hill mine and found Sam Leach and Hank Stagg in Barney Devine’s office. They were all smoking cigars, and a half-empty whisky bottle was on the table. Brick knew that Hank Stagg was electioneering.
The men were all civil enough, but Brick knew that Leach and Stagg were not at all pleased at his appearance.
“How’s the sheriff?” queried Hank Stagg thickly. Hank had imbibed much of his own liquor.