“The messenger described the man who fought him, didn’t he?”
“Well, he said it was a big, husky sort of a feller. I don’t think there’s any question about him bein’ one of the gang. He used that dog as a reason for gettin’ on that car.”
“They why did he walk to the scene of the robbery, take the dog from the express car and disappear?”
“Prob’ly scared that some one would recognize the dog?”
“The messenger and engine crew had already seen it. If it belonged to Taylor, do yuh reckon they’d take the dog back to their ranch, where any one could find it?”
The sheriff twisted his mustache thoughtfully. This was something he had not thought about.
“Anybody would recognize that dog,” said Hashknife.
“Yore argument sounds pretty good,” admitted the sheriff. “But it don’t make much difference, because we can’t find that dog. Al Porter is glad, I suppose. The darn thing hates him. Bit him every time it had a chance. Growls every time he shows up.”
“You’ll have to find the dog before the trial, won’t yuh?”
“I s’pose the prosecutin’ attorney will raise —— if it ain’t here. Still, it’s been identified; so that prob’ly won’t make a lot of difference.”