Steen squinted at Hashknife and spat thoughtfully.
“Is that right, Hashknife?”
“Would I lie to you, Bill?”
“No, by ——, I don’t think you would.”
“And so they think I’m a thief, do they?” gritted King. “They branded me a thief years ago; so it’s easy for them to slap on the old brand again. They think that I’m holdin’ ’em on this dead-line while my men sneak in behind ’em and take their —— cows. By ——, that’s a good idea, too good for me to ever think of doin’.”
Steen got to his feet and threw away his cigaret.
“I can see the whole —— thing, Eph,” he declared. “I’ve been afraid that somethin’ was wrong.”
He turned to Hashknife.
“You know where to find these rustlers?”
“I know where their bed rolls were today.”