“Why did King run away?” asked the sheriff.
Hashknife had never taken his eyes off Larrimer and his men, who remained motionless.
“He didn’t run away,” said Hashknife. “I seen him start, and I knew why he started. He wanted to catch the men who were responsible. We got to the shack too quick, I reckon. Four of the gang hadn’t quite reached there, and was able to make their getaway.
“If some of yuh will take a look at four of them horses in the corral over there, you’ll see that they came home real fast. Eph King was headed for the Turkey Track, when you headed him off. He knew where the leader of the gang was headin’ for, Sudden. You fellers made a mistake in throwin’ lead at Eph King, ’cause he was merely comin’ to collect from the man who had double-crossed him—Ed Larrimer, the man who planned the scheme that would put every cowman in Lo Lo Valley on a dead-line, while him and his crew from the JN outfit looted Lo Lo Valley. Hold still, Curt! Easy everybody!
“Ed, you and yore gang killed old Ed Barber. Boomer Bates mistook MacLeod for me or Sleepy, and killed him. Yore gang broke into Hork’s store and stole them shells, so that the cattlemen would be short of ammunition. And you killed Preston. He knew you as Ed Larrimer. Mebbe you was afraid that Jack Hartwell’s wife might tell what passed between you and Preston at Jack’s ranch, so you killed Preston and kidnapped Jack’s wife. Now, you murderin’ pup, what do yuh say?”
For several moments Larrimer did not move nor speak. Then he straightened slightly, wearily and turned to the sheriff.
“Sudden, I’ve never heard so many lies in my life. I don’t even know half what he’s talkin’ about. The man is crazy.”
Larrimer’s voice was absolutely sincere, convincing. Sudden cleared his throat and shifted his feet, while Jack looked imploringly at Hashknife, who was still tensed, grinning. King was trying to sit up, bracing his hands against the ground.
“Help him, Jack,” urged Hashknife softly.
Jack went quickly to King and lifted him to a sitting position. The big sheepman turned his white face to the crowd, staring at every one. Then—