Marsh Hartwell scowled thoughtfully, as he turned away from the old man.
“What do yuh think of it, Marsh?” asked Hodges.
“I think there’s a spy in Lo Lo Valley.”
“A spy?” queried the sheriff.
“Yeah, a spy. How did they know that Ed Barber lived in Kiopo Cañon to watch for sheep? How did they know that we’d hold our fall roundup this early in the season? By ——, somebody told ’em, some sneakin’ spy!”
Marsh Hartwell turned and looked straight at Jack. It was a look filled with meaning, and nearly every man in the room interpreted it fully. Still Jack did not flinch, as their eyes met. Some one swore softly.
“There’s only one answer to that,” said De Larimore. “Show us the spy, Hartwell. This is a time of war.”
Marsh Hartwell shook his head slowly and turned back to his seat.
“Things like that must be proven,” said Hodges. “It ain’t a thing that yuh can take snap judgment on.”
“We better put Ed between the blankets,” suggested Honey Wier. “He’s got to be in shape for the doctor to work on when he comes, so I reckon we’ll take him down to the bunk house, Marsh.”