“All right. Remember he was headin’ away from this country so fast that he couldn’t wait on a lame horse. Just at that time he grabbed the first horse he got his hands on. Would he care whose horse it was? He didn’t know which way we were going. I’ll bet he don’t know yet whose horse he’s ridin’. And yuh must remember he came back here, Slim. Kid Glover is down there in the breaks, hidin’ out. He ain’t hidin’ out because he stole my horse.”
“That’s the worst of talkin’ with you,” sighed Slim. “I get an idea that I’m kinda proud about, and along you come and shoot it full of holes. Why don’tcha tell me a few, so I can argue yuh out of ’em?”
“I never express mine,” grinned Hashknife. “At least, not until they’re hole-proof. Suppose we go and eat? I’m shore hungry and it’s almost dark.”
Chuck and Sleepy were in front of the Red Arrow when Hashknife and Slim came out, and Chuck went over to take care of the office, while Sleepy followed the other two men up to the restaurant.
Chuck was standing in the doorway of the office when Butch Reimer and Sorensen rode in. Reimer reined his horse over to the sheriff’s office, where he dismounted and came in where Chuck was lighting the lamp.
“Thought I’d stay in town tonight,” said Butch. “Lost two of my hired men today, and I’m kinda leary over what has already happened.”
“I don’t blame yuh,” grinned Chuck. “Set down. Things like that kinda make yuh jumpy. I know I’d be jumpy.”
While they were talking a man came in, carrying a telegram, which he handed to Chuck.
“Thought yuh might want it,” he said, laughing. “See if there’s any answer.”
Chuck opened the envelope and took out the telegram, which read: