Merrick scratched his chin and turned back to the bar. He wasn’t exactly sure whether this tall, level-eyed cowboy was making fun of him or not. He had the feeling that he was, but there was nothing to justify this feeling. Both of the strange cowboys were very serious of face, and Sleepy’s blue eyes looked entirely innocent. But Merrick did not know that Sleepy’s innocent blue eyes were his greatest asset.
“I wonder if the sheriff’s office had anythin’ to go on this mornin’,” said Merrick.
“Couple of horses,” replied Sleepy. “Now let me buy a drink, will yuh?”
“I’ve got to go kinda easy,” said Curt Bellew. “I git down here and lap up liquor, and have to eat cloves all the way back to the ranch.”
“And then prove why yuh ate cloves,” grinned Honey.
“Sure. Honey, if yo’re a wise boy, you’ll stay sober and single.”
“A-a-aw, I don’t drink much, Curt.”
“Yuh don’t get married much either, do yuh?”
“Well,” laughed Honey, “I won’t get drunk and forget to get married.”
Bellew and Merrick left the saloon and a few minutes later Honey, Hashknife and Sleepy stocked up on tobacco and rode back to the HJ.