They paid for their candy and went outside, looking into their sacks.
“That must have been Hartley,” said Kelsey. “He didn’t lose any time in followin’ us to town. He was at the HJ when we brought the body past there. I wonder what he found?”
McLaren shook his head. He hadn’t any idea nor was he interested in knowing.
Kelsey went back to the court-house, where he found Fred Coburn, the county attorney, at his office. He laid the facts of the case before Coburn, who listened to Kelsey’s story of finding the body of the brakeman.
“All right,” said Coburn briskly. “Make out a new reward notice, Len. Offer the reward, dead or alive. I’ll file a charge of first degree murder against Rich. Personally I think he killed Jim Wheeler, although that would be hard to make stick. This is a cinch. Better see if the commissioners don’t want to boost that reward. When Ludlow comes I’m sure the bank will boost it. Rich is going to make one break too many—and we’ll get him.”
“That’s a cinch, Coburn. See yuh later.”
As he came from the attorney’s office he met Ed Merrick, Angus McLaren and Ross Layton, the three commissioners.
“I was just going to look for you fellers,” he said. “Just had a talk with Coburn about the reward. He’s goin’ to file first degree murder against Joe Rich and wants me to make up a new reward notice, offering it for him, dead or alive. How about boostin’ the ante, eh?”
McLaren shook his head quickly.
“I’m not in favour of it. There’s already thirty-five hundred offered, and I’ve no doubt the railroad company will add to that for the death of the brakeman.”