“But do yuh reckon they’ll work on the case?” asked Jack Ralston.
“We can soon find out. I’m curious to see him. It may not be the same man, but we can soon find that out, too.”
Kelsey obtained a buggy at the livery-stable, in which he and Cates rode out to the HJ, while Ralston followed them on horseback. But they did not find Hashknife and Sleepy at the ranch. Kelsey introduced Cates to the two girls, and Cates found out that Hartley’s name was Hashknife.
“They rode away this morning with Honey Bee,” said Peggy. “No, I don’t know where they were going, Mr. Kelsey, nor when they’ll come back.”
“I see,” nodded Cates. “Well, would you mind telling Hartley that William Cates, of the Wells-Fargo, is in Pinnacle City and is anxious to see him?”
“Why, certainly I’ll tell him,” replied Peggy. “Do you know him?”
Cates smiled and shook his head.
“Only by reputation. I happened to mention his name to the sheriff and found that he was here at your ranch. He will find me at the Pinnacle Hotel.”
They rode back to the gate, where Ralston told Kelsey he was going out to the Circle M.
“I’ve got a pair of boots out there,” explained Ralston. “And if I don’t get ’em pretty soon, somebody’ll be wearin’ ’em.”