As Hashknife neared the spot where Wheeler had been found he saw two saddled horses standing near the road. He drew rein and rode slowly along, wondering where the riders might be. Then he saw them about fifty feet off the road, looking around in some weeds and low brush.
They were Len Kelsey and Jack Ralston. They did not see Hashknife until he was almost up to their horses. Then they left off their search and came over to him.
“Howdy, gents,” grinned Hashknife.
Kelsey showed a slight embarrassment but nodded pleasantly.
“Just lookin’ around,” he said, as if his actions demanded an explanation. “This is where they found Jim Wheeler, yuh know.”
“That’s what they tell me. I reckon the rain wiped out any tracks yuh might expect to find.”
“Yeah, it did,” said Ralston quickly. “We found that out.”
“No sign of Joe Rich, eh?”
“Not a ⸺ sign!” snapped Kelsey, swinging into his saddle.
“I reckon he’s a pretty smart lad,” said Hashknife. “What became of the detective?”