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 favor 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.”
“It would be worth a lot to have him behind the bars,” said Merrick seriously.
“Or under the sod,” added Layton.
“Let’s boost it another thousand,” suggested Merrick. “It won’t hurt to make it worth while.”
McLaren turned to Layton.
“What do ye say, Ross?”
“Oh, it’s all right with me,” said the little man, hooking his thumbs inside the armholes of his fancy vest. “Seems to me it’s like making conversational bets—they’re never won or lost. Personally, I’d like to see more action and less interest in what the man’s scalp is worth.”