"I hope your papers are all straight," observed Mr. Ogden to Bud's father.
"What papers?"
"Your deeds and documents that give you the right to land on this side of Spur Creek. If there's a legal question the sheep men may try to jump some of your claims."
"Oh, I guess not," said Mr. Merkel easily. "My papers are all in my safe, and I can prove title by them easily enough. But, gentlemen, what are we going to do? That's the question now. What are we going——"
Mr. Merkel never finished that sentence. For he was interrupted by a fusillade of shots just outside—shots in the night.
An instant later every man in the conference room, and the boy ranchers included, had leaped to his feet, and many hands sought the "guns" that were within easy reach.
"Some of your cowboys disporting themselves?" asked Mr. Ogden of the owner of Diamond X.
Mr. Merkel shook his head.
"Nothing like that," he remarked.
Some one yelled—there were more shots and then the voice of Slim Degnan, foreman of the ranch, was heard shouting: