“ ’Lo, Sheriff! Ain’t you off your range?”
The big man was booted and spurred. As he sat down something metallic on his hip struck the woodwork of the seat arm.
“Been looking for a horse thief I heard was at Red Gulch. False alarm,” he explained.
“We can’t any of us strike a warm trail every time.”
“That’s right.” The cool, hard eyes of Sheriff Matson rested quietly in those of the cattleman. “Wonder if I’m on one now. I’ve been asked to arrest a man eloping with another man’s wife, Mac.”
“I reckon Tait phoned you from Wagon Wheel.”
“You done guessed it.”
“He’s gone crazy with the heat. False alarm, sure.”
“Says his wife is aboard this train. Is she?”
“Yes.”