“Three of them. They stayed in the bunk house.”
“I’ve been wanting to see Art Philips. Was he one of them?”
“No. Young Silcott and Jack Cole and Hal Falkner.”
“Went back this morning, did they?” asked Matson casually. He gave rather the impression that he was making conversation to pass the time.
“Right after breakfast.”
“Jack Cole was talking about trading me a Winchester. Don’t suppose he had it with him.”
“No. Hal Falkner had one. A deer had been seen near camp, and he brought it on the chance he might see it again.”
“I like a .30-30 for deer myself. Didn’t happen to notice what Falkner carried?”
Mrs. Stovall shook her head. “A gun is a gun to me.”
“When it comes to guns I reckon a man and a woman are made different. I never see one without wanting to look it over. Mac was going to show me one of his next time I came up to the ranch. I don’t suppose——”