“Thasso? Yo’re thought pretty well of down there, ain’t yuh?” “I’m the sheriff.” “You would be! I ’member you was allus bossin’ things when we was kids. Yo’re a right big man, I take it.” “I have somethin’ to say about things in Oro City.” “You ain’t married, I imagine.” A peculiar expression flashed across the sheriff’s face. “No, I ain’t married.” “That’s queer. You allus was kinda shineful around the wimmin’.” “Where’s the money yuh got from the bank?” The other grinned slowly. “That’s what a lawyer would call a leadin’ question.” “Don’t be a fool, Harry. I’ll make yuh a trade.” “Eh? A trade?” “Give me that money, and I turn yuh loose.” “Yea-a-ah? On the square?” “I don’t want to take yuh back. If the bank gets its money, they won’t howl very loud. I can say I made yuh drop it but that yuh got away on me.” “Brotherly love, eh?” “Love be dashed! I’d look well takin’ my own brother to jail.” “Uh-huh! But suppose I won’t tell yuh where it is?” “Oh, yes, you will! I’ll rope yuh tight and leave yuh out there in the rocks for a few days. Nobody ever comes by here; it’s out of the beaten trail.” “And then you’ll trade me water for information, eh?” “Yeah--and you’ll trade.” The robber threw back his head and began laughing. It seemed to strike him as a huge joke and he shook with merriment. The muzzle of the sheriff’s rifle had been lowered perceptibly and his left hand rubbed his stubbled chin wonderingly. “Trade me water for information! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!” The robber threw back his head and slapped himself on the thigh. It was evidently the biggest joke he had ever heard. Again he roared his mirth, slapped his thigh heavily, and when his hand came up again it was comfortably filled with the butt of a Colt .45, and the muzzle was covering the sheriff. The man had jerked forward off the rock, head hunched between his shoulders, his eyes glittering. For several moments the sheriff stared at him, realizing what a fool he had been not to take that gun away when he had the chance, and then let his rifle slide to the sand. “I’ve done bought out yore tradin’ establishment,” growled the robber slowly. “Now, you’ll trade on my terms.” “I was givin’ you the best of the trade,” said the sheriff, “What’s a few dollars to years in prison?” “It’s jist accordin’ to how bad yuh need money. Back away from that rifle, Bennie. Hands up to the shoulders! Oh, shore, I’ll take yore six- gun! We may be twin brothers, but we’re not twin fools. That’s yore part of the heredity.” “What are you goin’ to trade with me?” The sheriff was sullen now, as he measured his brother.