"You don't understand me," persisted Waters patiently. "What I mean is this. Larrimer sends the challenge, if you wish to call it that. He takes up a certain position. Say in a public place. You and your men, if you wish, are posted nearby, but out of view when young Hollis comes. When Terry Hollis arrives, the moment he touches a gun butt, you fill him full of lead and accuse him of using unfair play against Larrimer. Any excuse will do. The public want an end of young Hollis. They won't be particular with their questions." He found it difficult to meet the narrowed eyes of the sheriff. "What you want me to do," said the sheriff, with slow effort, "is to set a trap, get Hollis into it, and then--murder him?" "A brutal way of putting it, my dear fellow." "A true way," said the sheriff. But he was thinking, and Waters waited. When he spoke, his voice was soft enough to blend with the sheriff's thoughts without actually interrupting them. "You're not a youngster any more, sheriff, and if you lose out here, your reputation is gone for good. You'll not have the time to rebuild it. Here is a chance for you not only to stop the evil rumors, but to fortify your past record with a new bit of work that will make people talk of you. They don't really care how you do it. They won't split hairs about method. They want Hollis put out of the way. I say, cache yourself away. Let Hollis come to meet Larrimer in a private room. You can arrange it with Larrimer yourself later on. You shoot from concealment the moment Hollis shows his face. It can be said that Larrimer did the shooting, and beat Hollis to the draw. The glory of it will bribe Larrimer." The sheriff shook his head. Waters leaned forward. "My friend," he said. "I represent in this matter a wealthy man to whom the removal of Terry Hollis will be worth money. Five thousand dollars cash, sheriff!" The sheriff moistened his lips and his eyes grew wild. He had lived long and worked hard and saved little. Yet he shook his head. "Ten thousand dollars," whispered Waters. "Cash!" The sheriff groaned, rose, paced the room, and then slumped into a chair. "Tell Bud Larrimer I want to see him," he said. The following letter, which was received at the house of Joe Pollard, was indeed a gem of English: MR. TERRY BLACK JACK: Sir, I got this to say. Since you done my brother dirt I bin looking for a chans to get even and I ain't seen any chanses coming my way so Ime going to make one which I mean that Ile be waiting for you in town today and if you don't come Ile let the boys know that you aint only an ornery mean skunk but your a yaller hearted dog also which I beg to remain Yours very truly, Bud Larrimer. Terry Hollis read the letter and tossed it with laughter to Phil Marvin, who sat cross-legged on the floor mending a saddle, and Phil and the rest of the boys shook their heads over it.