"Let me get you. You want to buy in on the Double Y, equal partners. I put in so much, McAllister puts in so much, and you put in as much as both of us. Th’ money goes in th’ bank an’ I have th’ spendin’ of it. You do yore share o’ th’ work an’ yo ’re dead certain you can stop th’ deviltry on th’ range. Is that it?" "_Yah!_" assented Karl, emphatically. Buck was astounded at the audacity of the proposal. His gaze wandered to Whitby, whose pen was moving over the paper with a speed that impressed Buck, busy as his mind was. Outside, a horseman clattered up to the house and Mary, from the kitchen door, motioned Hopalong to come in that way. The door had no sooner closed behind him than Pickles sped from the security of the stable, slipped Hoppy’s rifle from the saddle holster, and half a minute later the Goat went tearing away, bearing the triumphant boy and the coveted rifle to another scene of operations. For tenacity of purpose and facility of execution, Pickles was already superior to most men. Buck recovered his wits and faced the expectant Schatz. "I just been a-writin’ to McAllister," he informed him. "You ’ll have to give me time to see what he says. Let’s liquor." * * * * * Buck stood in the door watching Karl ride away; the expressionless face gave no hint of his feelings unless it were found in a certain cold hardness of the gray eyes in their steady stare, fixed upon the broad back of the receding German. Leaving this mark, his glance fell on the horse, waiting patiently for its late rider, and he turned back into the room and called: "Hoppy!" Hopalong came in from the kitchen and Buck met his entry with the question: "What do you think that Dutch hog come for?" Hopalong glanced meaningly at Whitby, who still appeared to be writing against time. "That’s all right," asserted Buck, "I ’m a-copperin’ my bets from now on. Schatz wants to buy in as a partner an’ reckons he can stop th’ Double Y from losin’ any more stock, long ’s he ’s in on th’ deal." "What ’d _you_ say?" asked Hopalong. "Nothin’. I wanted a chance to get my breath." "Well, I would n’t flirt with that proposition, not any." "Why, curse his fool hide, what do I want with him or his money? If he can stop th’ deviltry mebby he ’s at th’ bottom of it; an’ if he is, it won’t be long afore we know it. Next time he comes I ’ll tell him to go plumb to h—l." "I would n’t, Buck." "What’s that?" asked Buck, staring hard at Whitby. "I would n’t," repeated Whitby. "I fancy it’s time you learned what I know. This German chap, now. You can’t fight him yet, Buck; you can’t, really." "Oh, can’t I!" exclaimed Buck. "What do you know about it?" "I know all about it, I should say all that can be found out. Do you mind if we have in Mrs. Cassidy? Clever woman, Mrs. Cassidy."