Karl nodded his head. "Farming iss goot," he murmured, "—mit vasser." Dave glanced at him. "Them new steers o’ th’ Double Y oughta fetch forty in th’ Fall. Will, too." "Farming iss goot," repeated Karl, "—mit vasser. Also, to lend money. But Camerons, dey pay und der money lies idle. Ven do ve eat up der Double Y, Dave?" Dave glanced at him sullenly. "Why don’t you let me kill that d—n Peters? Are you afraid I ’ll get hurt?" "Alvays I fear. I haf no one bud you, _du Spitzbub_. But kill him? Ach! Soon anoder manager come. Killing iss not goot, Dave. You must plan besser, _aber_ I do id. Dat make you feel sheep, _du Schwarzer Spitzbub, vas?_" "I ’ll get ’em. Guinea Mike ’s shot up." "Vell, he iss anoder von likes killing. Who vas id?" "Stranger. Reminded me of a feller, somehow—an’ then, again, he did n’t. Deals a slick hand at cards." "Ach, cards! Alvays der cards! Who know dem besser as me? Who pay for dem so much? Cards und killing, dey are no goot." "Well, let’s roost," suggested Dave, and led the way to the inner room. Karl fastened doors and windows, put out the light, and followed him. CHAPTER VI AN HONEST MAN AND A ROGUE How to do it? That was the question that hammered incessantly at Dave’s brain until he actually dreamed of it. Dreaming of it was the only satisfactory solution, for in his dreams matters arranged themselves with the least possible effort on his part and with little or no danger—though, to do him justice, danger was the consideration which had the least weight. But the dreams presented lamentable gaps which Dave, in his waking moments, found it impossible to bridge. Winter had given way to Spring and Buck Peters, aided by the indefatigable Ned, was rounding the ranch into a shape that already cut a figure in the county and would do so in the Territory before long. The Double Y owed nothing to Dave. His animosity was confined strictly to Buck; but he knew that Karl was resolved to usurp ownership of the range he had come to look upon as his own. And Dave had become imbued with the idea that his own interests demanded the realization of Karl’s wishes. Why the German had become interested in this handsome idler, so many years younger than himself, Karl could not have explained. True, he was alone in the world, he was a red fox where the other was a black one, while Dave’s present sinfulness and inclinations were such as the elder man understood and sympathized with. Yet these were hardly reasons; Karl himself never would have advanced them as such. Perhaps he had it in mind to use him as a cat’s-paw. Few of our likes or dislikes have their origin in a single root. If only they could "eat up" the Double Y! Dave cursed the obsession which threatened his fortunes; he cursed the energetic Buck who was rearing obstacles in his way with every week that passed; and he cursed his own barren imagination which balked at the riddle.