“I doubt it,” answered Buffalo Bill. “We have a clear case against both Benners, Lige and Jerry, and this statement in writing by Abe Isaacs clinches the evidence, but I don’t believe Lige Benner could be punished by any court in this part of the country. He is too powerful. I think, however, that you and your people, Mrs. Dunbar, will never be troubled any more by the Benners. They went too far, in this last work, and everybody on the Brazos will learn of it. Every respectable cattleman will have nothing but contempt and disgust for the Benners after this.” “We could swing Red Steve for what he’s done, Pard Cody,” declared Wild Bill. “Providing we could catch him,” said the scout. “And providing you could prove that he was the man who shot Hawkins,” added Dunbar. “I’m pretty sure Red Steve was one of the White Caps,” put in Perry, “but I didn’t get a look at his face, and I couldn’t swear to it.” “How about the man who came here and lured you out into the trail?” queried the scout. “I never saw that man before.” “They call him Shorty Dobbs over at the Circle-B,” said the Laramie man. “I don’t think Dobbs has been with Benner long,” spoke up Dunbar. “All’s well that ends well, they say,” observed Perry, “and I wish some one would tell me for certain that the present peace on the Brazos will last.” “I and my pards will stay around here until we’re sure there’ll be nothing but peace on the river,” said the scout. “That makes me feel easier in my mind,” declared Perry. “With you and your pards for friends and champions, Buffalo Bill, anything Benner can do won’t worry me much.” “Buffler hes got somethin’ up his sleeve,” said old Nomad, “an’ I’ll bet a blue stack on it.” “Vat it iss, bard?” queried the inquisitive baron. “He’s goin’ ter hang eround ther Brazos an’ lay fer Red Steve. Steve was erbout ther fust ruffian the scout got acquainted with on the Brazos, an’ I reckon he’s plannin’ ter make Steve ther last, as well.” “Red Steve richly deserves punishment for his misdeeds,” said the scout. “I couldn’t leave the Brazos while Red Steve was still at large without feeling I had failed in my duty.” “Same here,” seconded the Laramie man. “But don’t you forget, Pard Cody, that I’ve marked Red Steve for my own. He and I are going to come together, before many days, and then he’ll go to some place where the law’s doing its regulation work and answer for Ace Hawkins.” “The law’s in full bloom in Hackamore, Hickok,” laughed the scout. “It’s not the sort of Bloom that spells right and justice. The sheriff in Hackamore is working for the Benners, if I’m any judge.” “Bloom has always been hand-and-glove with Lige Benner,” said Perry. “And he has never been a friend of Nate’s and mine. He was only too willing, I’ll warrant you, to arrest Nate for taking those diamonds.” “Ten to one,” spoke up Wild Bill, “Jerry Benner gave Bloom his cue before Abe Isaacs made his howl about the stones being stolen.”