“Yes, Lige, and without making trouble for yourself,” said Jerry. “I’ve thought it all out. That’s why I sent one of the men to watch the Star-A ranch, and it’s why I sent Red Steve to Hackamore after Abraham Isaacs.” “What in the fiend’s name are you intending to do with Abraham Isaacs? How’ll he help me get revenge on Perry, and Dunbar, and Buffalo Bill?” “Wait till Red Steve gets here with Isaacs.” A cackling laugh came from Jerry. He had a way of laughing which was by sound alone, for not a muscle of his cadaverous face moved. It was more the laugh of a hyena than of a human being. “What you’ve got up your sleeve is too many for me, Jerry,” growled Lige, “but if you can pull off the game as you say, I’ll give you five thousand in gold. D’you hear? Five thousand in yellow boys if you make trouble for Perry and Dunbar without making any for me.” A greedy sparkle appeared and disappeared in the hunchback’s eyes. “I’ll get that money, Lige,” said he, “and you can bank on it.” Lige whirled and stared at him. “You’re an artful little devil,” he grunted, “and I shouldn’t wonder if you made good.” “I run to headwork, Lige,” piped Jerry, highly pleased with the left-handed compliment. “I’m a cripple, and can’t ever do anything worth while with my body--but it’s the mind that rules! It’s the brain that accomplishes things! If I can’t work myself I can make others work for me. If----” A man, covered with the dust of the trail, appeared in the open outside door. “Come in, Hamp!” cried Jerry, breaking off his words the moment his eyes had fallen on the man. “You’re just from the Star-A ranch?” Hamp pushed into the room and stood staring grimly from Lige to Jerry, snapping at his leg with his quirt. “That’s whar I’m from,” he answered. “You watched the place, Hamp?” queried the hunchback eagerly. “Shore I did, all last night an’ half the forenoon. When somethin’ happened I thort ye wanted ter know. I come right hyer with it.” “No one saw you watching the place, Hamp?” “Nary a soul.” “Who’s there?” “Buffler Bill an’ pards, Mr. an’ Mrs. Dunbar, an’ Perry.” Lige Benner scowled at mention of Mrs. Dunbar. “They’re there now, Hamp?” went on Jerry. “Naw, not now. When I left only Buffler Bill, Wild Bill, the gal an’ Perry was thar. The Dutchman, the ole juniper of a trapper an’ the little Injun had left fer a call on Dinkelmann. When Dunbar pulled out, I pulled out, too.” The fact that Dunbar had “pulled out” aroused considerable interest in Lige and Jerry. “Why did Dunbar leave, and where did he go, Hamp?” demanded Jerry. “Dunbar pulled out fer Hackamore ter be gone two or three days. He’s gone arter cowboys ter help run the ranch, arter supplies, an’”--here a snarling laugh came from Hamp’s bearded lips--“ter git a diming ring fer his wife.” The hunchback slapped his clawlike hands. “I’d reckoned on taking the first fall out of Perry,” said he, “but events are shaping up so Dunbar is to get it. That’s all, Hamp.”