“I think there’s been a hocus-pocus, and that Dunbar is getting the worst of it. Where are the diamonds you lost, Isaacs?” The Jew opened the satchel and took out a handful of rings, watch charms and buttons--all set with stones. The diamond-mounted buttons were affected by some of the wealthy cattle barons. Buffalo Bill picked up one of the rings and looked at it closely. Isaacs scarcely breathed during the examination, fearing that Buffalo Bill might discover that the stone was an imitation. “Nate wasn’t intending to return to the ranch for a day or two,” said the scout, dropping the ring into the Jew’s hand. “Why did he start back in the afternoon of the same day he reached Hackamore?” “Pecause,” croaked Isaacs, “he wanted to get avay mit der tiamonts.” “That wasn’t the reason,” spoke up Jordan calmly. “He didn’t know I had sent Sim Pierce to the Star-A ranch. When he saw Pierce, and Pierce told him, Nate came to my room and I gave him the information I had sent to you. He was worried, and decided to ride back to the ranch at once. There is no doubt but it was that move that aroused suspicion against him. The sheriff was here in the office when Isaacs reported the robbery, and he at once started after Nate with a posse. When Nate was overhauled and searched, the diamonds were found in his saddlebags.” “How was it possible for Nate to take the stones--assuming that he did take them?” “I vas mit him in vone of der hotel rooms,” answered the Jew, “und I sold him a tiamont ring vort’ vone hundert an’ feefty toller for vone hundert tollar. It must haf been vile he vas buying der ring dot he took der odder t’ings. Dot’s der only shance he vouldt haf.” “You’re too sharp, Isaacs,” declared the scout, “to let any one fool you that way. Nate couldn’t have taken the stones right under your eyes.” “Vell, how it vas der shtones vas foundt in his sattlepags?” “There’s an explanation,” said the scout curtly, “and Nate isn’t involved in it. Were Benner, or any of his men, in town during the afternoon?” “Jerry Benner was in town, Buffler Bill,” called the clerk from behind the counter. “Was he at this hotel at the time of the robbery?” “Nix, he wasn’t at this hotel at all. I only heerd he was in town from fellers that seen him.” “Did you see Jerry Benner, Isaacs?” asked the scout, fixing a keen glance on the Jew. “How shouldt I see him?” quavered Isaacs. “I don’t know how you did, but did you?” “No, I dit nod see Cherry.” Once more the scout turned to the clerk. “Keep your eyes on the Jew, will you,” he asked, “while Jordan and I go to the jail for a talk with Nate Dunbar? If he tries to get away, pull a gun on him. This robbery business is going to be sifted to the bottom, and those who have got Dunbar into this fix are going to suffer for it.” “I’ll watch him, ye kin bet on that,” said the clerk. “He won’t leave here, Buffler Bill, an’ when ye want him ye’ll know whar ter find him.”