Buffalo Bill and Hickok reached the Willow Inn next day, and half an hour later Price was in possession of the news. For reasons of his own Buffalo Bill had divided his forces. Old Nomad and Skibo had moved to another part of the range, a less exposed position which commanded a view of the entire mountaintop, and yet unapproachable except from one direction. Here one man could remain on guard while the other slept and safely await the orders of the scout. At the same time they might learn more of Bloody Ike and his retreat. When Price heard that Cody had arrived in town his first question was: “Is there a man at the hotel we can trust?” “Sure; Fatty Joe is meat cook, an’ Miles Doughty is clerk.” “Send Doughty over here as soon as he can come, without arousing suspicion.” Dave lounged into the hotel, bought a drink, loafed around for a time, spoke for a moment with the clerk, bought another drink, and went away. Shortly after the clerk went out and walked directly to Price’s office. As history records what transpired, we are permitted to follow the plot. Price said: “Hello, Doughty; I sent for you on important business, but first I must ask if you can be relied on for a little deal that will net you a hundred or so.” “You bet.” “Do you know that Buffalo Bill and one of his partners are at your house?” “I mistrusted as much, for I had heard they were in this part of the country.” “Well, they are the chaps, all right enough, and they are here for a purpose. They intend to spoil the business of this whole section, pretending they are friends of the Indians. You know in the East they are working up a lot of sympathy for the redskins, and this Cody is playing a high hand for politics. He thinks he is going to be President sometime. Now, we want to get him out of the way in the quietest manner possible. Understand?” “That’s my name.” “Are you locked up tight?” “As mum as a clam in freezing weather.” “Well, then, here it is: If you can manage to get those fellows drugged, we’ll take them away and keep them out of sight--and pay you well for your part.” “How could I get them drugged?” “Easy enough. Couldn’t Fatty Joe fix their food? You know Horsey Al can fix up dope to lay out anything.” “I’d have to see Fatty. I think he’d go into it if there isn’t to be any real killing. You know he is hiding from a record in the East, and he doesn’t want to do anything shady for a while.” “Tell him he needn’t worry any about the killing--we’ll take them away to a safe place and keep them a while, and then if the weather gets too thick we’ll cut them loose and skedaddle.” “I see. Well, I’ll have to talk it over with Fatty, so I’ll be going, but I’ll let you know to-night.”