“Buffalo Bill will certainly take hold and help McGowan.” “It was a bad move o’ your’n, gittin’ Buffler Bill’s pard mixed up with that thar gold-brick.” “That was Bern’s idea, but I guess he understands now the move was bad. Buffalo Bill will go to the mine by the Black Cañon trail--it’s the most direct route, and whenever he goes any place, I understand it’s the beeline and a keen jump fer him.” “Us fellers are up agin’ it, all right, now that the scout has took holt. He’s the wust kind of a propersition ter flash on a lot er grafters. What’s fer me to do? I’ll skin the deck both ways ter do all I kin, Buffler Bill er no Buffler Bill.” “The mill clean-up comes to-morrow. That’s where we’re to make our big winning and skip out. Bern says to hang Buffalo Bill up to-morrow so that he can’t interfere, and we’ll be able to do our work and make a getaway.” “I’m ter help hang the scout up, hey?” “You’re to do it. As soon as you attend to the hotel part of it, make for the hills as fast as you can go, round up your reds, and lay for the scout in some convenient place on the Black Cañon trail. When you capture him, leave him in the hands of enough reds to keep him, then come on to the Three-ply and stand ready to help in running off the loot from the clean-up.” “Suppose Buffler Bill rides out ter the Three-ply with McGowan?” “Then nail the two of them. It will be so much the better for us.” “It’s a scheme fer yer life, Jacobs! Count on me. But s’posin’ Buffler Bill has already left fer the mine?” “He won’t start before supper--at least, I don’t think he will. If he does, we stand a chance to lose out, that’s all. You’ll have to run your chances.” “Is that all?” “Yes; and I can’t waste any more time here. McGowan told Bernritter and me to go right back to the mine; Bern’s gone, and I must follow as soon as I can.” “If McGowan finds out ye didn’t go with him----” “Bern will take care of that, in case McGowan makes any remarks. He’ll offer an excuse by saying he had me stay a while in Phœnix to talk with our powder-men about the last lot of high-explosives. Hike out, now, and do your work. I’ll leave after a while myself. Make sure you’re not shadowed, Bascomb, and don’t let any grass grow under your feet. Bern told me to say that everything depends on you, and if we get away with forty-odd thousand in bullion, you’ll be handsomely remembered.” “Which I ort ter be. Waal, _adios_ fer now.” Nomad put back the knot carefully and got to his feet. He was astounded by what he had heard. Here, at the very start-off, was evidence of the plot against the baron, as well as evidence of a greater plot against the clean-up which was to be made on the following day at the Three-ply Mine! And Buffalo Bill was to be ambushed along the Black Cañon trail! Nomad exulted to think that he had acquired information which, properly used, would break this far-reaching combination of bullion thieves.