Jim Corwin and Shorty Long went back to Dancing Flats. There was still a crowd in the Turquoise. They found Slim Duarte and told him that Irish Delaney had an iron-clad alibi. “McCune and Thomas would lie for him,” said Duarte. “All right, Slim, think what yuh like but when two men swear he was there with them all evenin’, yuh’re stuck. How much did he get away with?” “About six thousand dollars,” replied Duarte grimly. “I was a fool to keep that much in my safe but it’s too late now.” V When Irish and Johnny arrived at Dancing Flats next morning, the general store was closed. Ed Shearer was in town, talking with the sheriff and the minister, when Irish and Johnny rode in. Both Ed Shearer and the sheriff looked rather bleakly at Irish, but the minister shook hands with him. Johnny said: “We thought we’d ride in and get more information.” Irish looked around on the wooden sidewalk. Jim Corwin said: “Right here’s where the body was found, Irish.” “Kinda funny--no blood-stains,” remarked Irish. No one said anything, but all five men looked at the weathered planking. Then the sheriff said: “That’s right--I didn’t notice. It is kinda--funny, ain’t it?” “He must have bled,” said Johnny McCune. “Usually do.” “His shirt was all bloody,” said the sheriff. “Mrs. Briggs is standing it well,” said the minister. “She is very brave.” “Al was drinkin’ hard all day,” said Shearer. “That wasn’t anythin’ new,” remarked Johnny McCune. “He’s been drunk for a year. Anythin’ new on the robbery, Jim?” The big sheriff shook his head. “Nothin’ new, Johnny. Duarte says the man got six thousand dollars.” “I think I’ll go down to the house,” said Shearer. “Better go with me, Parson.” “I shall be very glad to be of any assistance,” replied the minister. They walked away together. Johnny said: “Jim, do yuh think the killer was the same one who robbed the saloon?” “What’s the difference? We don’t know who either one was. It’s kind of funny that Briggs was killed here in front of my office.” “I don’t believe he was,” said Irish. The sheriff looked quickly at the cowboy. “Why do yuh say that?” he asked sharply. “No blood, Corwin. I believe he was shot some place else and placed here.” “Nonsense! We heard the shot.” “You heard _a_ shot, Corwin. There was nothin’ to stop a killer from shootin’ in the air, was there?” “No, I don’t reckon there was. Hm-m-m-m. Could be. But why not let us find him where he was shot?” “And incriminate the killer?” “Yeah, I see what yuh mean, Irish. But that don’t do us any good. No matter where he was killed, it’s still murder.” “Could he have been shot some’ers else and walked here?” asked Johnny. The sheriff shook his head quickly. “He was shot plumb through the heart, Johnny.” “Then he didn’t do much walkin’. Well, Irish, I think I’ll walk up to the post office and get the mail.” “I’ll go with yuh, Johnny. See yuh later, Corwin.”