Although Fuzzy went to Yellow Butte with Skeeter Bill next day, he was not enthused over it at all. They talked with the sheriff, who told them that the inquest would be held Saturday forenoon, delayed because Doctor Boardman had to go to Crescent City on business. Skeeter Bill lost no time in going down to see the doctor, who was ready to drive away. “I wanted to ask yuh a question, Doc,” said Skeeter Bill. “On the day or two after Hooty Edwards was shot, was you called on to treat any sort of a gunshot wound?” The gray-haired doctor shook his head. “No, I’m sure I wasn’t, Sarg. I would have remembered it, I’m sure.” Skeeter Bill thanked him and went back to the main street, where he found Fuzzy Davis and told him he was going to Silver Springs. “I’ll be back for that inquest,” he told Fuzzy. “Don’t worry--I’ll be here.” “Who’s worryin’?” demanded the little cowman. “You must think yuh’re awful important. Go ahead and get yourself shot. Silver Springs is a awful nice place to die. I’ll tell Emmy to pray for yuh.” “Every little helps.” Skeeter flashed a smile. “Much obliged, Fuzzy.” It was late Friday night when Skeeter Bill came back to the Bar D ranch. Aunt Emma fixed supper for him, and Fuzzy did a lot of hinting, but Skeeter did not mention why he went to Silver Springs. Aunt Emma said, “Fuzzy and I have to be at the inquest tomorrow and they said you’ve got to be there, too. I saw Margie Edwards and they’ve told her to be present and bring the two kids.” Skeeter Bill smiled over his coffee. “We’ll have a regular old-timers’ reunion,” he said. “Anythin’ new, Fuzzy?” “Nothin’ unusual. I went out to Hangin’ Rock water-hole but the fence is all right yet. Nobody shot at yuh in Silver Springs?” “No, they treated me all right. Nice place over there.” “You can have it,” replied Fuzzy. “Yuh’re goin’ to the inquest, ain’t yuh?” “If I live--yeah.” “My goodness!” exclaimed Aunt Emma. “You ain’t figurin’ on gettin’ killed between now and then, are yuh, Skeet?” “Livin’ in a benighted land like this, Aunt Emma, it don’t do for anybody to plan too far ahead.” Saturday was always a big day in Yellow Butte. It was the shopping day for almost everybody in Road-Runner Valley and they not only brought their kids, but their dogs, as well. By ten o’clock all the available hitchrack space was taken. Fuzzy and Aunt Emma tied their horses behind the sheriff’s office, along with Skeeter’s horse. They held the inquest in the courtroom at the courthouse, with Doctor Boardman, the coroner, officiating. The room was filled, long before the inquest was called to order. Mrs. Edwards and her two children, Fuzzy and Aunt Emma and Skeeter Bill, all being witnesses, were accorded a special number of seats at the front.