Brick picked up his hat and walked out behind Silent, while Ma Wesson wiped away her tears and patted Miss Miller on the arm. “Don’t mind him, dearie,” she choked. “Brick don’t lie, but he sure does twist the truth around until it won’t neither lay down nor stand up. Harp would do the same to Brick, if he had the chance. They’re both salt of the earth.” “And you—” began Miss Miller accusingly. “Oh, me!” Ma Wesson laughed heartily. “I’ll back either of ’em, ’cause I love ’em both. Don’t mind me. If Harp don’t ask yuh to go with him, I’ll have Cale take both of us. By golly, I’d like to tromp around over a dance floor ag’in myself.” “I think that would be fun, Mrs. Wesson.” “Fun, ——! It’d be a riot.” * * * * * It was dark when Santel rode into Silverton. He took his horse to the livery-stable and turned it over to a skinny youngster. Santel had bought a bottle of liquor at Marlin City and had emptied it on the way down. He threw it away, as he came out of the stable and went toward the Short Horn saloon. He was pretty drunk, but did not stagger as he went into the saloon and stopped at the bar. Leach was in the rear of the room, talking to Al Hendricks, and Santel went to them. They gave him a chair and he sat down with them at a card-table. “Well, what’s the news?” asked Hendricks guardedly. “I’m quittin’ the job,” announced Santel. “I told Grant what I decided upon, and he didn’t seem to believe me.” “You mean to say that you couldn’t find out anythin’?” asked Hendricks. Santel laughed angrily. Leach watched him closely. He knew that Santel was drunk. “I reckon I could find out enough,” said Santel hoarsely, “but what the —— is the use? We all know that these robberies were done by three men, don’t we?” “Well?” “Three men,” continued Santel. “A big man, a medium-sized man and a tall, thin man. I’ve been lookin’ for three men of that description—three men who are close enough together to do this work. And—” Santel shook his head slowly—“there’s just three men in this county that answer that description, and that is the sheriff, his deputy and the big fellow, Slade.” “Aw, ——!” snorted Hendricks. “There yuh are,” Santel shrugged his shoulders wearily. “And why not?” queried Leach. “Are they so ——ed pure that they wouldn’t do a thing like that, Al?” Hendricks frowned heavily and looked at Santel. “Is this the best you could do, Santel?” “Suits me.” “Where’s your proof?” “Proof? What in —— do yuh want—a confession?” Hendricks shook his head quickly. “You couldn’t convict anybody on that evidence.” “There’s a murder or two connected with this,” reminded Leach meaningly. “It might not be a jury case, Al.” Hendricks laughed and shook his head. “Don’t be a fool, Leach. Brick Davidson never done these things. Santel may be a good detective, but he sure got off on the wrong foot that time. I’d stake my life on Brick.”