Corliss felt that there was something in his companion's easy drift that had not as yet come to the surface. Fadeaway's hard-lined face was unreadable. The cowboy saw a question in the other's eyes and cleverly ignored it. Since meeting the brother he had arrived at a plan to revenge himself on John Corliss and he intended that the brother should take the initiative. He got up and proffered his hand. "So long, Billy. If you ever need a friend, you know where to find him." "Hold on, Fade. What's your rush?" "Got to see a fella. Mebby I'll drop in later." Corliss rose. Fadeaway leaned across the table. "I'm broke, and you're broke. The Concho pays off Monday, next week. The boys got three months comin'--close to eighteen hundred--and gold." "Gold? Thought John paid by check?" "He's tryin' to keep the boys from cashin' in, here. Things are goin' to be lively between Loring and the Concho before long. Jack needs all the hands he's got." "But I don't see what that's got to do with it, Fade." "Nothing 'ceptin' I'm game to stand by a pal--any time." "You mean--?" "Jest a josh, Billy. I was only thinkin' what _could_ be pulled off by a couple of wise ones. So-long!" And the cowboy departed wondering just how far his covert suggestion had carried with Will Corliss. As for Will Corliss, Fadeaway cared nothing whatever. Nor did he intend to risk getting caught with a share of the money in his possession, provided his plan was carried to a conclusion. He anticipated that John Corliss would be away from the ranch frequently, owing to the threatened encroachment of Loring's sheep on the west side of the Concho River. Tony, the Mexican, would be left in charge of the ranch. Will Corliss knew the combination of the safe--of that Fadeaway was pretty certain. Should they get the money, people in the valley would most naturally suspect the brother. And Fadeaway reasoned that John Corliss would take no steps to recover the money should suspicion point to his brother having stolen it. Meanwhile he would wait. Shortly after Fadeaway had gone out, Will Corliss got up and sauntered to the street. He gazed up and down the straggling length of Antelope and cursed. Then he walked across to the sheriff's office. The sheriff motioned him to a chair, which he declined. "Better sit down, Billy. I want to talk to you." "Haven't got time," said Corliss. "You know what I came for." "That's just what I want to talk about. See here, Billy, you've been hitting it up pretty steady this week. Here's the prospect. John told me to hand you five a day for a week. You got clothes, grub, and a place to sleep and all paid for. You could go out to the ranch if you wanted to. The week is up and you're goin' it just the same. If you want any more money you'll have to see John. I give you all he left with me." "By God, that's the limit!" exclaimed Corliss. "I guess it is, Billy. Have a cigar?"