"Come in, boys, come in. Jerry, I'd like you to meet some new friends of mine. This here is Bud Merkel. Over here is--er----" "My cousins, Nort and Dick Shannon," finished Bud. "And Billee Dobb and Yellin' Kid--if he ever had another name I've forgotten it, and I guess he has too." The deputy's friend laughed and Joe said: "This is Jerry Adler, boys. Say, I thought you fellers were headed for the Shootin' Star?" "We were," Bud answered, "but something happened that we want to ask you about." "Guess I'll be goin'," said Jerry Adler. "I'll drop in to-morrow about that matter, Joe. No hurry, you know." "All right, Jerry. Glad to see you any time. Now, boys," and he turned to the five standing near him, "what can I do for you? Or is it just a friendly visit? If it is, I'm right glad you stopped in. Now that you're here, you must come over to my place for supper. Got the best cook you ever saw." "Thanks, Mr. Hawkins," responded Bud. "We may take advantage of that later. But just now we want to ask your advice." "Go right to it, Bud. If I can help you I'll sure do it!" "When we went over to the Shooting Star," Bud began, "we expected to find a sheep ranch. Instead we find a place that could be used for sheep, but certainly isn't now. We went in and showed our credentials, and asked the occupant, who was called 'J. D.,' I think, if he could move out by to-morrow, so we could get ready to move in. "Whoever this 'J. D.' is, he isn't a cow puncher, nor a herder either. He's dressed like a Chicago dude," stated Bud. The deputy nodded understandingly. Evidently he was not surprised at Bud's description of the Shooting Star and its tenant. "Well, as I say, we asked him to leave. He not only refused, but threatened trouble if we tried to put him out. Said he had twelve men who'd help him, too. So we thought, if you'd give us a dispossess notice, we could go up there with authority and if he still turned ugly--well--we could do as we thought fit." "I see. He told you he wouldn't leave?" "Yes." "He has no right to stay there, has he?" "None at all. He rented the ranch from the man who formerly owned it, but his lease was up a month ago. Dad bought the place free and clear. We were to manage it for him, and take charge of the sheep when they came in. I believe they are to be driven over in about two weeks."