Stafford's face showed a sudden disappointment. "Shucks!" he returned, unable to keep the regret from his voice. "Ain't things suited you here?" The stray-man grinned with straight lips. He could not let the manager know his secret. "Things have suited me mighty well," he declared. "I'm thankin' you for havin' made things pleasant for me while I've been here. But I've done what I contracted to do an' there ain't anything more to keep me here. If you'll give me my time I'll be goin'." Stafford looked up at him with a sly, significant smile. "Why," he said, "Leviatt told me that you'd found somethin' real interestin' over on Bear Flat. Now, I shouldn't think you'd want to run away from her!" The stray-man's lips whitened a little. "I don't think Mary Radford is worryin' about me," he said steadily. "Well, now," returned Stafford, serious again; "then I reckon Leviatt had it wrong." "I expect he had it wrong," answered the stray-man shortly. But Stafford did not yield. He had determined to keep the stray-man at the Two Diamond and there were other arguments that he had not yet advanced which might cause him to stay. He looked up again, his face wearing a thoughtful expression. "I reckon you remember our contract?" he questioned. The stray-man nodded. "I was to find out who was stealin' your cattle," he said. Stafford smiled slightly. "Correct!" he returned. "You've showed me two thieves. But a while ago I heard you say that there was two more. Our contract ain't fulfilled until you show me them too. You reckon?" The stray-man drew a deep, resigned breath. "I expect that's right," he admitted. "But I've told you where you can find them. All you've got to do is to ride over there an' catch them." Stafford's smile widened a little. "Sure," he returned, "that's all I've got to do. An' I'm goin' to do it. But I'm wantin' my range boss to take charge of the outfit that's goin' over to ketch them." "Your range boss?" said Ferguson, a flash of interest in his eyes, "Why, your range boss ain't here any more." Stafford leaned forward, speaking seriously. "I'm talkin' to my range boss right now!" he said significantly. Ferguson started, and a tinge of slow color came into his face. He drew a deep breath and took a step forward. But suddenly he halted, his lips straightening again. "I'm thankin' you," he said slowly. "But I'm leavin' the Two Diamond." He drew himself up, looking on the instant more his old indomitable self. "I'm carryin' out our contract though," he added. "If you're wantin' me to go after them other two men, I ain't backin' out. But you're takin' charge of the outfit. I ain't goin' to be your range boss."