“That gang over there will take stolen cattle, that’s a cinch,” said Jackson. “You’d never get any evidence if yuh went there in a gang--and one or two men would soon be wiped out. They’re pretty clannish.” Reber nodded slowly. He knew Jackson was right. Suddenly there came the slither of a moving body, and they turned toward the big window about ten feet beyond them. Just inside the window stood Jack Silver, his left shoulder resting against the wall, his two thumbs hooked over his belt. For several moments no one spoke. Silver laughed, and his teeth flashed white in the light from the hanging lamp in the center of the room. He seemed to be resting lazily against that shoulder, but every man at that table knew he could draw and shoot quicker than any of them. “Gentlemen, Mr. Silver himself,” said Reber slowly. The men glanced at Reber curiously, but turned back to Silver. “You sent for me,” said Jack. Reber nodded. “Yeah, I sent for yuh, Silver. Slim, will you get a chair for Mr. Silver?” Slim Patterson started to get up, but Silver halted him. “I’ll stand up,” he said slowly, smiling again. “Since when did the Reber outfits start havin’ squaws at their council?” June straightened in her chair, her eyes flashing. Silver’s laugh was almost an insult. Reber did not look at her. McLeese grinned in evident enjoyment. “Silver,” said Reber firmly, “you’re deliberately tryin’ to antagonize us, but I’ll overlook it. I asked you here tonight to make you a proposition. Will you go to work for me as a foreman on one of my ranches?” It was like a bomb-shell exploding in the room. The idea of offering Jack Silver a position as foreman! The men wondered whether Reber was losing his mind. Even Silver laughed. “Make me a foreman?” said Silver. “What’s the idea, Reber?” “That’s my business, Silver. I’m makin’ you that offer.” Silver’s eyes swept the faces of the five foremen. “Which ranch?” he asked smiling. “Any one you’ll take.” Silver’s amused glance came back to June. “Which one is the squaw goin’ to take?” Reber shook his head sadly. “You don’t understand what I’m offerin’ you, Silver.” “Yes, I do, Reber.” Silver was not smiling now and he had shoved away from the wall. “You’re tryin’ to buy me off--tryin’ to get me to work for you. You’re afraid of me, Reber. I dunno why, but yuh are. Your men watch me day and night. I’m tired of it, but not so tired that I’ll take a job with you. You hate me because I’m half Cheyenne. “You ran my people out of Tomahawk Valley, Reber. I know your story--know why you hate my people. I had a little herd of cattle started, but you and your men killed ’em off to keep me from being a cattleman. I’ve no cause to love you. I don’t want your job. Give it to the squaw.” He flung his left leg across the windowsill, and before any one could say anything further, he disappeared. Patterson sprang to his feet, and the other men were behind him, but Reber stopped them.