“Maybe, an’ maybe not,” he said, and returned to his work of repairing his saddle. The boys waited for a moment, then wandered off. “Hard to tell what he does think about it,” Roy commented. “That’s a fact. Dad never did much talking. Wonder if the sheriff in Hawley heard anything from Jamisson?” “Not likely. He’ll lay low for a while, I reckon. The skunk! Every time I think of him trying to shoot you in the back--” “Me, too! You know, I have an idea that your remark of the bullet being meant for you wasn’t so far wrong. Here’s how I figure: he knew you’d heard them talking that night you went back after your knife. And whatever you heard he didn’t want broadcast. Say, that means something else, too! It means that what they said was important! By golly, I just thought of that! Now let’s see. We’ll work this thing out.” “Good stuff, Teddy. Let’s walk over this way.” He started for the side porch, and Teddy followed. They sat on the lower step. “Now, what they said was this,” Roy began. “First they said something about six hundred head. That’s cattle. Then they mentioned cars, and an eight mile run, and the old Jarmey place. We heard ’em talk about the Jarmey place when we saw ’em at Red Rock, too.” “Yep. Say, just where is the Jarmey place?” “I have a rather hazy idea. It’s near Red Rock, I know. Suppose we ask Pop?” Teddy nodded, and arose. “Think he’s around?” “We can try. Might be near the bunkhouse.” They walked over. Pop was cleaning a rifle, and looked up as the two boys approached. “Mornin’, gents. Got an hour to myself, an’ I decided to get this here shootin’ iron into shape. Set!” In response to the invitation, the boys squatted on the ground near him. “Pop,” Teddy said, “we want to ask some questions.” Pop removed his hat and scratched his bald head. “Ain’t riddles, are they?” “Nope. Say, just what do you know about the old Jarmey place?” “Hum--thought I told you about that once before. Well, it’s about four miles from Red Rock. Know where that is, don’t you?” “Sure. We’ve been there.” “Well, after you leave there you go west, up a steep grade. The Jarmey place is right on top of a hill, with the tracks runnin’ down. Used to be a railroad depot, but it ain’t used for nothin’ now.” “Can you get to it from Red Rock by following the tracks?” “Nope. You got to go around Shock Mountain. That’s between, an’ you can’t climb it with a horse. The trail around is about ten or twelve miles long.” “But you said four miles--”