"If we do, Sheriff, we'll bring you along with your office. There's one thing I want to tell you. Hollister's up there on the side of the cliff. He attempted to abduct Miss Burrows. We found her, but—it might have been too late, if Hollister had not gone blind and then died from Vasquez' liquor. I don't suppose there will be any inquiry but I want to see the future clear. And I don't want to bring her into it."
"Natcher'ly not. Want to avoid enny complications. There won't be none. I understood Hollister had gone on a long journey. I can confirm that rumor from now on. As to Vasquez, the Federal man is goin' to make one bright an' shinin' example out of him. There'll be a fine, but not as an option. Vasquez is goin' to be a gov'mint boarder for quite a spell. As fur as his killin' Hollister is concerned, the prosecution might consider it as mitigatin' circumstances. We'll let her ride as she goes. You got a wagon to tote in the gold, ain't you? Then you an' your fiancee 'll ride with me. There's both the ladies comin' up from the creek. An' I smell coffee."
Red came up and the sheriff strolled off.
"Pete," said Red, "you've got a stiff arm, an' I've got a neck that's all gristle. I can't even wiggle it. But they'll both mend. You an' me, Pete Sheridan, there ain't much the matter with us from now on, I reckon.
"But I've found out one thing," he added whimsically. "Times must have changed, or else the fellers that writ the sayin's was doin' it second-hand.
