scussing the matter
we all passed into the street. With the understanding that the prospect
of making a deal was not hopeless, Siringo excused himself, and we
strolled away together. No sooner was the coast clear than I informed
the detective of the arrival of my brother, putting him in possession
of every fact regarding Archie Tolleston. He readily agreed with me
that the recent break between the latter and his former employer was a
dangerous factor, and even went so far as to say that Tolleston's posing
as a trail-cutter at Doan's Crossing was more than likely a ruse. I was
giving the detective a detailed description of Archie, when he stopped
me and asked what his special weaknesses were, if he had any. "Whiskey
and women," I replied. "That's good," said he, "and I want you to send
me in one of your best men in the morning--I mean one who will drink
and carouse. He can watch the trains, and if this fellow shows up, we'll
keep him soaked and let him enjoy himself. Send me one that's good for
a ten days' protracted drunk. You think the other herds will be here
within a few days? That's all I want to know."

I reached camp a little before dark, and learned that Bob's herd had
dropped in just below us on the Mulberry. He expected to lie over a
few days in passing Dodge, and I lost no time in preparing to visit his
camp. While riding out that evening, I had made up my mind to send in
Dorg Seay, as he was a heady fellow, and in drinking had an oak-tan
stomach. Taking him with me, I rode down the Mulberry and reached
the lower camp just as my brother and his outfit were returning from
bedding-down the cattle. Bob readily agreed that the detective's plans
were perfectly feasible, and offered to play a close second to Seay if
it was necessary. And if his own brother does say so, Bob Quirk never
met the man who could drink him under the table.

My herd started early for the Saw Log, and the wagon for town. Bob had
agreed to go into Dodge in the morning, so Dorg stayed with our outfit
and was to go in with me after crossing the river. We threaded our way
through the other herds, and shortly before noon made an easy ford about
a mile below old Fort Dodge. As we came down to the river, a carriage
was seen on the farther bank, and I dropped from the point back to
the drag end. Sure enough, as we trailed out, the fiscal agent and the
buyers were awaiting me. "Well, Mac, I sold your herd last night after
you left," said Siringo, de