m away off out here, could you?" demanded
Davy.

"Shore!" said the expert. "There's more shelter out here than in them
propped-up stables at the Bar-O. The B-line's got about five times as
much hay as they need. We ought to be able to wheedle that gal out of
a few stacks. But haulin' hay in breast-deep snow is some job. Hit
ought to be under way right now. If old Hulls has quit out, en we git
action, I'll talk to Potter en them loafers at the B-line en try to
git a few ricks tucked away in here before snow comes. A few blocks of
salt, scattered around, will keep 'em from diggin' dirt er huntin' a
lick."

And now the inspectors turned west to follow cattle paths over an
undulating terrain for at least two miles. Here a double trail was
encountered. Landy rode for a distance in both directions looking
intently for signs.

"Ugly Collins has either lost his time-card er has traded his wagon
fer a airyplane," said the mentor. "Mebbe Maizie has delayed the
take-off to finish her war with Logan. At any rate, they haven't left
a wagon track. Let's go by the house. I'll introduce ye as a circus
man from Springfield that's visitin' en lookin'. If ya can interest
Maizie so I kin talk to Hulls private, hit will he'p a lot."

"Not me!" interposed the little man hastily, "just leave me out of
this local war. I've got a date with some church folks tomorrow night.
But I don't want to be carried in feet foremost and hear the preacher
talk about 'the many mansions and green pastures.' Isn't there some
way that we can by-pass this Maizie and her orders 'to kill on
sight'?"

"Why, I thought ya wanted to meet Maizie," chuckled Landy, "thought ye
wanted to contract her fer fortune tellin' down at that island place?
Anyhow," continued the raconteur in a serious vein, "there's no chance
fer a row. I know Hulls, I knew his daddy, old Matt. He knows I'm no
sheriff a lookin' fer trouble. He'll talk to me like a friend. I'm
jist out here a-showin' my circus friend the scenery. He'll talk to me
all friendly like, en Maizie will be tickled at yer size en talk about
circuses en sich. Speak up to her. Tell her that she belongs in this
fortune-tellin' business. Cut up a few of yer dance capers--git her
interested--en I'll find out why they ain't on the road to a getaway."

Landy turned into the double track that led north followed by a
reluctant midget. He watched the paths for signs of recent travel but
continued his recitations of local histo