Stubb and Arab were waiting on a corner for Baugh.  When he returned he withheld his report until they had retreated to the privacy of their own room.  Once secure, he said to both:  “If you would like to know what an active, resourceful brain is, put your ear to my head,” tapping his temple with his finger, “and listen to mine throb and purr.  Everything is working like silk.  I’m going around to board with him Saturday.  I want you to go over with me to-morrow, Stubby, and give him a big game about what a general uprising there is amongst the cowmen for an efficient man for the office of sheriff, and make it strong.  I gave him my last whirl to-day in German.  Oh, he’ll run all right; and we want to convey the impression that we can rally the cattle interests to his support.  Put up a good grievance, mind you!  You can both know that I begged strong when I took this cigar in preference to a drink.”

“It’s certainly a bad state of affairs we’ve come to when you refuse whiskey.  Don’t you think so, Stubby?” said Arab, addressing the one and appealing to the other.  “You never refused no drink, Baugh, you know you didn’t,” said Stubb reproachfully.

“Oh, you little sawed-off burnt-offering, you can’t see the policy that we must use in handling this matter.  This is a delicate play, that can’t be managed roughshod on horseback.  It has food, shelter, and drink in it for us all, but they must be kept in the background.  The main play now is to convince Mr. Seigerman that he has a call to serve his country in the office of sheriff.  Bear down heavy on the emergency clause.  Then make him think that no other name but Louie Seigerman will satisfy the public clamor.  Now, my dear Stubby, I know that you are a gifted and accomplished liar, and for that reason I insist that you work your brain and tongue in this matter.  Keep your own motive in the background and bring his to the front.  That’s the idea.  Now, can you play your part?”

“Well, as I have until to-morrow to think it over, I’ll try,” said Stubb.

The next afternoon Baugh and Stubb sauntered into Louie’s place, and received a very cordial welcome at the hands of the proprietor.  Baugh introduced Stubb as a friend of his whom he had met in town that day, and who, being also interested in cattle, he thought might be able to offer some practical suggestions.  Their polite refusal to indulge in a social glass with the proprietor almost hurt his feelings.

“Let us retire to the rear room for a few moments of conversation, if you have the leisure,” said Baugh.

Once secure in the back room, Stubb opened his talk.  “As my friend Mr. Baughman has said, I’m local manager of the Ohio Cattle Company operating in the Strip.  I’m spending considerable time in your town at present, as I’m overseeing the wintering of something like a hundred saddle horses and two hundred and fifty of our thoroughbred bulls.  We worked our saddle stock so late last fall, that