Disappointed, they rode back, after tracing the bloodstains along the sidewalk to where they were lost in the dusty street.

They found that the carriage horse had been so badly hurt that its recovery was impossible, and Ted mercifully put a bullet into its brain.

The carriage was surrounded by people from the dance hall, who had been brought by the shots.

Among them was Billy Sudden.

“I reckon I called the turn,” said he, as Ted came up.

“You sure did,” said Ted.

“I ain’t presuming to give advice none,” said Billy, “but if it was me that got his sky piece knocked off and had a horse shot I believe I’d almost be tempted to round up this yere man’s town and capture every hoodlum in it, and sweat them to find out who fired them shots.”

“It wouldn’t do any good, Billy,” said Ted.  “The people in this town have got it in for the ranch people.  They think the ranches are taking trade away from them.  They’d sooner see the ranches split into farms of forty acres each.  They’d have so many more farmers to rob that way.”

“I reckon so.  But what are you going to do?  I want to tell you that me and my boys stand with you till the burning pit freezes over, whenever and wherever you need us.”

“May have to call on you one of these days, but not now.”

“Ain’t you going after that young imp, Creviss?  Say, he’s the meanest boy I ever saw.  If I was his father I’d make him behave, or I’d bust him wide open.”

“I understand his father thinks Wiley is just smart and spirited, and is ready to back him up in anything he does.”

“Ought to make the old man popular.”

“Not so you can see it.  But that boy is a tough citizen, and getting tougher every day.”

“I’m hearing a good deal about that kid these days.  He trains with a bunch of bad ones over at Strongburg.”

“For instance?”

“Lately he’s been running with ‘Skip’ Riley, a crook who has the reputation of having made more money out of holding up trains than by working.”

“I know his record.  How long has he been there?”

“Several months.  He came there from the Nebraska penitentiary, and he was smooth enough to work the reformed-criminal, first-offense racket on the women there until they finally got him a job in the fire department.  He seems to be a hero in the eyes of a lot of tough young fellows here and in Strongburg, and they follow him in anything he suggests.”

“That’s not a healthy proposition for a boy.  Mr. Riley ought to be conducted out of town.”

“The worst of it is he has banded them into some sort of secret organization.”

“What do they call it?”

“I did know, but I’ve plumb forgotten.  There’s a young fellow uptown whom I’m trying to keep straight on account of his folks back East.  I know his sister.”  Ted could see Billy’s face get red as he said this.  “His name is Jack Farley.  Perhaps you know him.”