"Where will I find the sheriff of this place?"
"Guess ther' ain't no sheriff in this camp."
Beasley grinned. His astonishment was giving place to curiosity and speculation. He tapped the revolver at his hip.
"We're mostly our own lawyers around here," he said easily.
"Where can I find one--a lawyer, or sheriff?" she demanded with an added imperiousness.
The stranger considered a moment. Beasley's eyes never left her. He had noticed the refinement of her accent, and wondered the more.
"How can I get there--best?" the woman next demanded.
"Guess I ken let you have a team," Beasley said with alacrity. He smelt good business.
"Fifty dollars. In an' out--with teamster."
"I don't want any mistakes. This--is a case of murder."
Beasley's interest suddenly redoubled. The problem was growing in its attractiveness.
"Who's the feller?" he asked unguardedly.
"That's not your business." The woman's eyes were cold. "Send the team over to the farm down the river in two hours' time. The horses must be able to travel fast. Here's the money."
The saloon-keeper took the money promptly. But for once his astonishment held him silent. Mercy Lascelles had reached the door to go. Then she seemed to change her mind. She paused.
"There's fifty dollars more when I get back--if you keep your tongue quiet," she said warningly. "I don't want my business to get around. I should say gossip travels fast amongst the hills. That's what I don't want."
It was all the astonished man could think of to say at the moment. But he managed an abundant wink in a markedly friendly way.
His wink missed fire, however, for the woman had departed; and by the time he reached the door to look after her he saw her mounting the wagon, which was drawn by the heavy team from Joan's farm, and driven by her hired man.
As the stranger drove off he leant against the doorway and emitted a low whistle. In his own phraseology he was "beat," completely and utterly "beat."
But this state of things could not last long. His fertile brain could not long remain under such a cloud of astonished confusion. He must sort out the facts and piece them together. This he set to work on at once.
Abandoning his work in the storeroom he went at once to the barn, and gave orders for the dispatch of the team. And herein, for once, he traded honestly with his visitor. He ordered his very best team to be sent. Perhaps it was in acknowledgment of the problem she had offered him.