第36章 EN PASSANT(4)

Two whole days passed with no report from either Seay or the buyers.Meanwhile Flood and The Rebel threaded their way through the other herds, crossing the Arkansaw above town, their wagons touching at Dodge for new supplies, never halting except temporarily until they reached the creek on which Forrest was encamped.The absence of Siringo and the buyers, to my thinking, was favorable, for no doubt when they came in, a deal would have been effected on the last of the Buford herds.They returned some time during the night of the third day out, and I failed to see the detective before sunrise the next morning.When I did meet him, everything seemed so serene that I felt jubilant over the outlook.Sponsilier's beeves had firmly caught the fancy of the buyers, and the delay in closing the trade was only temporary."Ican close the deal any minute I want to," said Siringo to me, "but we mustn't appear too anxious.Old man Don's idea was to get about one hundred thousand dollars earnest-money in hand, hut if I can get five or ten more, it might help tide us all over a hard winter.My last proposition to the buyers was that if they would advance forty-five thousand dollars on the 'Apple 'beeves--Sponsilier's cattle--they might appoint, at the seller's expense, their own foreman from Dodge to the point of delivery.They have agreed to give me an answer this morning, and after sleeping over it, I look for no trouble in closing the trade."The buyers were also astir early.I met Mr.Field in the post-office, where he was waiting for it to open.To his general inquiries I reported everything quiet, but suggested we move camp soon or the cattle would become restless.He listened very attentively, and promised that within a few days permission would be given to move out for our final destination.The morning were the quiet hours of the town, and when the buyers had received and gone over their large and accumulated mail, the partners came over to the Dodge House, looking for the fiscal agent, as Isupposed, to close the trade on Sponsilier's cattle.Siringo was the acme of indifference, hut listened to a different tale.Atrusted man, in whom they had placed a great deal of confidence, had failed to materialize.He was then overdue some four or five days, and foul play was suspected.The wily detective poured oil on the troubled waters, assuring them if their man failed to appear within a day or two, he would gladly render every assistance in looking him up.Another matter of considerable moment would be the arrival that morning of a silent partner, the financial man of the firm from Washington, D.C.He was due to arrive on the "Cannon Ball" at eight o'clock, and we all sauntered down to meet the train from the East.On its arrival, Siringo and I stood back among the crowd, but the buyers pushed forward, looking for their friend.The first man to alight from the day coach, coatless and with both eyes.blackened, was Archie Tolleston; he almost fell into the arms of our cattle buyers.Irecognized Archie at a glance, and dragging the detective inside the waiting-room, posted him as to the arrival with the wild look and blood-shot optics.Siringo cautioned me to go to his room and stay there, promising to report as the day advanced.