Mutt chuckled when he replied, “Neither did the territory of Wyomin’, but Billy figured he’d served as much time as he wanted to. He’s been layin’ low since he came out here, pickin’ up cash anyway he can. So far, ain’t nobody complained about his work. You oughta talk to him, let him take care of that little problem of yours. Hell, if you pay him, Billy’ll go find him, even if he didn’t follow you here.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Booth said, “if he ain’t lookin’ for too much to do the job—save us a little trouble.” He glanced over at the bored woman sitting at the table. “Is it all right to talk about it with her sittin’ right here, listenin’ to every word?”

Mutt chuckled. “Ain’t nothin’ to worry about with Loretta. She’s heard a lot of talk in here since I opened up and she knows not to open her mouth about it. I think you’ll be satisfied with Billy to do the job. He’ll be in to get some grub around suppertime.”

* * *

At the other end of the street, Hawk pulled Rascal up in front of the stable and dismounted. Seeing no one in the blacksmith’s shop next door, he figured to find Grover Bramble at the stable. Grover took over the stable after Frank Bowen was shot down by a fellow named Zach Dubose. He remembered Hawk because it happened that he was his first customer when he became the stable owner. On this day, Grover was cleaning out some stalls when Hawk walked in. “Well, John Hawk,” he declared when he saw who it was. “When did you get back in town?”

“Grover,” Hawk greeted in return. “This mornin’. How’s business goin’ for ya?”

“I reckon I can’t complain, and even if I do, it don’t seem to make no difference. You wantin’ to board that buckskin?” He took a look out the stable door. “You ain’t got a packhorse?”

“No, I don’t, and I’ve regretted it every day on this trip. I’ll leave Rascal with you at least for tonight, and if you don’t mind, I’ll just sleep with him. I don’t know if I’ll be here longer’n one night or not. I’m hopin’ I’m on the trail of two men I think came to Helena. Any chance you’ve seen two strangers, one of ’em riding a black Morgan with a fancy saddle with a lot of handwork on it and both of ’em leadin’ a packhorse?”

“Nope, I ain’t seen nobody like that come by here. What are you followin’ them for? I thought you was ridin’ scout for the army. You ain’t gone to work as a lawman, have you?”