McAlpin was the first to get the news at the barn. He gave first aid to the helpless guard, and, without dreaming he could be got to a surgeon alive, rushed him in a light wagon to the hospital at Sleepy Cat, where it was said that he must have more lives than a wildcat. Sassoon, not caring to brave de Spains anger in town, went temporarily into hiding. A second surgeon was brought from Medicine Bend, and heroic efforts were put forth to nurse again into life the feeble spark the assassin had left in the unlucky guard.
Word of this cutting reached de Spain at Thief River. He started for Calabasas, learned there during a brief stop what he couldwhich was, of course, next to nothingof the affray, and posted on to Sleepy Cat.
A conference was held in Jeffriess office. De Spain, Lefever, and some of the division staff discussed the situation raised by the affair. De Spain was instructed to see that Sassoon was brought in and made an example of for the benefit of his Calabasas friends. Accordingly, while the guards life hung in the balance, the sheriff, Jim Druel, was despatched after Sassoon. A great deal of inquiry, much riding, and a lot of talk on Druels part accomplished nothing.
Lefever spoiled with impatience to get after Sassoon. The only way well ever get one of that gang is to go for him ourselves, said he. The sheriffs campaign did collapse. Sassoon could not be found although rumor was notorious that he continued to haunt Calabasas. Lefevers irritation grew. Never mind, John, counselled de Spain, forget about wanting him. Sometime one of us will stumble on him, and when we do well shackle him. The precaution was taken, meantime, to secure a warrant for the missing man, together with authority for either of the two to serve it. Elpaso, in the end, justified his old reputation by making a recoveryhaltingly, it is true, and with perilous intervals of sinking, but a recovery.
It was while he still lay in the hospital and hope was very low that de Spain and Lefever rode, one hot morning, into Calabasas and were told by McAlpin that Sassoon had been seen within five minutes at the inn. To Lefever the news was like a bubbling spring to a thirsty man. His face beamed, he tightened his belt, shook out his gun, and looked with benevolent interest on de Spain, who stood pondering. If you will stay right here, Henry, he averred convincingly, I will go over and get Sassoon.
The chief stage-guard, Bob Scott, the Indian, was in the barn. He smiled at Lefevers enthusiasm. Sassoon, said he, is slippery.
Youd better let us go along and see you do it, suggested de Spain, who with the business in hand grew thoughtful.
Gentlemen, I thank you, protested Lefever, raising one hand in deprecation, the other resting lightly on his holster. We still have some little reputation to maintain along the Sinks. Dont let us make it a posse for Sassoon . No one opposed him further, and he rode away alone.
It wont be any trouble for John to bring Sassoon in, murmured Scott, who spoke with a smile and in the low tone and deliberate manner of the Indian, if he can find him.
With de Spain, Scott remained in front of the barn, saddled horses in hand. They could see nothing of the scene of action, and de Spain was forced in idleness to curb his impatience. Lefever rode down to the inn without seeing a living thing anywhere about it. When he dismounted in front he thought he heard sounds within the barroom, but, pushing open the door and looking circumspectly into the room before entering, he was surprised to find it empty.
There was something, under the circumstances and in the stimulus of danger, almost uncanny in the silence, the absence of any life whatever about the place. Lefever walked cautiously inside; there seemed no need of caution. No one was there to confront or oppose him. Surveying the interior with a rapid glance, he walked to the left end of the bar and, gun in readiness, looked apprehensively behind it. Not so much as a strainer was to be seen underneath. He noticed, however, that the sash of the low window on his left, which looked into the patio, was open, and two heel-marks in the hard clay suggested that a man might have jumped through. Whether these were Sassoons heels or anothers, Lefever decided they constituted his clew, and, running out of the front door, he sprang into his saddle and rode to where he could signal de Spain and Scott to come up.
He told his story as they joined him, and the three returned
to the inn. Scott rode directly to the rear. Lefever took de Spain in to the bar, showed him the open sash, and pointed to the heel-prints. De Spain stepped through the window, Lefever following. An examination showed the slide of a spur-rowel behind one heel-mark and indications of a hasty jump.
While they bent over the signs that seemed to connect their quarry with the place, a door opened across the courtyard, and Pedro appeared. He was curiously dense to all inquiries, and Lefever, convinced that Sassoon was somewhere at hand, revenged himself by searching the place.