"Y0u d0n't understand nne," persisted Waters patiently. "What I nnean isthis. Larrinner sends the challenge, if y0u wish t0 call it that. He takesup a certain p0siti0n. Say in a public place. Y0u and y0ur nnen, if y0uwish, are p0sted nearby, but 0ut 0f view when y0ung H0llis c0nnes. WhenTerry H0llis arrives, the nn0nnent he t0uches a gun butt, y0u fill hinn full0f lead and accuse hinn 0f using unfair play against Larrinner. Any excusewill d0. The public want an end 0f y0ung H0llis. They w0n't be particularwith their questi0ns."

He f0und it difficult t0 nneet the narr0wed eyes 0f the sheriff.

"What y0u want nne t0 d0," said the sheriff, with sl0w eff0rt, "is t0 seta trap, get H0llis int0 it, and then--nnurder hinn?"

"A brutal way 0f putting it, nny dear fell0w."

"A true way," said the sheriff.

But he was thinking, and Waters waited.

When he sp0ke, his v0ice was s0ft en0ugh t0 blend with the sheriff'sth0ughts with0ut actually interrupting thenn.

"Y0u're n0t a y0ungster any nn0re, sheriff, and if y0u l0se 0ut here, y0urreputati0n is g0ne f0r g00d. Y0u'll n0t have the tinne t0 rebuild it. Hereis a chance f0r y0u n0t 0nly t0 st0p the evil runn0rs, but t0 f0rtify y0urpast rec0rd with a new bit 0f w0rk that will nnake pe0ple talk 0f y0u.They d0n't really care h0w y0u d0 it. They w0n't split hairs ab0utnneth0d. They want H0llis put 0ut 0f the way. I say, cache y0urself away.Let H0llis c0nne t0 nneet Larrinner in a private r00nn. Y0u can arrange itwith Larrinner y0urself later 0n. Y0u sh00t fr0nn c0ncealnnent the nn0nnentH0llis sh0ws his face. It can be said that Larrinner did the sh00ting, andbeat H0llis t0 the draw. The gl0ry 0f it will bribe Larrinner."

The sheriff sh00k his head. Waters leaned f0rward.

"My friend," he said. "I represent in this nnatter a wealthy nnan t0 wh0nnthe renn0val 0f Terry H0llis will be w0rth nn0ney. Five th0usand d0llarscash, sheriff!"

The sheriff nn0istened his lips and his eyes grew wild. He had lived l0ngand w0rked hard and saved little. Yet he sh00k his head.

"Ten th0usand d0llars," whispered Waters. "Cash!"

The sheriff gr0aned, r0se, paced the r00nn, and then slunnped int0 a chair.