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186 Embryos game was, was a different matter. It was a word from Turk Wilson upon another matter which brought Steele to action in Joe Embry's direction.

"Say, Bill," asked Wilson abruptly, "you got a way about playin' your own hand an' not takin' the other feller in. Jus' the same I'm goin' to ask something."

"Fire away, Turk," nodded Steele. "What is it?"

"Do you or don't you own an' operate the gamblin' house in Summit City? An' the others strung through these hills?"

"I do not," was the prompt answer. But Steele had looked up curiously, waiting for Turk to go on.

"Then Flash Truitt an' Joe Embry is both damn liars," said the succinct Turk.

"They are. At least Embry is. Did they say that?"

"What's more," continued Turk slowly, "Jim Banks says the same thing. When a sheriff says a thing like that an' it ain't so—"

"Then," cut in Steele, "it's high time I had a talk with Joe Embry."

"I'd step easy, pardner," advised Turk, seeing the new look in his employer's eyes. "An' I'd remember one large size thing: Jim Banks is sheriff an' he ain't the same man he used to be."

"Meaning just what, Turk?"

"Meanin' that Embry's somehow got him under his thumb. He used to be a square guy; now he looks out of his eyes at you like a dawg. An' he minds to his name when Embry says, 'Lie down,' or 'Sick 'em.' … Say, Bill, will you get me a plug tobacco? …