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 to take his blankets and move to a mythical bourn of greater caloric intensity than Two Moons. Moreover, Strayman had chilled Von Tromp to the bone with the statement that the Killer had made a complete confession and did not want a lawyer until the time of his trial.

Von Tromp wondered and wondered if this were a lie. He yearned to believe it was. And yet he dared not let himself be convinced it was a lie.

One sign and another which his shrewd eyes noted in his progress back to the hotel forced him to the reluctant admission that Original Bill had been right in his refusal to stand sponsor for a strange lawyer come to offer his defense to the Killer. It would be distinctly embarrassing, not to say unhealthy, for the impression to spread through Two Moons at this juncture that he, Von Tromp, was on the ground to look after the Killer's interests. The man from Cheyenne quickly reviewed his interview with the district attorney to determine if by any possible slip on his part he had given that peppery official any clew to the identity of his employers.

Von Tromp sincerely hoped he had not. But here again he could not be sure.