f is indisputable
and I am going to secure restitution if I can. By the time you
receive this the matter will be definitely settled one way or the
other.

"The O-O brand is not owned, as you suppose, by Mr. Wistar, but by
a side partner of Matlock's named Coogan, a saloon keeper and
tin-horned gambler in Gunniston. Their game has been to not only
alter your C-- into O-O, but to have your own men, confederates of
Matlock's and working under his directions, brand your calves in
that brand, killing the mothers when necessary. I figure that your
losses have been at least one thousand head. I have discharged
every man implicated or under reasonable suspicion, retaining only
four whom I deem dependable. I did not acquaint you of these facts
before your departure for reasons that do not matter.

"Should I be fortunate in my endeavor I will report promptly.
Should you not hear from me within the next two weeks you may
assume that my attempt has been unsuccessful. In the latter event
you had better place the matter in the hands of competent counsel;
sufficient proofs can be easily supplied by the men now in your
employ, and an examination of young cattle in the O-O brands will
give you sufficient evidence for an action for damages."

On another sheet he wrote:

"In case of my death from any cause, I hereby direct that all my
effects be given to Red McVey if he be alive; if he be not, then it
is my wish that they be divided among the other three boys employed
at the time of this writing on the C Bar ranch."

"BREWSTER."

He signed and sealed them in separate envelopes, directing both to
Robert Carter. Then he entrusted them to Abbie with the request that she
have the former mailed at once to New York, but to retain the latter
for two weeks before mailing. He was very explicit in his instructions
and enjoined her to carry them out in every particular. She was inclined
to ask questions but he calmly ignored them and went off to bed, after
informing her that he wanted breakfast at daybreak in the morning.

As he entered the bunkhouse the measured breaths from each bed were
those of placidly sleeping men and he undressed in the dark so as not to
disturb them. A single ray of moonlight lay across the room, hitting
squarely the peg in the post above Red's bunk. It lit up the two
revolvers hanging in their