He swore, somewhat touched with awe, and kicked again.
A faint voice called: "Who's there ?" "Steve Nash.

What the devil's happened to Eldara ?" The boards of the shutter stirred, opened, so that the man within could look out.
"Is it Steve, honest ?" "Damn it, Butler, don't you know my voice?
What's turned Eldara into a cemetery ?" "Cemetery's right.

'Butch' Conklin and his gang are going to raid the place to-night." "Butch Conklin ?" And Nash whistled long and low.
"But why the devil don't the boys get together if they know Butch is coming with his gunmen ?" "That's what they've done.

Every able-bodied man in town is out in the hills trying to surprise Conklin's gang before they hit town with their guns going." Butler was a one-legged man, so Nash kept back the question which naturally formed in his mind.
"How do they know Conklin is coming?
Who gave the tip ?" "Conklin himself." "What?
Has he been in town ?" "Right.

Came in roaring drunk." "Why'd they let him get away again ?" "Because the sheriff's a bonehead and because our marshal is solid ivory.