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“He is coveringrides on freights,” said Mack

“Probably using both, depending on his situation,” said Wally

Bell asked, “Who was the murdered man?”

“Local owlhoot, according to the sheriff Sort of a real-life Broncho Billy-our chief suspect … Sorry, Isaac, couldn’t resist” Fulton nodded at the wanted poster

“Keep it up and I won’t resist asking Mr Van Dorn to post Weber and Fields to Alaska”

“… Suspected of knocking over a stagecoach up in thea copper-o Turned in his partners for a lighter sentence Looks like he knew Jake Dunn from prison”

Bell shook his head in disgust “The Wrecker is not only hiring hands to help but hiring criminals to hire help He can hit anywhere on the continent”

There was a tentative knock at the door The detectives looked up, gazes narrowing at the sight of a nervous-looking youth in a wrinkled sack suit He had a cheap suitcase in one hand and his hat in the other “Mr Bell, sir?”

Isaac Bell recognized young James Dashwood from the San Francisco office, the apprentice detective who had done such a thorough job establishing the innocence of the union man killed in the Coast Line Limited wreck

“Come on in, James Meet Weber and Fields, the oldest detectives in America”

“Hello, Mr Weber Hello, Mr Fields”

“I’m Weber,” said Mack “He’s Fields”

“Sorry, sir”

Bell asked, “What are you doing here, James?”

“Mr Bronson sent me with this, sir He told me to ride expresses to beat the mail”