On arriving in the city, Oldham took quarters at the Buena Vista and
sent for Saleratus Bill, whom he had summoned by wire as soon as he had
heard from that individual of Bob's intended visit to Fremont.
The spy arrived wearing a new broad, black hat, a celluloid collar, a
wrinkled suit of store clothes, and his same shrewd, evil leer. Oldham
did not appear, but requested that the visitor be shown into his room.
There, having closed the transom, he issued his instructions.
"I want you to pay attention, and not interrupt," said he. "Within a
month a case is coming up in which Orde, the Forest man, is to appear as
witness. He must not appear. I leave that all to you, but, of course, I
want no more than necessary violence. He must be detained until after
the trial, and for as long after that as I say. Understand?"
"Sure," said Saleratus Bill. "But when he comes back, he'll fix you just
the same."
"I'll see to that part of it. The case will never be reopened. Now, mind
you, no shooting----"
"There might be an accident," suggested Saleratus Bill, opening his red
eyes and staring straight at his principal.
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