I had originally thought that Hoffner was working somewhere in the mountains searching for strays or that something out of the ordinary happened. Perhaps he was thrown by his horse, or that his horse had stumbled and fell on him. But now, with what Donovan had said I had a whole different view–Hoffner had left the area, or at least was hiding out. But why?“Marshal, he was fidgety, actin’ strange,” recalled Donovan. “I gave him several days of fixin’s.”I looked over at Thompson who gave a little shrug. “First I’ve heard of it. Bill didn’t say anything about Clyde leaving.”“Where can I find Farmer?” I asked. “Hoffner might have said somethin’ to him.” The way Donovan explained Hoffner’s actions I didn’t think Farmer would know, but it wouldn’t do any harm to ask.Thompson stroked his chin a few times before he spoke. “I think he’s…”“He’s supposed to be in the south pasture looking over the herd and was to meet up with the boys,” interrupted Donovan.Thompson stared at Donovan for several seconds, then turned his attention to me. “There you have it Marshal, check the south pasture,” he responded also with a little shrug.Donovan had just filled up my cup so I took a sip pondering how large the south pasture was. Donovan was smiling as if he was reading my mind. “Just head straight south from the barn. The boys usually camp in a small grove of cottonwoods about an hour from here.”“Cecil, I really don’t know what’s goin’ on. I’ll stop back by here before headin’ back to Durango. Thanks for your time and hospitality.”He stood up as I did, reaching out his hand. “I hope he’s not in serious trouble. Keep me informed, will you?”“Will do,” I said, then reached for the cup to take my last swallow.An hour later I saw the cottonwoods, and could make out a small fire at the campsite. The boys must be taking it easy or Bill Farmer hasn’t found them yet. When I rode in I waved. Farmer was there and I recognized another one of the cowboys, the other three I didn’t know. Thompson had a regular turnover with hands. He paid good wages, but was a rough man. Some said he was hard to work for, but from what I gathered, he expected a full day’s work for the wages he paid. Lots of punchers wanted to loaf and Cecil had no trouble turning them loose.After dismounting I walked up to the fire. One of the punchers already had a cup of coffee poured for me, and who was I not to accept the offer. “What brings you way out here, Marshal?” questioned Farmer. He looked quickly at the four men with him to see if any of them were startled at seeing a marshal approach them.I nodded at the crew to let them know that they were not under my scrutiny, then answered Farmer. “I’m lookin’ for Clyde Hoffner. Any idea where he might be?”Farmer shook his head, then looked toward the others. “Any of you know anything about Clyde?”A man who had been sitting by the fire stood and came to me. “I saw Clyde just before he left. He said he had to leave. I asked him why and he wouldn’t answer just said, ‘Because’,” the man paused, took off his hat to wipe his brow and when he had replaced it continued. “Marshal, I don’t know if this has anything to do with it, but there was a rider come up to the house and barged into the bunkhouse. There were only a couple of us there and we didn’t appreciate his manner, but we also noticed the way he carried his gun.”“Go on,” I urged.“He said he was looking for Clyde. I replied that he wasn’t here. He stared at me with eyes that gave me the shivers. Honestly, I thought he was going to pull his gun and shoot me. That’s when Ozzie spoke up telling the man that I was telling the truth.”“Marshal, he turned to leave, but stopped to glare at both of us. ‘If you’re lying, I’ll be back and it won’t go well with either of you,’ then he strode on out the door slamming it behind him.”I took a swallow and washed the coffee through my mouth before swallowing. “Marshal, Ozzie and I were telling the truth. Clyde had done left a few hours before.”Shaking my head, I muttered, “What in the world had Clyde gotten himself into. That man, could it have been the man in the diner?”“What was that you were saying, Marshal”? asked Farmer.“Nothin’, just talkin’ to myself. Thanks for the coffee and the information. Let me know if you see Clyde. I want to talk to him before that other fellow finds him.”