His voice, something deep, easy, cool about him, seemed to steady Hoden.
"No," replied Hoden.
"Does anybody know ?" went on Steele.
"Wal, I reckon there's not one honest native of Pecos who _knows_." "But you have your suspicions ?" "We have." "You can keep your suspicions to yourself.

But you can give me your idea about this crowd that hangs round the saloons, the regulars." "Jest a bad lot," replied Hoden, with the quick assurance of knowledge.
"Most of them have been here years.

Others have drifted in.

Some of them work odd times.

They rustle a few steer, steal, rob, anythin' for a little money to drink an' gamble.