I went back indoors, for further questioning. Of the seven men who had been in Bardell’s place at the time of the shooting, three seemed to be fairly trustworthy. The testimony of those three agreed with Bardell’s in every detail.
“Didn’t you say you were going out to see Peery?” Bardell asked.
“Yes.”
“Chick, get horses! Me and you’ll ride out there with the deputy, and as many of you other men as want to go. He’ll need guns behind him!”
“Nothing doing!” I stopped Chick. “I’m going by myself. This posse stuff is out of my line.”
Bardell scowled, but he nodded his head in agreement.
“You’re running it,” he said. “I’d like to go out there with you, but if you want to play it different, I’m gambling you’re right.”