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"Do you think he'll do it?" Alexis asked after they returned to the boardinghouse. "I believe he will," Alex replied. "He's a decent man from all accounts. As long as we're out of his hair." "I wonder if he's staying here," Alexis said. "Mrs. Quincy might tell us." "She might. He's from out of town, he may be working from wherever he's staying. If that's here..." "Let's go ask."
"That would be Mr. Schiller," Mrs. Quincy said. "He and another man - I believe his name is Oscar - arrived three days ago. They rented two rooms - Oscar stays in his room most of the time, he has a little table and he has a lot of papers - mayabe he's some sort of assistant. Anyway Mr. Schiller is out most of the time - at the marshal's office or the telegraph office." "Is he here now?" Alex asked. "I don't know - I saw him go out this morning and haven't seen him come back. Usually he comes back around noon and he and Oscar go to lunch." "It's after ten," Alexis said. "Why don't we see Oscar and ask him to tell Mr. Schiller we would like to see him? What room is he in?" "Room 241," Mrs. Quincy replied. "The west wing." "Thanks," Alexis said. "We'll go see if he's in."
"Oscar?" Alexis asked the man who answered the door. "Yes. What can I do for you?" "I apologize," Alexis said. "I didn't mean to... I forgot to ask Mrs. Quincy your last name..." "She probably doesn't know it," Oscar replied, "unless she read it on the register. Oscar Danielson at your service. Now what kind of service may I be of?" "I'm Alexis Duncan," Alexis said. "This is my brother Alex." "Your parents were killed in the... " He paused. "The matter is being referred to as the Duncan Ranch Affair," he said. "I'm sorry, but your family is one of the most prominent in this area and seems to have been the main target. What are you doing here?" "Two men hired by our family are on the way here," Alex said. "They'll be here tomorrow. While we're waiting we'd like to know what you've found so far." "I can't discuss the matter with you," Oscar replied. "You would have to ask Patrick... Mr. Schiller. He's in charge of the investigation. He should be coming in for lunch about noon. "We wouldn't want to intrude," Alexis said. "Would about one o'clock be agreeable. We'll have lunch in the dining room here - will he be having lunch here?" "We normally go out," Oscar said. "Make it one-thirty - I'l tell Patrick you wish to see him." "Here at one-thirty then?" asked Alexis. "We'll see you then." They turned to leave before he could object. "Now if he doesn't skip out on us," Alexis said after they returned to Alex's room. "I don't believe he will," Alex replied. "He'll leave it up to Patrick. We'll go down at one and be waiting when they return." "Good idea."
At one o'clock they returned to Peter Schiller's room. Alexis knocked and waited a while, then knocked again before trying the knob. It was locked. "They're still at lunch then," Alex said. "Let's sit down over there so someone doesn't see us and get suspicious." The hallway had four chairs and a small table in a small alcove about halfway along its length. They sat down and waited. Peter Schiller was an older man, Alex guessed he was in his fifties. Like Oscar he wore casual business attire - a white shirt with long sleeves and dark trousers. Oscar's were a dark blue and Peter's were black. Both wore black boots with low flat heels. His wristwatch looked expensive, like one her father sometimes wore. "You shouldn't be here," he said. "I understand your feelings but this is not a task for people of any age without the experience lawmen have." "Are any lawmen looking for them?" Alexis asked. "All the men in the field are seeking information," Schiller replied. "We are collecting reports daily from returning patrols and investigator following leads. The Kruger gang has several known hideouts and there are no doubt others we don't know about. Since we haven't located them at any of the known locations they must be elsewhere. That's what we are trying to find out. The western border is over two hundred miles away and they could be there or even over in Solandria." "If they cross the border you'll never catch them," Alexis said. "I doubt they'll go that far," said Schiller. "The Solandrian government keeps an eye on the border for just that reason. Not that Solandria is has much to offer." "Except a safe hiding place," Alex said. "They must be found. If you're not going to help we'll find someone who will." "Bounty hunters?" Schiller asked. "Yes, there are men who will do that, for a price. Most are as unsavory as those they pursue. I don't advise you to approach any of them, assuming you know where to find them." "That won't be necessary," Alexis said. "But thank you for your concern. Alex, I believe we should get on with our business." "I agree," Alex said. "Whatever your plans," Schiller said, "I would urge you to abandon them. This is no place for children, even children of your age. Carver's Creek is not as civilized as it appears. I suggest that you not be out after dark."
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