t-fire, smoked and helped the tale along with reminiscent suggestions and ejaculations of interest and curiosity. In the midst of a vivid account of the juxtaposition of a tele

d to Shoop. The men gazed at each other, nodded, and the

n the foreman called to Hi Wingle, ask

d beans, Bud. Figured on m

. "Boss says we're goin' to bush here th

ny on the west side,

d at each ot

of flour and a sack of frijoles'll s

red Corliss. "I'm going to stay

ack and lettin' the men do the fightin'! Some style to Jack Corliss! A

't get into mischief," co

folks out of mischief, eh,

kin' of turnin' this outfit into a sheep-camp," re

ho rose from beside the fir

dled two pack-animals. "Tony has the keys. He'll pack the stuff for yo

had been chosen as the one whose services could most easily be dispensed with at the camp. Silently he rode away, the empty kyacks clattering as the pack-hors

. Finally he coaxed them past the cottonwoods and up to the gate. It was open, an unusual circumstance which did not escape his notice. He drifted through the shadows toward the corral, where he tied the horses. Then he stepped to the bunk-house, found a lant

gain called. He heard a slight movement behind him and turned to see the door close. From behind stepped a figure, a slender figure that

ulated, backing

." And Corliss e

. His eyes widened and he lowered the lantern. "Billy!" he sa

r. "Shake, pal! It's a long tim

her's hardened features. "Billy!" h

you doing here?" he retorted,-"in t

flour and beans for

od, that! But they don't keep the g

ss. "Guess you made the mistake

our tin-t

ght you was c

it. I'm here to get what's coming to me. Jack t

t gettin' it right," said Sundo

ou didn't used to be

d a cent in me

et the chuck. Here are the keys to the store-room-an

, Billy. 'Sides, I'm workin' for the Concho, now. The

g to squeal-going bac

ightened his lean shoulders. "I tell you, Billy; if yo

pped toward the safe. "Just hol

his scruples. Corliss hastily drew a small canvas sack from the sa

t. "Well, so-long, Sun

u go straight to hell and me do nothin'. Mebby some of that dough is yourn. I du

d you'll get sent over for this. Well, yo

hat, Billy.

ng religion, too. Well, I neve

s always your

open. Sundown felt rather than heard a presence behind him. Before he could turn, something crashed down on his head. The face of his

e, Bill. I followed him from the cottonwoods and heard his talk. I was waiti

the wall, trembling and

d him. Get a move, Bill. No tellin' who

ss no

light. "Come on, Bil

," said Corliss.

t's easy, Bill. They find the Bo on the j

r Soper's," said Fadeaway. "I'll keep on for the Blu

s hesi

d Fadeaway, reining his

d pawed at him. Slowly Sundown's eyes opened. He tried to rise and sank back groaning. Chance frisked around him playfully coaxing. Finally Sundown managed to sit up. With pain-heavy eyes he gazed around the room. Slowly he got to his feet and staggered to the doorway. He leaned against the lintel and breathed deeply of the fresh morning air. The clear cold tang of the storm that had passed, lingered, giving a keen edge to the morning. "We're sure in wrong," he m

ed and looked back. Sundown encouraged him by waving his ar

od, nosed among them, and finally

y back groaning as the dull pain in his head leaped intermittently to blinding stabs of agony. It seemed ages before he heard the quick staccato of hoofs on th

in, breathing hard. "What'

," muttered Sundown, poi

e what's

ut and across

wn. "What's wrong, Sun? Wh

nd bathed Sundown's head. "

s tryin' to stop one fella from takin' it when the other slips me one

e's T

s goin' to see

u take it easy as you

exican bound and gagged in the stable. He released him, but could make nothing of his answers sa

ndown. In the bunkhous

nd he spoke with a strange quietness.

p, pointing toward the corne

man that did it knew the combination," h

d. "I don't know," he said, as if in answer to a sile

, turning in the doorway. "But it ain't d

nk and laid his hand on Sundown's sleeve. "Look here, Sun, if you know anything about this, just tell me. The money's gone a

inked and

threaten or command. "Did you recognize

"Wasn't I hit in t

y. "What were you do

stop the

d he loo

feet and pow'ful built. Had whiskers so's I couldn't pipe his face. Big puncher hat

ing. Next, you're used up pretty bad and we're short-handed. Then, we're losing time trying to track the thieves. But I'm not riled up a little bit. Don't think I'm mad at you. I'm m

for Corliss was undoubtedly friendly. In a flash he saw that he could not get away from the truth. Yet he determined to shield his old pal of the road. "Y

h. Are you working for the Conch

muttered Sundo

nd slim, and clean-shaved, and he didn't wear a puncher hat. You weren't scared of him because he was a coward. You tried to get him

are up," s

er Billy for this. You lied to me, b