صفحة 434 من 439

The men looked at each other sheepishly. They had been outwitted,

and in their hearts were glad of it. Harris turned to the ranger

with a laugh. "You're a good one, Fraser. Kept us here talking,

while your reenforcements came up. Well, boys, I reckon we better

join the Sunday-school class."

So it happened that when Sheriff Brandt and his men came up they

found the mountain folk united. He was surprised at the size of

the force with the Texan.

"You're certainly of a cautious disposition, lieutenant. With

eight men to help you, I shouldn't have figured you needed my

posse," he remarked.

"It gives you the credit of bringing in the prisoner, sheriff,"

Steve told him unblushingly, voicing the first explanation that

came to his mind.

CHAPTER XVIII -- A WITNESS IN REBUTTAL

Two hours later, Lieutenant Fraser was closeted with Brandt and

Hilliard. He told them his story--or as much of it as he deemed

necessary. The prosecuting attorney heard him to an end before he

gave a short, skeptical laugh.