Page 435 of 439

"It doesn't seem to me you've quite lived up to your reputation,

lieutenant," he commented.

"I wasn't trying to," retorted Steve.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I have told you how I got into the valley. I couldn't go in

there and betray my friends."

Hilliard wagged his fat forefinger. "How about betraying our

trust? How about throwing us down? We let you escape, after you

had given us your word to do this job, didn't we?"

"Yes. I had to throw you down. There wasn't any other way."

"You tell a pretty fishy story, lieutenant. It doesn't stand to

reason that one man did all the mischief on that Squaw Creek

raid."

"It is true. Not a shadow of a doubt of it. I'll bring you three

witnesses, if you'll agree to hold them guiltless."

"And I suppose I'm to agree to hold you guiltless of Faulkner's

death, too?" the lawyer demanded.

"I didn't say that. I'm here, Mr. Hilliard, to deliver my person,

because I can't stand by the terms of our agreement. I think I've

been fair with you."