imes, civilly enough, but there was a restraint that Pan
sensed often in his encounter with men. They were usually men who did
not understand westerners like himself.

Wiggate had all his men, except the one he had sent back to Marco, with
several of Pan's engaged in counting the captured wild horses. It was
a difficult task and could hardly be accurate in short time.

"Anxious to get back to Marco?" queried Wiggate, not unkindly as he saw
Pan's restlessness.

"Yes, I am, now the job's done," replied Pan heartily.

"Well, I wouldn't be in any hurry, if I were you," said the horse
dealer, bluntly.

"What do you mean?" queried Pan.

"Young Hardman is to be reckoned with."

"Bah!" burst out Pan in a scorn that was rude, though he meant it for
Hardman. "That pop-eyed skunk! What do I care for him?"

"Excuse me, I would not presume to advise you," returned Wiggate
stiffly.

"Aw, I beg your pardon, Mr. Wiggate," apologized Pan. "I know you mean
well. And I sure thank you."

Wiggate did not answer, but he took something from his vest pocket, It
was a lead bullet, slightly flattened.

"Let me see your gun?" he asked.

Pan handed the weapon to him, butt first. Wiggate took it gingerly,
and tried to fit the bullet in a chamber of the cylinder, and then in
the barrel. It was too large to go in.

"This is the bullet that killed Hardman," said Wiggate gravely. "It
was never fired from your gun. I shall take pains to make this evident
in Marco."

"I don't know that it matters but I'm sure much obliged," returned Pan
with warmth.

"Well, I'll do it anyhow. I've been fooled by Hardman and, if you want
to know it, cheated too. That's why I broke with him."

"Hope you didn't have any other association with him--besides horse
buying."

"No, but I'm lucky I didn't."

"Hardman had his finger in a lot of things in Marco. I wonder who'll
take them up. Say, for instance some of the gold claims he jumped."

"Well! I knew Hardman had mining interests, but I thought they were
legitimate. It's such a queer mixed-up business, this locating,
working, and selling claims. I want none of it."

"Hardman's men, either at his instigation or Dick's, deliberately ran
two of my men out of their claims. They'll tell you so."

"I'm astonished. I certainly am astonished," replied Wiggate, and he
looked it.

"Marco is the hardest town I ever rode into," declared Pan. "And I
thought some of the prairie towns were