f the girl who had fed him.

"Ma'am, I'm Sheriff Neal of San Jacinto County," continued the deep
voice, as several feet shuffled slightly. "These men with me are
members of my posse. Maybe you know Judge Brown?"

"I--I've seen him," answered the girl.

Rathburn could feel Lamy's knees shaking against him in excitement.

"I believe we've met some time," Brown put in. Rathburn thought the
justice's voice sounded tired.

"Ma'am, we're looking for a man--or two men." It was the sheriff
speaking again. "Have you seen any one around here this morning--any
stranger, or strangers, I mean?"

"Why, no," replied the girl with a breathless catch in her voice. "I
haven't seen any one."

"You're sure?"

Rathburn frowned at the sheriff's tone, although he kept his eyes on
Lamy's white face.

He smiled as he remembered that the sheriff had mentioned two men.
This doubtless was the cause of Lamy's agitation. Nor did he think
Lamy had forgotten that he, Rathburn, had pointed out that he could
prove he didn't rob the place in Dry Lake.

"You're sure?" the sheriff asked again.

"Why, yes," replied the girl. "I am sure."

"Maybe she can get us some breakfast," said Brown hopefully.

"Can you feed five men, ma'am?" asked the sheriff in a softer tone.

"Just sit down, and I'll get you some breakfast," said the girl.

The two men in the little cellar could hear some of the men taking
chairs and one or two going out to look after the horses. The girl's
light footsteps retreated into the kitchen.

Rathburn smiled mysteriously at Lamy who was shivering with a case of
nerves.

"I can't understand who that was with him--or following him," came
Brown's voice. "Somebody must have seen him getting away and set out
on the trail while it was hot."

"Either that or saw him beating it somewheres on the trail east of
town an' took after him on suspicion," drawled the sheriff. "'Spect
everybody around here has seen those reward notices you put out."

"That's so," said Brown. "I had the right hunch when I got the tip
he'd left his Arizona hangout, sheriff. I figured he'd head this way.
Then he had the nerve--well, you know what happened in my office."

The sheriff chuckled. Then he spoke angrily. "He can't pull any of his
stunts in my territory," he said growlingly. "I'll hunt him down if I
have to put every man I've got on the trail an' keep 'em there. I
figure, though," he added hopefully, "that we've got him cornered in
or around