e analysis. He told him of the previous visits of
these night-riders, and the results following upon the circulation of
the story by each individual who chanced to witness them. He told of
Joe Nelson's warning to him, and how his earnestness had, at length,
persuaded him to keep quiet. He felt no scruples in thus changing the
responsibility of Diane's warning. Nothing would have induced him to
drag her name into the matter.

"You see, sheriff," he said in conclusion, "I think I did right to
keep this matter to myself until such time as I could tell it to you.
It has all happened several times before, and, therefore, will no
doubt happen again. What do you think?"

"She's the finest thing I've ever set two eyes on. There's only one
like her--eh?" Tresler had given audible expression to his impatience,
and the other abruptly withdrew his gaze from the mare. "It's
interesting--decidedly."

"Did Marbolt tell you of the previous visits of these raiders? He
knows of them."

"He told me more than I had time to listen to."

"How?"

"He told me of the revolutionary spirit pervading the ranch."

"Ah!"

Tresler saw the trap the wily police officer had laid for him and
refused the bait. Evidently the blind man had told his version of that
morning's doings, and the sheriff wished to learn the men's side of
it. Probably his, Tresler's. This calm, cold man seemed to depend in
no way upon verbal answers for the information he desired, for he went
on without any appearance of expecting a reply.

"There's one thing you've made plain to me. You suspect collusion
between these raiders and some one on the ranch."

"Yes. I meant you to understand that."

"Whom do you suspect? And your reasons?"

The two questions rapped out one after the other like lightning.

"My suspicions rest nowhere, because I can find no reason."

They had drawn rein at the ford. Fyles now looked keenly into
Tresler's face, and his glance was full of meaning.

"I'm glad I've had this talk with you, Tresler. You have a keen
faculty for observation, and a wise caution. When you have reason to
suspect any one, and wish to tell me of it, you can communicate with
me at any hour of the day or night. I know this ranch well by repute.
So well, in fact, that I came out here to find you. You see, you also
were known to me--through mutual acquaintances in Forks. Now your
excellent caution will tell you that it would be bad policy for you to
communicate openly