edom without, and suspected
wrong and treachery within. Why should he not go? Who was to blame him?
Crook's cordiality to the accountable officer of the day, Lieutenant
Blake, went far to show that he was far from resentful of the result.
It really looked as though the Gray Fox would rather 'Tonio had never
been confined.

And later that winter's day, along toward sunset, another scene, far
less dramatic and impressive, was enacted at the office of the sheriff,
a mile away in town.

An adobe wall, some seven feet high, surrounded the corral, and beneath
the canvas awning on the southern side certain offenders against the
peace and dignity of Yavapai County had been assembled under the eye of
tobacco-chewing deputies. There were the Sanchez half-brothers,
'Patchie and Jose, both shackled. There was Munoz, similarly decked.
There slouched Dago, unfettered, but carefully watched. There were two
more of the riffraff of the redoubtable ghost ranch, and two of the
victims of the more skilful play, and potent doping, of the
proprietors. All were under surveillance, several under charges, but
where was Case?

It was Blackbeard who answered that question at five o'clock, when,
from the post ambulance, he and Bright sprang forth, and presently
aided to alight a very solemn-looking civilian, shaved, dressed and
groomed with extreme care, but for pallor and nervousness, a
reputable-looking criminal--Case. Accused with assault with attempt to
kill, the bookkeeper, none the less, had been taken in charge by
officers of the army, with the entire consent of the officers of the
law, and Sanchez the elder, Jose, that is, weakened at the sight of
him. He was sober and clothed in his right mind, as Wickham meant he
should be. Moreover, he looked no longer afraid. Case had met his
master at the game of bluff, and now, with nothing left to hope, had
nothing left to dread.

Short work the sheriff made of the matter in hand. There had been a
killing down on the Agua Fria, and the killer was still at large. Here
was only a bungling attempt to kill, and everybody concerned was at
hand.

"Case," said he shortly, "when you were brought here you swore it was
'Tonio who shot Lieutenant Willett."

"I didn't swear," said Case. "I stated; but either would have been
wrong. I said it when myself accused and when I had been drinking. I am
ready to tell everything I know."

"Then wait a moment," answered the official, turning to a deputy, who
pu