lled at an inner door, and said, "This way, gentlemen," whereat
everybody filed out into the corral where there was far more room, and
where presently they were joined by the agent and his interpreter, by a
little group of officers, Stannard, Strong and Willett--the latter very
pale and weary-looking. A moment later the gateway swung open and in
walked Harris, with 'Tonio by his side and two tribesmen following. The
gate was quickly closed in the face of an eager knot of townspeople,
but at sight of the assembled party the Sanchez brothers cowered still
farther back beneath the shelter, and the sheriff ordered Jose out into
the light. He came, yellow-white, and cringing.

"You said, first, that 'Tonio shot that man," and the sheriff pointed
to Willett. "Did you lie?"

"_Si_," gulped the Mexican.

"Then who did it?"

Jose shrank. His eyes furtively, quickly swept the group, then fell
again.

"You said Case--this man," said the sheriff, with a hand on Case's
shoulder. "Did you lie again?"

"He--he shoot, an' run away."

"You lie, three times! Only one shot was fired and that from your own
pistol. Here it is! Case never had it, for all you swore to it."

"Munoz saw him--shoot!"

"That so, Munoz? Come out here!" and a deputy collared and thrust him
forth.

"_Si_; Case," answered Munoz miserably.

And then at last the dago broke bounds. All the pent-up hatred of the
months boiled over in his heart. All the fear vanished in presence of
these supporters and at sight of these now abject bullies. Out he
sprang, all vehement denunciation:

"Lie!" said he--"damn lie! Munoz hit!--Sanchez shoot! All try kill.
Then run--run, for soldiers come!"

It was then that Lieutenant Willett stepped forward and interposed.

"Mr. Sheriff," said he, "whatever my earlier opinion on the subject, I
know more now. I know it was not 'Tonio. I believe it was not
this--this gentleman--Mr. Case. If you will favor me a moment I can
make it clear to you, but"--and here the heavily lashed, mournful brown
eyes sought the group of Mexicans--"I should hold--those fellows."

And so, once more within the little office, Willett briefly told his
tale. There were present Wickham, Bright and Harris, the sheriff and
one deputy. "I should be glad to have you call in Mr. Case," said he.
So Case was summoned and came and took a chair by the chimney and bowed
his head upon his hands.

"There had been a card transaction," said Willett. "I owed Mr. Cas