blouse and trousers. Duane collared him before any of the
others could move and held the gun close enough to make him shrink. But
he did not impress Duane as being frightened just then; nevertheless, he
had a clammy face, the pallid look of a man who had just gotten over a
shock. He peered into Duane's face, then into that of the cowboy next to
him, then into Lawson's, and if ever in Duane's life he beheld relief
it was then. That was all Duane needed to know, but he meant to find out
more if he could.

"Who're you?" asked Duane, quietly.

"Bo Snecker," he said.

"What'd you hide here for?"

He appeared to grow sullen.

"Reckoned I'd be as safe in Longstreth's as anywheres."

"Ranger, what'll you do with him?" Lawson queried, as if uncertain, now
the capture was made.

"I'll see to that," replied Duane, and he pushed Snecker in front of him
out into the court.

Duane had suddenly conceived the idea of taking Snecker before Mayor
Longstreth in the court.

When Duane arrived at the hall where court was held there were other men
there, a dozen or more, and all seemed excited; evidently, news of Duane
had preceded him. Longstreth sat at a table up on a platform. Near
him sat a thick-set grizzled man, with deep eyes, and this was Hanford
Owens, county judge. To the right stood a tall, angular, yellow-faced
fellow with a drooping sandy mustache. Conspicuous on his vest was a
huge silver shield. This was Gorsech, one of Longstreth's sheriffs.
There were four other men whom Duane knew by sight, several whose faces
were familiar, and half a dozen strangers, all dusty horsemen.

Longstreth pounded hard on the table to be heard. Mayor or not, he was
unable at once to quell the excitement. Gradually, however, it subsided,
and from the last few utterances before quiet was restored Duane
gathered that he had intruded upon some kind of a meeting in the hall.

"What'd you break in here for," demanded Longstreth.

"Isn't this the court? Aren't you the Mayor of Fairdale?" interrogated
Duane. His voice was clear and loud, almost piercing.

"Yes," replied Longstreth. Like flint he seemed, yet Duane felt his
intense interest.

"I've arrested a criminal," said Duane.

"Arrested a criminal!" ejaculated Longstreth. "You? Who're you?"

"I'm a ranger," replied Duane.

A significant silence ensued.

"I charge Snecker with assault on Laramie and attempted robbery--if not
murder. He's had a shady past here, as this court will