n, and I told him I could go to the rescue at once,
for the sake of the family honor. I thought the old fool would throw
a fit, he was so enraged. So, good-bye to Nephew Stanley!"

"Look here, Mr. Oscar; that's no good, you know," remonstrated Pelman.
"What's the good of throwing Johnson into jail for five or ten days--or
perhaps only a fine? He may even have letters from Stan to some one else
in Vesper, some one influential; he may beat the case. He'll be out there
in no time, making you trouble. That old goat looks as if he might butt."

Mitchell smiled.

"That's only half my plan. The jailer is also one of your handy men. I'll
furnish you plenty of money for the Pooles and for the jailer--enough to
make it well worth their while. Contrive a faked rescue of Johnson. The
jailer can be found trussed up and gagged, to-morrow about midnight. Best
have only one of the Pooles in it; take Amos. He shall wear a mask and be
the bold rescuer; he shall open the cell door, whisper 'Mitchell' to
Johnson, and help him escape. Once out, without taking off his mask, Amos
can hide Johnson somewhere. I leave you to perfect these details. Then,
after discarding his mask, Poole can give the alarm. It is immaterial
whether he rouses the undersheriff or finds a policeman; but he is to
give information that he has just seen Johnson at liberty, skulking near
such-and-such a place. Such information, from a man so recently the
victim of a wanton assault at Johnson's hands, will seem a natural act."

"Mr. Mitchell, you're a wonder!" declared Joey in a fine heat of
admiration. As the lawyer unfolded his plan the partner-clerk, as a
devotee of cunning, found himself convicted of comparative unworth; with
every sentence he deported himself less like Pelman the partner, shrank
more and more to Joey the devil clerk. "The first part of your programme
sounded like amateur stuff; but the second number is a scream. Any
mistreated guy would fall for that. I would, myself. He'll be up against
it for jail-breaking, conspiracy, assaulting an officer, using deadly
weapons--and the best is, he will actually be guilty and have no kick
coming! Look what a head that is of yours! Even if he should escape
rearrest here, it will be a case for extradition. If he goes back to
Arizona, he will be nabbed; our worthy sheriff will be furious at the
insult to his authority and will make every effort to gather Mr. Johnson
in. Either way you have Johnson off your shoulder