would have dropped the sheriff in his tracks;
as it was, they fell harmless against the law officer's person.

"Things have changed sort of sudden, haven't they, Burkhardt?" Madden
stated, sardonically. "Never can tell what's going to happen between
supper and breakfast. Here I go out to serve a warrant on Weir, and
instead I'm bringing you in for trying a low I.W.W. trick. Surprising
cards a fellow sometimes gets on the draw." With which he went back to
the other car.

Counting on quickness for the safe delivery of his men in jail, Madden
did not attempt to approach the court house by a side street. On the
contrary he drove fast down the main way, with the other two cars
following close, passing without pause through the crowd of Mexicans
drawn forth in wonder at the booming report of the explosion that had
sounded from the dam.

One could see that excitement was at a high pitch. With the rumors
that all day had been in circulation, with later vague tales of the
great debauch proceeding at the old 'dobe house half way up the road
to camp, with the thunder-clap that had burst from the base of the
mountains coming on top of all, every man, woman and child had run to
the main street, where those in the automobiles could see by wagging
tongues and gesticulating hands that speculation was rife and
curiosity afire.

"The talk this evening when I set out for your camp was that I
expected to bring you in and hang you," Madden said dryly, to the
engineer. "Quite a crowd had come to town. Plain to see now that
Burkhardt and his bunch had started the talk. I shouldn't be surprised
if there had been trouble had I arrested and locked you up. There are
a few bad Mexicans around these parts that would do anything for
money, and it's evident from what's happened that Sorenson's gang was
ready to go the limit. What I'm trying to figure out is where these
fellows Burkhardt had with him up yonder came from."

"I can tell you. From across the line. I've seen plenty just like them
down there," Weir affirmed. "Look at their hats and clothes--but
you'll be able to make them talk after a while. However, you won't
find any of them speaking English. Offer one of them some money and a
trip home and he'll give you the story quick enough, especially after
you've thrown a scare into him. We can afford to let one go to get the
facts."

"You better keep out of sight after we have the men in the jail. Slip
behind the jail to the rear of the ya