ws, Bob?"

"I can tell you that better after I know what it is," returned Hart with
a grin.

"The stage was held up at Cottonwood Bend and robbed of seventeen
thousand dollars. The driver was killed."

"When?"

"This mo'nin'. They tried to keep it quiet, but it leaked out."

"Whose money was it?"

"Brad Steelman's pay roll and a shipment of gold for the bank."

"Any idea who did it?"

Steve showed embarrassment. "Why, no, _I_ ain't, if that's what you
mean."

"Well, anybody else?"

"Tha's what I wanta tell you. Two men were in the job. They're whisperin'
that Em Crawford was one."

"Crawford! Some of Steelman's fine work in that rumor, I'll bet. He's
crazy if he thinks he can get away with that. Tha's plumb foolish talk.
What evidence does he claim?" demanded Hart.

"Em deposited ten thousand with the First National to pay off a note he
owed the bank. Rode into town right straight to the bank two hours after
the stage got in. Then, too, seems one of the hold-ups called the other
one Crawford."

"A plant," said Dave promptly.

"Looks like." Bob's voice was rich with sarcasm. "I don't reckon the
other one rose up on his hind laigs and said, 'I'm Bob Hart,' did he?"

"They claim the second man was Dave here."

"Hmp! What time d'you say this hold-up took place?"

"Must 'a' been about eleven."

"Lets Dave out. He was fifteen miles away, and we can prove it by at
least six witnesses."

"Good. I reckon Em can put in an alibi too."

"I'll bet he can." Hart promised this with conviction.

"Trouble is they say they've got witnesses to show Em was travelin'
toward the Bend half an hour before the hold-up. Art Johnson and Clem
Purdy met him while they was on their way to town."

"Was Crawford alone?"

"He was then. Yep."

"Any one might'a' been there. You might. I might. That don't prove a
thing."

"Hell, I know Em Crawford's not mixed up in any hold-up, let alone a
damned cowardly murder. You don't need to tell _me_ that. Point is that
evidence is pilin' up. Where did Em get the ten thousand to pay the bank?
Two days ago he was tryin' to increase the loan the First National had
made him."

Dave spoke. "I don't know where he got it, but unless he's a born
fool--and nobody ever claimed that of Crawford--he wouldn't take the
money straight to the bank after he had held up the stage and killed
the driver. That's a strong point in his favor."

"If he can show where he got the ten thousand," amended