've been saying--does Motoza fancy there won't be some
accounts to be squared with him afterwards?"

"You know what a cunning fellow he is. He wouldn't go through with the
job until he was guaranteed against any punishment for his part in it."

"The father of the younker would give the pledge, and he'd keep it, too,
if he's anything like his son. But what 'bout Hank Hazletine?"

"He would have to make the same promise--that is, I presume he would. It
might be, however, that Motoza would feel able to take care of himself,
so far as you are concerned. But we are talking blindly."

"Is there any other way to talk?"

"You say you were just about starting out to hunt up Motoza. You won't
be able to find him, for he'll keep out of your sight. Leave that part
of the business to me."

"What'll you do?"

"I'll explain the situation to him, and then come back and have another
talk with you."

"All right; you can't do it any too soon."

CHAPTER XVI.

WATCHING AND WATCHED.

Bill Tozer rose to his feet. The interview was over, and little remained
to be said between the two.

"Then, Hank, you'll leave matters with me till I see you again?"

"When will that be?"

The man stood a moment in thought.

"In order that there shall be no mistake, let us agree that I shall call
here to-morrow morning--twenty-four hours from now. How does that strike
you?"

"That will do."

"I can make it less time than that, if you wish it."

"That suits; it's a go; good-by."

"Good-by," and the visitor turned on his heel and strode across the
plateau, disappearing on the further margin, where he had first shown
himself.

Hank Hazletine stood looking after him as long as he was in sight. When
at last he vanished, an expression of scornful contempt darkened the
bearded face of the cowman, and he muttered:

"Bill Tozer, you think you're smart, but _I understand you_!"

In the interview which has just been recorded the visitor believed he
had outwitted the guide at every step, and yet exactly the reverse was
the fact. Hank Hazletine had pretended a stupidity which was not real.
He noted the contradictions in the declarations of Tozer the instant
they were made, but gave no evidence of it, his object being to draw out
the miscreant, in which purpose he succeeded perfectly.

The whole truth was manifest to the guide. Fred Greenwood had been
abducted not by Motoza alone, but by him and Bill Tozer. Beyond a doubt
the daring sch