outfit."

"How? They own the law, don't they?"

"They don't own the United States Government. When they held up a
mail-train they did a fool thing, for they bucked up against Uncle
Sam. What I propose is that we get hold of one of the gang and make him
weaken. Then, after we have got hold of some evidence that will convict,
we'll go out and run down my namesake Ned Bannister. If people once get
the idea that his hold isn't so strong there's a hundred people that
will testify against him. We'll have him in a Government prison inside
of six months."

"Or else he'll have us in a hole in the ground," added the foreman,
dryly.

"One or the other," admitted Bannister. "Are y'u in on this thing?"

"I surely am. Y'u're the best man I've met up with in a month of
Sundays, seh. Y'u ain't got but one fault; and that is y'u don't smoke
cigareets. Feed yourself about a dozen a day and y'u won't have a blamed
trouble left. Match, seh?" The foreman of the Lazy D, already following
his own advice, rolled deftly his smoke, moistened it and proceeded to
blow away his troubles.

Bannister looked at his debonair insouciance and laughed. "Water off a
duck's back," he quoted. "I know some folks that would be sweating fear
right now. It's ce'tainly an aggravating situation, that of being an
honest man hunted as a villain by a villain. But I expaict my cousin's
enjoying it."

"He ain't enjoying it so much as he would if his plans had worked out a
little smoother. He's holding the sack right now and cussing right smaht
over it being empty, I reckon."

"He did lock the stable door a little too late," chuckled the sheepman.
But even as he spoke a shadow fell over his face. "My God! I had
forgotten. Y'u don't suppose he would take it out of Miss Messiter."

"Not unless he's tired of living," returned her foreman, darkly. "One
thing, this country won't stand for is that. He's got to keep his hands
off women or he loses out. He dassent lay a hand on them if they don't
want him to. That's the law of the plains, isn't it?"

"That's the unwritten law for the bad man, but I notice it doesn't seem
to satisfy y'u, my friend. Y'u and I know that my cousin, Ned Bannister,
doesn't acknowledge any law, written or unwritten. He's a devil and he
has no fear. Didn't he kidnap her before?"

"He surely would never dare touch those young ladies. But--I don't know.
Bann, I guess we better roll along toward the Lazy D country, after
all."

"I think s