enemy laughed
contemptuously and turned on his heel.

Healy drew his confederate to one side of the room and held a whispered
talk with him. Apparently he did not greatly care whether his foe caught
the drift of it or not, for occasionally his voice lifted enough so that
scraps of sentences reached the man lounging on the bed.

"--close to two hundred head--by the Mimbres Pass--the boys are
ce'tainly pushing the drive--out of danger by midnight--wait for the
signal before you turn him loose----"

"So-long, Mr. Keller. I cayn't spare the time to stay longer with you,"
their owner jeered.

"Just a moment, Mr. Healy. I want to know why you are keeping me here."

The man grinned. "Am I keeping you here, seh? Looks to me like it was
Brad that's a-keeping you. Make a break for a getaway, and I'll not do a
thing to you. Course I cayn't promise what Brad won't do. He's such a
plumb anxious host."

"You're his brains. What you tell him to do he does. I hold you
responsible for this!"

"You don't say!"

"And right now I'll add, for all the devilment that has been going on in
these parts for years. You've about reached the end of your rope,
though."

"I'll bet dollars to doughnuts you reach the end of one inside of
forty-eight hours, Mr. Rustler," flashed back Healy.

And with an evil, significant grin he was gone. They heard the sound of
retreating hoofs die in the distance.

But his visit had told the prisoner two things. A hurried wholesale
drive of rustled cattle was being made across the line into Sonora, and
it was being done in such a way as to fasten the suspicion of it upon
the nester who had not appeared at the dance and had not been seen since
that time. The irony of the thing was superb in its audacity. Healy and
his friends would get the profit from the stolen cattle, and they would
visit the punishment for the crime upon him. Evidence would be cooked
up of course, and the retribution would be so swift that his friends
would not be able to save him. This time his enemy would take no
chances. He would be wiped out like a troublesome insect. The thing was
diabolic in the simplicity of its cleverness.

Keller watched his jailer now like a hawk. He was ready to take the
first chance that offered, no matter how slight a one it seemed. But the
man was vigilant and wary. He never let his hand wander a foot from the
handle of the weapon he carried.

Silently Irwin cooked a second meal. They sat down to it opp