night,
'Tis not forgiving the rustlers are, and Courthorne's the divil," he
said. "But listen now, Sergeant, I've told ye where he is, and if
ye're not fit to corral him I'll ride him down meself."

Sergeant Stimson wrinkled his forehead. "If anybody knows what they're
after, it should be you," he said, watching the man out of the corner
of his eyes. "Still, I'm a little worried as to why, when you'll get
nothing for it, you're anxious to serve the State."

The farmer clenched a big hand. "Sergeant, you that knows everything,
will ye drive me mad--an' to ---- with the State!" he said. "Sure,
it's gospel I'm telling ye, an', as you're knowing well, it's me could
tell where the boys who ride at midnight drop many a keg. Well, if ye
will have your reason, it was Courthorne who put the black shame on me
an' mine."

Sergeant Stimson nodded, for he had already suspected this.

"Then," he said dryly, "we'll give you a chance of helping us to put
the handcuffs on him. Now, because they wouldn't risk the bridge, and
the ice is not thick yet everywhere, there are just two ways they could
bring the stuff across, and I figure we'd be near the thing if we fixed
on Graham's Pool. Still, Courthorne's no kind of fool, and just
because that crossing seems the likeliest he might try the other one.
You're ready for duty, Trooper Payne?"

The lad stood straight. "I can turn out in ten minutes, sir," he said.

"Then," and Sergeant Stimson raised his voice a trifle, "you will ride
at once to the rise a league outside the settlement, and watch the
Montana trail. Courthorne will probably be coming over from Winston's
soon after you get there, riding the big black, and you'll keep out of
sight and follow him. If he heads for Carson's Crossing, ride for
Graham's at a gallop, where you'll find me with the rest. If he makes
for the bridge, you will overtake him if you can and find out what he's
after. It's quite likely he'll tell you nothing, and you will not
arrest him, but bearing in mind that every minute he spends there will
be a loss to the rustlers you'll keep him as long as you can. Trooper
Shannon, you'll ride at once to the bluff above Graham's Pool and watch
the trail. Stop any man who rides that way, and if it's Courthorne
keep him until the rest of the boys come up with me. You've got your
duty quite straight, both of you?"

The lads saluted, and went out, while the sergeant smiled a little as
he glanced at the