ardly. "Excuse me, mom, but, as I was goin' on to say in
reference of any remarks I might of passed previous, I found out
subsequent I didn't mean what I was sayin', which I misunderstood
myself complete. But as I was goin' on to say, mom, the State of
Montany might need you fer a witness in this here felonious trial, so
if you'll be so kind an' go to the _ho_tel along of Tex here whom he's
the party I've tolled off fer to guard you, an' don't stand no monkey
business neither. What I mean is," he hastened to add, catching a
glance from the Texan's eye, "don't be afraid to ask fer soap or towels
if there hain't none in yer room, an' if yer cold holler fer an extry
blanket er two. The State's a-payin' fer it, an' yer board, too, an'
if they don't fill you up every meal you set up a yell an' I'll see 't
they do." The deputy turned abruptly away and addressed the cowboys:
"Come on, boys, let's git this character under lock an' key so I kin
breathe easier."

Even Endicott joined in the laugh that greeted the man's words and,
detaining a cowpuncher to ride on either side of the prisoner, the
officer solemnly led the way toward town.

CHAPTER VIII

ONE WAY OUT

As the horses traversed the two miles of winding trail, Alice Marcum
glanced from time to time at the Texan who rode silently at her side.
The man's face was grave and he seemed entirely oblivious to her
presence. Only once did she venture to speak to him.

"I suppose I ought to thank you, Mr.----"

"Tex'll do," supplied the man, without even the courtesy of a glance.

"--for the very changed attitude of the sheriff, and for the fact that
I am to be lodged in the hotel instead of the jail."

The girl thought the Texan's lips drew into their peculiar smile, but
he gave no further evidence of having heard and rode on in silence,
with his attention apparently fixed upon the tips of his horse's ears.
At the edge of town the crowd, with Endicott in its midst, swerved
toward the railroad and the girl found herself alone with her jailer.
She drew up her horse sharply and glanced back toward the prisoner.

"This way," said a voice close beside her; "we'll go to the hotel, I
guess there's enough of 'em to see that the pilgrim gets locked up
safe."

"But I--I want to speak to him. To tell him----"

"Never mind what you want to tell him. It'll keep, I reckon."

At the door of the wooden hotel the cowpuncher swung from his horse.
"You wait here a minute