ard, and, with almost incredible
rapidity, whipping out a revolver.

His face was white, and had as suddenly assumed an expression in which
fear and determination were equally present.

"No, you don't!" he said slowly and coldly. "You don't get me that way.
I'm not as easy as that."

Ted had made no move to draw his revolver, and was smiling in an amused
sort of way.

"I'm sure I don't want you," he said.

"You're a deputy United States marshal, aren't you?"

"I am, but I'm not after you."

"Then you haven't heard?"

"Nothing about you recently. When I was in this part of the country
before I heard----"

"Oh, you can always hear a lot about a fellow in this rotten part of the
world--except the truth. Then you haven't heard the latest news from
Rodeo?"

"Not a word."

"And you don't want to arrest me?"

"Not now. I wouldn't know what to arrest you for, and I haven't seen a
United States warrant for months."

"I believe I can trust you. You seem to be a square chap, in spite of
what I've heard of you. But I want to tell you one thing: I've got eyes
in the back of my head, and there isn't a quicker man on the draw in
Arizona, so no monkey business. This is not a boast, but a warning."

"I have nothing against you now," said Ted quietly; "but if I ever have,
you'll know it, and have your chance. But I don't see any use in
standing here in the sun palavering. Let's hike to the house yonder.
I've been riding since daybreak without a drink, and I'd like to sample
the major's famous Bubbly Well."

Farnsworth looked sharply at Ted for a moment, then replaced his
revolver, and signaled to lead the way.

They rode in silence along the trail toward the ranch house for several
minutes.

"How shall I introduce you to the major--as Farnsworth?" asked Ted, at
last.

Farnsworth paused to think before replying.

"I think not," he said at last. "If I am to stay there for the night,
there may as well be no unpleasant feeling. Call me anything you like
but that, and I will fall in with it. They may know something about me,
and, while I would be safe while Major Caruthers considered me a guest,
still, it might cause some restraint."

"Probably you are right. How will Mr. Dickson do?"

"As good as any. Say, Strong, you're a brick! I won't forget this."

"This is a sort of truce. Anyway, it's Christmas, and a fellow should
put away malice at such a time."

"Have you malice toward me?"

"No, I can't say that I