out of New York."

"And permit this friend of yours, who committed the crime, to go free?"

"My friend did not commit the crime!" threateningly.

"Oh, yes he did! Who is your friend--yourself?"

Big Bob lifted a hand as if to strike the boy, but he changed his mind,
or got control of his temper, and lowered it again.

"At least," Fremont said, "you know who did commit the crime. That is
something."

The big fellow grumbled out some sarcastic reply and trudged ahead.
Fremont, knowing that a valuable point had been gained, hastened along
by his side.

"And, with my false confession in your pocket," the boy went on, "you
would find it convenient to leave me out there under the sand?"

"You're a plucky cub to talk like that to me."

Big Bob was in a great rage, but he did not lift his heavy hand again.

"I was wondering if your friend would pay for leaving me out there,"
the boy said. "If I went back to New York, you know, I might deny the
confession, or claim that it was secured under duress. You know what a
confession is worth when secured under duress? What about it?"

"You're a fool!" shouted Big Bob so loudly that the others turned
inquisitive faces toward him. "That was only a joke, that about my
friend. I wanted to see what you would say if I asked you to confess,
and then when you asked why I wanted a confession I gave you the first
reason that came into my head. So shut up about it."

"Sure," said Fremont, "after you give me the real reason you asked for
a confession."

Big Bob saw that he had made a mistake in talking with the shrewd
youngster, and decided to get out of it the best way he could.

"All right! I'll tell you," he said. "A reward will be paid right
down on the nail when a confession is filed with the prisoner. Now you
know all about it!"

"Your imagination is working all right to-day," Fremont laughed. "The
last explanation is more foolish than the first. You knew very well
that the payment of the reward would follow conviction, and you know
that I am innocent."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you know who the real criminal is."

"That is not true!" thundered the other. "Now, I've had enough of
this. You mog along and keep your mouth shut or it will be the worse
for you."

Fremont knew very well that Big Bob was considering a desperate means
of retrieving the error he had made in speaking of a friend who might
be accused of the crime. The boy was afraid that he h