thievin' from th'
army."

"I'd like to know what proof he has," Drew returned sharply. "Your patrol
picked me up well away from those horses--in the mustanger camp where I was
workin'--and Captain Bayliss can't prove that's not true, either. Anyway,
what difference does it make to you, Sergeant?"

"Since you ask, I don't rightly know, kid. Maybe you was spoilin' for a
fight in th' Jacks an' did push our boys--"

"But you don't think so, Sergeant." Drew put the plate on the bunk and
stood up to approach the bars. Muller was the taller; the Kentuckian had
to raise his eyes to meet the sergeant's. The trooper's face was mostly in
the shadow, but it was plain the man did not mean him any ill.

"I got m' reasons." Muller did not make any straighter answer. "But you
think o' what th' cap'n does know about you, kid. You go ridin' 'round
with gold on you--more money than any drifter ever sees in ten years or
more. You're caught near where some stolen army stock is stashed away, an'
your partner lights out hell-for-leather, breaking through army lines. An'
we only got your story as to who you really are. I ask you--does that read
good in the lieutenant's report when th' cap'n gets it?"

"No," Drew answered. "But what do you suggest doin' about it, Sergeant?"

"Got anybody in town as will speak up for you, Kirby? Reese Topham? He did
before."

"He doesn't know any more than what he said right then. Trouble is,
Sergeant, anybody I could ask to back me up I'd have to bring out from
Kentucky--and I don't believe Captain Bayliss would wait for that."

"You work for Rennie, don't you?"

"Hunt Rennie has nothing to do with this. He didn't know those horses were
on the Range----"

"Because you put them there, Kirby?"

Muller made a lightning about-face. He snapped to attention facing the
captain.

"And what are you doing here, Sergeant?"

"Prisoner bein' fed, sir!" Muller reported stolidly.

"And there is no need for conversation. Dismissed, Sergeant!"

The captain watched Muller leave before he turned once more to Drew.
"Kirby, do you know the penalty for horse stealing in this country?" he
snapped.

"Yes."

"Then you must know just what you have to face."

"Captain ..." Drew began slowly, wanting to make his words just right.
There was no reason to let Bayliss think he could simply ride right over
his prisoner. On the other hand Muller's advice had been good; it would be
dangerous to antagonize the officer. "I h