risk:
assuming that his calculations were correct, _x_ must equal Bransford.
So he said carelessly: "Let's see, Bransford went as a sailor, didn't
he? _Un marinero?_"

"Oh, no; he was atir-re' lak one--_que cosa_?--what you call thees
theeng?--_un balon para jugar con los pies_? Ah! si, si!--one feetball!
Myself I come soon back. I have no beesness. The bes' people ees all for
the dance," said Monte, with hand turned up and shrugging shoulder.
"So, _media noche_--twelve of the clock, I am here back. I fin' here the
hor-rse of my frien', and one _carta_--letter--that I am not to lock the
door; _porque_ he may come to esleep. So I am mek to r-repose myself.
Later I am ar-rouse when my frien' am to r-retir-re heemself. Ah, _que
hombre_! I am yet to esmile to see heem in thees so r-redeeculous
_vestidos_! He ees ver' gay. Ah! _que_ Jeff! Een all ways thees ees a
man ver' _sufficiente_, cour-rageous, es-trong, formidabble! Yet he ees
keep the _disposicion_, the hear-rt, of a seemple leetle chil'--_un
muchacho_!"

"I'll come again," said Billy, and passed on. He had found out what he
had come for. The absence of concealment dispelled any lingering doubt
of Jeff Buttinski. Yet he could establish no alibi by Monte.

Perhaps Billy White may require here a little explanation. All things
considered, Billy thought Jeff would be better off in jail, with a
friend in the opposite camp working for his interest, than getting
himself foolishly killed by a hasty posse. If we are cynical, we may say
that, being young, Billy was not averse to the role of _deus ex
machina_; perhaps a thought of friendly gratitude was not lacking. Then,
too, adventure for adventure's sake is motive enough--in youth. Or, as a
final self-revelation, we may hint that if Jeff was a rival, so too was
Lake--and one more eligible. Let us not be cynical, however, or
cowardly. Let us say at once shamelessly what we very well know--that
youth is the season for clean honor and high emprise; that boy's love is
best and truest of all; that poor, honest Billy, in his own dogged and
fantastic way, but sought to give true service where he--loved. There,
we have said it; and we are shamed. How old are you, sir? Forty? Fifty?
Most actions are the result of mixed motives, you say? Well, that is a
notable concession--at your age. Let it go at that. Billy, then, acted
from mixed motives.

When Billy brought back his motives--and the sheriff--Monte still held
his negligent at