o hesitation in answering: "Because he come to skin us out
of this place, gol darn him!" And then, as if to save his skin, he pushed
his chair far into the alcove, and, from this vantage point, watched to see
what Hardy would do and say. He was aware that he had gotten him in a
devilish stew. It served him right. He was a robber, a thief, and he didn't
care what became of him. If Lopez took him out and had him shot at once he
wouldn't have felt a qualm.

The bandit weighed what Smith had said; then he spoke directly to Hardy.
"Zis is so? Zis is true?"

"No." The monosyllable was more emphatic than any long explanation could
have been. A scowl on his brow, Hardy came close to Lopez, fearlessly. "I
came to foreclose a mortgage I hold on this place. That is all."

But Uncle Henry was not going to see him get away with that. "Tell him why
you want this ranch so bad!" he yelled. "I dare you!"

Pell now stepped forward. Their predicament was bad enough as it was,
without having this old imbecile make it worse. "Keep still, you fool! Do
you want to get us into more trouble?"

"I certainly do," cried Uncle Henry, "an', gol darn it, I'm a-goin' to! Rob
me of ten thousand dollars, will you?"

Lopez was listening with both ears; and a glint came into his eyes, "Zat is
true?" he inquired, interested anew. "He has rob you of ten sousand
dollars? Eh--heh--a good beeg sum!"

"Ask him!" Uncle Henry said. "An' I only hope to thunder he tells a lie!"
His voice went up on a high key.

The bandit looked keenly at Morgan Pell. "Did you?" There was no reply.
"You hear me--you will answer--at once!"

"No." Morgan Pell shot out the word, and clenched his fists. The situation
was becoming hot. This old fellow would have them all dead in a few moments
if he didn't keep his mouth shut.

A look of triumph came into Uncle Henry's eyes. "There's your big chance!"
he shouted to Lopez. "Shoot him quick!"

But Pell said calmly: "I paid twenty thousand dollars for an option on the
place."

"Yes, but you didn't give me the money!" Uncle Henry insisted.

"I was going to," the other replied, not even casting a glance over his
shoulder.

Old man Smith turned to Lopez. "Oh! You didn't shoot quick enough! I got it
now! Ask him why he wants the place! Maybe he'll tell another one!" And he
tittered with glee.

Lopez put the question to Pell.

"I--I--" the latter stammered; but could get no farther.

Uncle Henry was gleeful now. "Get ready!"