with a silver bullet run outen a mould thet's done been
rubbed with willow-sprigs."

"Number Thirteen, in the event of need, hev ye got sich a bullet hyar?"

"Each one of us hes got one."

Once more the apparent head of the clan turned to the girl. "Woman,
air ye guilty or not guilty?"

"I reckon," suggested Alexander coolly, "ye'd better ask Number
Thirteen. He 'pears ter know 'most everything."

But the spokesman declined to be lured by frivolous taunt from his
vantage ground of solemnity. He turned his head and gravely inquired:
"Number Thirteen, how does ye det'armine ther guilt of a witch?"

"Ef a preacher comes nigh, she kain't help turnin' her back."

"I reckon we hain't skeercely got no preacher handy ter test her with,"
interrupted the master of ceremonies drily, and the other went on.

"Ef she stays hyar 'twell midnight a sperit in ther guise of a black
cat'll appear ter do her biddin'."

On the ground lay the saddle-bags and the rifle; as yet unmolested.
Before they had loosened the blindfold from her eyes she had been
subjected to the needless indignity of bound wrists and now she was
entirely helpless.

Her coat hung on her tattered during the struggle and her flannel shirt
had been rent until both garments sagged from her shoulders, leaving
bare the white curves of their flesh. The circle had fallen silent
again. It remained silent for a half hour, then the man who had acted
as chief inquisitor drew aside that other whom Alexander knew only as
Number Thirteen, and, apart, they conferred in lowered voices. In the
manner of these two, the captive recognized indications of anxiety.
Palpably some detail of their plans had gone awry and that miscarriage,
whatever its nature, was troubling their peace of mind. Had she
understood more fully it would likewise have troubled her.

The conventional and successful course of highway robbery runs in the
channel of a swift accomplishment and a rapid getaway. Yet this crew,
leaving the saddle-bags uninvestigated at their feet, were solemnly
playing out their farce at the expense of valuable time--time which
should have stood for miles put between themselves and pursuit.

Was the difficulty that of disposing of her? If so, she stood face to
face with a stark and grim extremity. Murder and concealment of a
lifeless body, here, would be easy enough. These men were desperadoes,
and if dire enough need pressed them they would not, she thought, balk
ove