were now moving leisurely on
toward the ford. "Suppose we quit questions and answers that serve no
particular purpose, sheriff. I have been waiting to see you."

"So I figured," observed the other, imperturbably, "or you wouldn't
have answered my questions so amiably. Well?"

The sheriff permitted himself a sort of wintry smile, while his
watchful eyes wandered interestedly over the surrounding bush.

"There are things doing about this country," Tresler began a little
lamely. "You've possibly heard?"

"Things are generally doing in a cattle country where brands are
easily changed and there is no official to inquire who has changed
them."

Fyles glanced admiringly down at Lady Jezebel's beautiful clean legs.

"This Red Mask?" Tresler asked.

"Exactly."

"You've heard the story of his latest escapade? The murder of Manson
Orr?"

"From Mr. Marbolt--and others. In telling me, the blind man offered
five thousand dollars' reward for the capture of the man."

"That's better than I hoped for," replied Tresler, musingly. "You
see," he went on, "the blind man's something cantankerous. He's lost
cattle himself, but when some of the boys offered to hunt Red Mask
down, he treated them with scant courtesy--in fact, threatened to
discharge any man who left the ranch on that quest."

"I found him amiable."

"You would." Tresler paused. This man was difficult to talk to, and he
wanted to say so much. Suddenly he turned and faced him, and, to his
chagrin, discovered that the other was still intent on the mare he was
riding. His eyes were fixed on the lady's shoulder, where the
indistinct marks of the brand were still visible. "You see, sergeant,"
he went on, ignoring the other's abstraction, "I have a story to tell
you, which, in your official capacity, you may find interesting. In
the light of recent events, I, at any rate, find it interesting. It
has set me thinking a heap."

"Go ahead," said the officer, without even so much as raising his
eyes. Tresler followed the direction of his gaze, but could see
nothing more interesting in his mare's fore-quarters than their
perfect shape. However, there was no alternative but to proceed with
his narrative. And he told the sheriff of the visit of the
night-riders which he had witnessed on the night of his arrival at the
ranch. In spite of the other's apparent abstraction, he told the story
carefully and faithfully, and his closing remarks were well pointed
and displayed a clos