ome at a bad time for my
affairs. You saw that big show at the old house half way down the
road? That crowd is made up of my workmen, who are being entertained
with free whiskey, and there's no telling but what they may come here
to tear things up. The whiskey is furnished by Vorse, I suspect, and
is being served at Vorse's place. Your warrant is inspired by Vorse
and others, isn't it? The two circumstances coming at the same moment,
the free drunk and my arrest, look fishy to me. What do you think? I'm
in charge of a property here representing a good deal of money and I
should hate to be absent if the men took the idea into their heads to
turn the camp upside down, especially if the idea was inspired by
Vorse and his friends."

"I haven't served the warrant yet," Madden replied.

"And you know that I'm not going to skip the country at the prospect
of your serving it?"

"No. There's no hurry; I'll just sit around for a while. And
understand, Weir, this arrest is none of my doings, except officially.
I take no stock in the yarn about your having attacked the greaser you
killed. Martinez' and Miss Janet's testimony at the inquest satisfied
me in that respect."

Mr. Pollock now drew Weir aside for a whispered conference. When they
rejoined the others the engineer made the lawyer acquainted with the
sheriff.

"Mr. Weir has agreed to my suggestion to take you into our confidence,
Mr. Madden," he stated. "There may be other warrants for you to serve
soon, and I'm sure you will respect what we reveal. All of us here
except you know the facts I'm about to relate; indeed, have shared in
them to an extent; and in addition to our word we'll present proof.
You know Dr. Hosmer and his daughter certainly, you probably know Mr.
Johnson and the young lady with him, and are aware whether their
statements are to be relied on."

"They are," Madden answered, without hesitation.

"You're already convinced of the truth of Weir's innocence in the
charge of murder now being preferred against him. Well, now, a friend
at court is worth something; and we propose to make you that friend."

"I'm not against him like most of the town, anyway," was the sheriff's
answer.

"Go ahead with your explanation," Pollock said to the engineer.

Thereupon Weir briefly sketched out events for the officer as they had
occurred and as showing the motives which had inspired his enemies in
seeking to destroy him:--the original plot against his father, hi