less men Wade had
rubbed elbows with in the eventful past. It had been Wade's idea that
Jack would be satisfied to face his father with the accusation of Moore,
and thus cover his tracks. Whatever Old Belllounds might have felt over
the loss of a few cattle, he would never have hounded and arrested a
cowboy who had done well by him. Burley, however, was a sheriff, and a
conscientious one, and he happened to be particularly set
against rustlers.

Here was a complication of circumstances. What would Jack Belllounds
insist upon? How would Columbine take this plot against the honor and
liberty of Wilson Moore? How would Moore himself react to it? Wade
confessed that he was helpless to solve these queries, and there seemed
to be a further one, insistent and gathering--what was to be his own
attitude here? That could not be answered, either, because only a future
moment, over which he had no control, and which must decide events, held
that secret. Worry beset Wade, but he still found himself proof against
the insidious gloom ever hovering near, like his shadow.

He waited near the trail to intercept Billings and Moore on their way to
the ranch-house; and to his surprise they appeared sooner than it would
have been reasonable to expect them. Wade stepped out of the willows and
held up his hand. He did not see anything unusual in Moore's appearance.

"Wils, I reckon we'd do well to talk this over," said Wade.

"Talk what over?" queried the cowboy, sharply.

[Illustration: "Jack Belllounds!" she cried. "You put the sheriff on
that trail!"]

"Why, Old Bill's sendin' for you, an' the fact of Sheriff Burley bein'
here."

"Talk nothing. Let's see what they want, and then talk. Pard, you
remember the agreement we made not long ago?"

"Sure. But I'm sort of worried, an' maybe--"

"You needn't worry about me. Come on," interrupted Moore. "I'd like you
to be there. And, Lem, fetch the boys."

"I shore will, an' if you need any backin' you'll git it."

When they reached the open Lem turned off toward the corrals, and Wade
walked beside Moore's horse up to the house.

Belllounds appeared at the door, evidently having heard the sound of
hoofs.

"Hello, Moore! Get down an' come in," he said, gruffly.

"Belllounds, if it's all the same to you I'll take mine in the open,"
replied the cowboy, coolly.

The rancher looked troubled. He did not have the ease and force habitual
to him in big moments.

"Come out hyar, you men,"