had followed horse tracks from the
water-hole under Gore Peak to the scene of the fight, and had arrived to
find Lewis there. Burley had appropriated the considerable amount of
gold, which he said could be identified by cattlemen who had bought the
stolen cattle.

When opportunity afforded Burley took advantage of it to speak to Wade
when the others were out of earshot.

"Thar was another man in thet cabin when the fight come off," announced
the sheriff. "An' he come up hyar with you."

"Jim, you're locoed," replied Wade.

The sheriff laughed, and his shrewd eyes had a kindly, curious gleam.

"Next you'll be givin' me a hunch thet you're in a fever an' out of your
head."

"Jim, I'm not as clear-headed as I might be."

"Wal, tell me or not, jest as you like. I seen his tracks--follered
them. An' Wade, old pard, I've reckoned long ago thar's a nigger in the
wood-pile."

"Sure. An' you know me. I'd take it friendly of you to put Moore's trial
off fer a while--till I'm able to ride to Krernmlin'. Maybe then I can
tell you a story."

Burley threw up his hands in genuine apprehension. "Not much! You ain't
agoin' to tell _me_ no story!... But I'll wait on you, an' welcome.
Reckon I owe you a good deal on this rustler round-up. Wade, thet must
have been a man-sized fight, even fer you. I picked up twenty-six empty
shells. An' the little half-breed had one empty shell an' five loaded
ones in his gun. You must have got him quick. Hey?"

"Jim, I'm observin' you're a heap more curious than ever, an' you always
was an inquisitive cuss," complained Wade. "I don't recollect what
happened."

"Wal, wal, have it your own way," replied Burley, with good nature.
"Now, Wade, I'll pitch camp hyar in the park to-night, an' to-morrer
I'll ride down to White Slides on my way to Kremmlin'. What're you
wantin' me to tell Belllounds?"

The hunter pondered a moment.

"Reckon it's just as well that you tell him somethin'.... You can say
the rustlers are done for an' that he'll get his stock back. I'd like
you to tell him that the rustlers were more to blame than Wils Moore.
Just say that an' nothin' else about Wils. Don't mention about your
suspectin' there was another man around when the fight come off.... Tell
the cowboys that I'll be down in a few days. An' if you happen to get a
chance for a word alone with Miss Collie, just say I'm not bad hurt an'
that all will be well."

"Ahuh!" Burley grunted out the familiar exclamation.