he
barrel of the shotgun, and waited.

CHAPTER XXIX: A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK

The little marshal of Haskell had the reputation of being as quick of
wit as of trigger finger. Startled as he was by that sudden apparition
appearing before them in the dark road, and at being addressed by a
woman's voice, the mention of the name Cassady gave him an instant
clue. There was but one Cassady in camp, and that individual's
reputation was scarcely of a kind to recommend him in the eyes of the
law. If any woman sought that fellow in this out-of-the-way spot, it
was surely for no good purpose. Brennan caught his breath, these
thoughts flashing through his brain. He leaned forward over his saddle
horn, lowering his voice confidentially, and managing to achieve a
highly meritorious brogue.

"Sure, Oi'm Cassady," he admitted grouchily. "How iver come yer ter
guess thot?"

"I was sent here to meet you," she explained hurriedly, as though eager
to have her task done. "I thought maybe it wasn't you, with another
man along. Who is he?"

"His noime's Crowley; just a friend o' moine; mebbe yer know the lad?"

"No; certainly not. Does he go along with you?"

"Fer only a bit o' ther way"; he lowered his voice to even greater
intimacy. "Shure, it's a parfectly still tongue the b'y has in the
cheek o' him."

She laughed nervously.

"Well, I'm glad of that; and we'll not stand here discussing the
matter. Do you know who I am?"

"Divil a thought have Oi."

"You were expecting to meet Mr. Enright, weren't you? That was what
Bill Lacy told you. He was to explain to you just what you were to do."

Brennan mumbled something indistinctly, now thoroughly aroused to the
situation.

"Well, Mr. Enright couldn't come, and Lacy is over across the creek
yet, hunting down Ned Beaton's murderer. I am Miss La Rue," she
hurried on, almost breathlessly, "and I've brought you Lacy's note,
which you are to give to that Mexican--Pasqual Mendez. You understand?
You are to give it to him, and no one else. Lacy said you could kill
your horse, if necessary, but the note must be there by daylight
to-morrow. Here--take it."

Brennan thrust it into an inner pocket, and cleared his throat. There
was no small risk in asking questions, yet, unless he learned more,
this information might prove utterly useless. The note to Mendez meant
little until he discovered where that bandit was to be found. He felt
his flesh prickle in the inten