not being no gospel sharp I can't just say whar ol'
Mendez is. What's left ov his body is in thet cabin yonder, so full o'
buckshot it ought ter weigh a ton."

"Dead?"

"As a door nail, if yer ask me. It was some nice ov yer ter come
ridin' long here ter-night, Lacy. It sorter helps me ter make a good,
decent clean-up ov this whole measly outfit. I reckon I'll stow yer
away, along with them others. Mosey up them steps there, an' don't
take no chances lookin' back."

"I'll get you for this, Brennan."

"Not if the Circuit Court ain't gone out o' business, you won't. I've
got yer cinched an' hog tied--here now; get in thar."

He opened the door just wide enough for Lacy to pass, holding it with
one hand, his revolver ready and eager in the other.

A single lamp lit the room dingily, revealing the Mexicans bunched on
the farther side, a number of them lying down. Moore sat on a stool
beside the door, a rifle in the hollow of his arm. He rose up as the
door opened, and grinned at sight of Lacy's face.

"Well, I'll be dinged," he said. "What have we got here?"

Brennan thrust his new prisoner forward.

"Another one of yer ol' pals, Matt. You two ought ter have a lot ter
talk over, an' thar's six hours yet till daylight."

The little marshal drew back, and closed the door. He heard the echo
of an oath, or two, within as he turned the key in the lock. Then he
straightened up and laughed, slapping his knee with his hand.

"Well," he said at last, soberly. "I reckon my place will be about
yere till sun-up; thar might be some more critters like that
gallivantin' round in these parts--I hope Matt's enjoyin' himself."

CHAPTER XXXIII: THE REAL MR. CAVENDISH

It was a hard, slow journey back across the desert. Moore's team and
wagon were requisitioned for the purpose, but Matt himself remained
behind to help Brennan with the prisoners and cattle, until the party
returning to Haskell could send them help.

Westcott drove, with Miss Donovan perched beside him on the
spring-seat, and Cavendish lying on a pile of blankets beneath the
shadow of the canvas top. It became exceedingly hot as the sun mounted
into the sky, and once they encountered a sand storm, which so blinded
horses and driver, they were compelled to halt and turn aside from its
fury for nearly an hour. The wounded man must have suffered, yet made
no complaint. Indeed he seemed almost cheerful, and so deeply
interested in the strange