I've
got a fool notion just the same that I do know one of them. Come with me
to Harrison's room."

"But--"

"I'll do all the talking. Come along."

"Now, see here, Yeager. Just because you and Harrison are at outs--"

"Have I made any charges against him? Maybe I want to ask his advice.
Maybe he could help us straighten out this thing. Got to pull together,
haven't we?" A cynical light in the eyes of the young man contradicted
his words.

Reluctantly the director followed the extra to the room of the heavy on
the third floor. Yeager knocked. He rapped again, and a third time.

Drowsily a voice demanded what was wanted. Presently the door was flung
open and Harrison stood blinking in the doorway, heavy-eyed and
slumberous.

"What's the row?" he growled, scowling at Yeager.

"We were held up on the way from Yarnell's by rustlers. They drove the
cattle away and left us tied up."

"That any reason why you should wake me in the middle of the night? I
ain't got your cattle under the bed." The heavy jaw of the prizefighter
stood out saliently. Unconsciously his figure had drooped to the crouch
of defense. His small black eyes were wary and defiant.

The cowpuncher laughed, lightly and easily. "I'm only a kid. Mr.
Threewit comes from the East and don't know anything about this
rustling game. We thought of you right away."

"What do you mean you thought of me?"

Yeager's eyes were innocent and steady. "Why, o' course we came to you
for advice--to ask you what we'd better do."

"Oh! That's it, eh?" Was there the faintest flitter of relief on the
lowering face? Steve could not be sure. "Well, I'll dress and join you
downstairs, Mr. Threewit. With you in a minute."

"We got no time to lose. Mind if we talk here, Harrison?" Without
waiting for permission the extra pushed into the room and began his
story. "Must 'a' been about six miles back that we threw off the trail
and camped. I figured on getting in early in the forenoon. Well, I was
night-herding when I got orders to punch a hole in the atmosphere with
my fists. I didn't do a thing but reach for the sky. A big masked guy
come out from the mesquite and helped himself to my gun. Then he tied me
up."

"Would you know him again if you saw him?" interrupted the prizefighter
harshly.

The gaze of Yeager met his blandly. There was the least possible pause,
and with it a certain tension. The younger man smiled. "Why, how could
I, seeing he was masked? He was a b