through some queer
trick of memory, Boca's face was visioned to him and his thoughts were
of the desert, of men and horses and a far sky-line. "I got to get out
of here," he told himself sleepily. And he wondered if he would ever
see Doris Gray again after he left the hospital.

CHAPTER XXXIX

A PUZZLE GAME

Dr. Andover, brisk and professionally cheerful, was telling Pete that
so far as he was concerned he could not do anything more for him,
except to advise him to be careful about lifting or straining--to take
it easy for at least a month--and to do no hard riding until the
incision was thoroughly healed. "You'll know when you are really fit,"
he said, smiling, "because your back will tell you better than I can.
You're a mighty fortunate young man!"

"You sure fixed me up fine, Doc. You was sayin' I could leave here
next week?"

"Yes, if you keep on improving--and I can't see why you should not.
And I don't have to tell you to thank Miss Gray for what she has done
for you. If it hadn't been for her, my boy, I doubt that you would be
here!"

"She sure is one jim-dandy nurse."

"She is more than that, young man." Andover cleared his throat.
"There's one little matter that I thought best not to mention until you
were--pretty well out of the woods. I suppose you know that the
authorities will want to--er--talk with you about that shooting
scrape--that chap that was found somewhere out in the desert. The
chief of detectives asked me the other day when you would be around
again."

"So, when I git out of here they're goin' to arrest me?"

"Well, frankly, you are under arrest now. I thought it best that you
should know it now. In a general way I gathered that the police
suspect you of having had a hand in the killing of that man who was
found near Sanborn."

"Well, they can wait till hell freezes afore I'll tell 'em," said Pete.

"And, meanwhile, you'll also have to--er--wait, I imagine. Have you
any friends who might--er--use their influence? I think you might get
out on bail. I can't say."

"Nope."

"Then the best thing that you can do is to tell a straight story and
hope that the authorities will believe you. Well, I've got to go. By
the way, how are you fixed financially? Just let me know if you want
anything?"

"Thanks, Doc. From what you say I reckon the county will be payin' my
board."

"I hope not. But you'll need some clothing and underwear--the things
you had on are--"