Then he stepped
to the bunk-house, found a lantern and lighted it. He hallooed. There
was no response. He stalked across to the ranch-house. He found the
door unlocked. "Hi! Tony!" he called. No one answered. He pushed
the door open and entered. Holding the lantern above his head he
peered around the room.

In the dim light of the lantern vague outlines took shape. He noticed
that the small safe in the corner was open. He became alarmed and
again called. He heard a slight movement behind him and turned to see
the door close. From behind stepped a figure, a slender figure that
seemed unreal, yet familiar. With a cry of surprise he jumped back and
stood facing his old friend and companion of the road, Will Corliss.

"Billy!" he ejaculated, backing away and staring.

"Yes, it's Billy." And Corliss extended his hand.

"But--what, where--?" Sundown hesitated and glanced at the safe. His
eyes widened and he lowered the lantern. "Billy!" he said, ignoring
the other's proffered hand, "what you doin' here?"

Corliss assumed a nonchalant air. "Shake, pal! It's a long time since
we been in a wreck, eh?"

Sundown was silent, studying the other's hardened features. "Billy!"
he reiterated, "what you doin' here?"

Corliss laughed nervously. "What are you doing here?" he
retorted,--"in the office of the Concho, at midnight?"

"I was comin' to get flour and beans for the camp--" he began.

Corliss interrupted him. "Sounds good, that! But they don't keep the
grub here. Guess you made a mistake."

Sundown's face was expressionless. "Guess you made the mistake, Billy.
I thought you was--dead."

"Not on your tin-type, Sun."

"I never thought you was crooked, Billy."

"Crooked!" flashed Corliss. "Say, you--you forget it. I'm here to get
what's coming to me. Jack turned me down, so I'm going to take what's
mine."

"Mebby it's yours, but you ain't gettin' it right," said Sundown.
"I--I--never thought you was--"

"Oh, cut that out! You didn't used to be so dam' particular."

"I never swiped a cent in me life, Billy."

"Well, forget it. I'm in a hurry. You go ahead and get the chuck.
Here are the keys to the store-room--and beat it. Just forget that you
saw me; that's all."

Sundown shook his head. "I ain't forgettin' that easy, Billy. 'Sides,
I'm workin' for the Concho, now. They're treatin' me fine--and I
reckon I got to be square."

"You mean you're going to squeal--going back on