was pointing out everybody
to me, before you called court. So they can mosey along down to the
post office together--the postmaster and the recorder. And when that
letter comes you'll know all about it."

"Ah, that reminds me," said the judge--"the case of the Territory of
New Mexico vs. John Dines is now dismissed. This court is now
adjourned. John Dines, I want to be the first to congratulate you."

"Thanks, Judge.--Hiram," said Johnny, "Cole told me to report to you.
He said I was to go to the John Cross pasture and pick me a mount from
the runaways there."

"But, Johnny, you can't ride those horses," said Bojarquez.

Johnny flushed. "Don't you believe it, old hand. You're not the only
one that can ride."

Bojarquez spread out his hands. "But bareback? Where ees your saddle?
And the Twilight horse? The bridle, he ees broke. Scarb'ro's in
Chihuahua by now."

"Dinner's on me," said Johnny.

Charlie See drew Johnny aside and spoke to him in confidence.

"How does it happen you know so pat just when a letter gets to
Hillsboro when it is posted in Garfield?"

"A letter? Oh--Hobby Lull, he told me."

"Yes, yes. And what was the big idea for keeping still about that
letter while they wove a rope to your neck?"

"Why, my dear man," said Johnny, "I can't read through a sealed
envelope."

Charlie sniffed. "You saw a good many things mighty clear, I notice,
but you overlooked the one big bet--like fun you did! Caney and Weir
and Hales--don't you suppose they knew that letter was on the way? And
that it was never to reach the recorder?"

"Since you are so very shrewd," said Johnny, "I sometimes wonder that
you are not shrewder still."

"And keep my mouth shut? That's how I shall keep it. But I just wanted
you to know. You may be deceiving me, but you're not fooling me any.
Keep your secret."

"Thank you," said Johnny, "I will."

"Good boy. All the same, Hobby and I will be up at the post office.
And I know now what we'll find in that letter you mailed. We'll find
Adam's location papers, with them three murderers for witness."

And they did. They found something else too; a message from beyond the
grave that in his hour of fortune their friend did not forget his
friends.

They buried Adam Forbes at sundown of that day. No thing was lacking;
his friends and neighbors gathered together to bid him Godspeed; there
were love and tears for him. And of those friends, three were all road
stained and weary; they