gger. Peruna waited to see if
he had strength enough to fire. A sneering smile added to the evil
appearance of his face. Seeing Buck helpless, he snatched the gun from
his hand. Then he turned his victim over so he could reach the pocket
of his waistcoat. With the blood-stained knife he ripped open the cloth
and extracted a roll of paper and money. Peruna was kneeling beside
the body of his former friend, when a voice drawled:

"Drop that knife!"

Peruna jumped up with a grunt of dismay to see Slim Hoover sitting on
horseback, with his revolver held upright, ready for use.

Peruna hesitated: "Drop it!" ordered Slim sharply, slightly lowering
the gun.

Peruna tossed away the knife with a snarl.

"I'll take care of your friend's bundle, and the papers and money you
took from his pocket. Drop them. I didn't figure on gettin' back to
business as soon as I got home, but you never can tell. Can you?"

The last remark was addressed to his deputy, Timber Wiggins, who had
joined him.

"This yere's Timber Wiggins, deputy sheriff from Pinal County,"
explained Slim, for Peruna's enlightenment. "Mr. Wiggins, will you
take care of this friend of mine?" continued the Sheriff, glancing from
Peruna, who looked at him stolidly, to Wiggins. "I reckon he's been
doin' something naughty."

The two men dismounted, keeping the outlaw covered and watching his
every glance.

"Anything to oblige," replied Wiggins, who had solemnly entered with
Slim into his assumed formality.

Wiggins stepped behind Peruna, and reaching forward, removed Buck's gun
from the outlaw's holster, which had been empty since Buck, earlier in
the day, had taken his revolver after he had insulted Echo.

"Anything to oblige," said Wiggins to Slim. Then to Peruna he
commanded: "Let's take a walk. You first. I'm noted for my
politeness."

"You might tie him up some," suggested Slim.

"I sure will," answered the deputy, as he marched his prisoner toward
the corral.

Slim hastened to the side of the fallen man, and turned him over on his
back to get a glimpse of Peruna's victim. He saw that Buck was still
breathing although mortally wounded, the blood gushing from his mouth.

McKee recognized the Sheriff. "Hullo! when did you git back?" he asked.

"Jes' now. Is this your money?" said Slim, holding the roll in front
of McKee's eyes.

"No; it's your'n. Part o' what I took from 'Ole Man' Terrill. The idee
o' not recognizin' your own property