any longer, an' the officers of the law will
take 'im in tow."

The ring of men and horses opened for Wambush to pass out. He said
nothing, and did not turn his head as he rode down the mountain into
the mysterious haze that hung over the valley.

"What do you say, boys?" proposed Jim Hunter to Longfield and Burks.
"Let's ride down the road a piece with Westerfelt."

"All right," both of them said. There was a general scramble of the
band to get mounted. Westerfelt got on his horse and started back
towards the village, accompanied by the three men. When they had
ridden about a hundred yards, Westerfelt said:

"I'm taking you out of your way, gentlemen, and I think I'd rather go
alone."

"Well, all right," said Hunter; "but you've got to take my gun. That
whelp would resk his salvation to get even with you."

"I know it," said Westerfelt, putting the revolver into his pocket;
"but he'll not try it to-night."

"No, I think he's gone fer good," said Longfield. "I guess he'll make
fer Texas."

At a point where two roads crossed a few yards ahead of them,
Westerfelt parted with the three men. They went back up the mountain,
and he rode slowly homeward.

When he was in sight of the stable, he saw Washburn coming towards him
on horseback.

"Hello! Did they hurt you, Mr. Westerfelt?" he asked.

"They never touched me."

"My Lord! how was that?"

"I told them I had nothing to do with the arrest; three of them were
old friends of my father's, and they believed me. Did you find
her--did you find Miss Harriet?"

"Yes; I couldn't make out what you meant 'bout the account-book at
first, but I went over to the shop as soon as you all left. She wus
lyin' thar on the ground in a dead faint. It took hard work to bring
her to."

"You took her home?"

"Not right away; I couldn't do a thing with 'er. She acted like a
crazy woman. She screamed an' raged an' tore about an' begged fer a
hoss to ride atter you all. She wasn't in no fix to go; she didn't
know what she wus about, an' that scamp would a-shot 'er. I believe on
my soul he would."

They had reached the stable and dismounted, but neither moved to go in.

"I reckon you ought to know the truth, Washburn, since you saw her
there so late at night," said Westerfelt, hesitatingly. "The fact is,
she came to warn me. I suppose she knew Wambush would try to kill me,
and she didn't want to--"

"She don't keer a snap for Wambush, ef that's what you me