rrand, sure as
mud."

"If that's so," resumed Abe Harum, "why do you want the hound let
loose? She'll get on his track. She'll go up ter him where he's most
likely lyin' in hiding. Then he'll put a bullet inter her. You'd best
ha' kept her chained up, sure."

Rube shook his head.

"Broken Feather's too cunnin' ter do her any harm now that he knows
he's been seen. He didn't want t' be seen. He didn't expect t' be.
He happened upon me quite sudden, when he was sneakin' round ter git
past where you was busy fellin' that tree. I'd seen his shadder 'fore
he knew I was thar at the bench. No, Abe, he won't hurt the dog. I've
a notion he's gone right away."

"Leavin' no proof that he's the man that tried ter kill Kiddie," added
Abe.

"Wait till the hound comes along," said Rube; "then we shall have
proof. Just wait."

When at length the deerhound came limping eagerly towards them from
among the trees, her nose was lowered to the ground and her tail
slashing to and fro. Rube called her, but she went on sniffing the
grass, until she got on to Broken Feather's track. Then she bounded
forward in pursuit of him. Rube Carter followed her down to the creek,
where she stopped.

"Checked!" muttered Rube. "He's too clever for us. Not a bit o' use
trying ter pick up his scent in runnin' water, Sheila. Never mind,
you've given proof that he's the man that dealt you the cut on the
shoulder."

Rube was eager to tell Kiddie of his discovery, and he sat up that
night with Abe Harum, waiting for Kiddie to ride along the trail and
change ponies at Birkenshaw's station.

Towards two o'clock in the morning, when the eastern bound Express was
due, Abe got ready the relay pony, and led it down to the trail. Rube
accompanied him. The night was very dark, a thin rain was falling, and
they took shelter under the trees. Abe presently struck a match, to
see his watch.

"It's time," he said. "D'ye hear him comin'?"

"No," Rube answered. "Mebbe your ticker's a bit fast."

"It's exactly right," Abe assured him. "An' Kiddie's four minutes
behind time. 'Tain't like Kiddie t' be late. Dessay his relay wasn't
ready at Three Crossings. Keep yer ears open. Wind's comin' this way.
We ought t' ha' heard him long ago."

Abe was at first merely interested in the fact of Kiddie being slightly
behind schedule time. Then he became impatient, then anxious, and
finally seriously alarmed.

"Suthin's happened," he declared. "