"

Haines raised his head slowly. The frown was not yet gone.

"They aren't there," he announced.

His eyes shifted to Buck. Everyone followed his example, Silent
cursing softly.

"As a joker, Lee," said Buck coldly, "you're some Little Eva. I s'pose
they jest nacherally evaporated durin' the night, maybe?"

"Haines," said Silent sharply, "are you serious?"

The latter nodded.

"Then by God, Buck, you'll have to say a lot in a few words. Lee, you
suspected him all the time, but I was a fool!"

Daniels felt the colour leaving his face, but help came from the
quarter from which he least expected it.

"Jim, don't draw!" cried Haines.

The eyes of the chief glittered like the hawk's who sees the field
mouse scurrying over the ground far below.

"He ain't your meat, Lee," he said. "It's me he's double crossed."

"Chief," said Haines, "last night while he watched the shanty, I
watched _him!_"

"Well?"

"I saw him keep his post in front of the cabin all night without
moving. And he was wide awake all the time."

"Then how in hell--"

"The back door of the cabin!" said Kilduff suddenly.

"By God, that's it! They sneaked out there and then went down on the
other side of the house."

"If I had let them go," interposed Buck, "do you suppose I'd be here?"

The keen glance of Silent moved from Buck to Haines, and then back
again. He turned his back on them.

The quiet which had fallen on the room was now broken by the usual
clatter of voices, cursing, and laughter. In the midst of it Haines
stepped close to Buck and spoke in a guarded voice.

"Buck," he said, "I don't know how you did it, but I have an idea--"

"Did what?"

The eyes of Haines were sad.

"I was a clean man, once," he said quietly, "and you've done a clean
man's work!"

He put out his hand and that of Buck's advanced slowly to meet it.

"Was it for Dan or Kate that you did it?"

The glance of Buck roamed far away.

"I dunno," he said softly. "I think it was to save my own rotten
soul!"

On the other side of the room Silent beckoned to Purvis.

"What is it?" asked Hal, coming close.

"Speak low," said Silent. "I'm talking to you, not to the crowd.
I think Buck is crooked as hell. I want you to ride down to the
neighbourhood of his house. Scout around it day and night. You may see
something worth while."

Meanwhile, in that utter blackness which precedes the dawn, Kate and
her father reached the mouth of the canyon.

"Kate,"