Pagina 254 van 439

"Yes. To save us. Shall we send him back under a rifle guard? Or

shall we have Sheriff Brandt come and get him?"

"Gracious goodness, gyurl, shet up whilst I think. Killed a man,

eh? This valley has always been open to fugitives. Ain't that

right, Jed?"

"To fugitives, yes," said Jed significantly. "But that fact ain't

proved."

"Jed's getting right important. We'll soon be asking him whether

we can stay here," said Arlie, with a scornful laugh. "And I say

it is proved. We met the deputies the yon side of the big canon."

Briscoe looked at her out of dogged, half-shuttered eyes. He said

nothing, but he looked the picture of malice.

Dillon rasped his stubbly chin and looked at the Texan. Far from

an alert-minded man, he came to conclusions slowly. Now he

arrived at one.