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The Texan told his story from the beginning. Only one thing he

omitted--that Arlie had told him the name of the Squaw Creek

raiders.

"There are the facts, Alec. You've got them from beginning to

end. It's up to you. Do you want me here?"

"Before I answer that, I'll have to put a question myse'f, Steve.

Why do you want to stay? Why not leave the valley while you're

still able to?"

"Because Jed Briscoe put it up to me that I'd got to leave within

a week. I'll go when I'm good and ready."

Alec nodded his appreciation of the point. "Sure. You don't want

to sneak out, with yore tail betwixt yore laigs. That brings up

another question, Steve. What about the Squaw Creek sheep

raiders? Just for argument, we'll put it that some of them are my

friends. You understand--just for argument. Are you still aiming

to run them down?"