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The ranger laughed hardily. "Nothing, Dick. Nothing at all. Some

of the boys had notions of a necktie party, but they're a little

shy of sand. Have you met Mr. Struve, Dick? I know you're

acquainted with the others, Mr. Struve is from Yuma. An old

friend of mine. Fact is, I induced him to locate at Yuma."

Dick caught at the rope, but Yorky flung him roughly back.

"This ain't your put in, France," he said. "It's up to Johnson."

And to the latter: "Get busy, if you're going to."

"He's a spy on you-all, just the same as he is on me," blurted

the convict.

"That's a lie, Struve," pronounced the lieutenant evenly. "I'm

going to take you back with me, but I've got nothing against

these men. I want to announce right now, no matter who tells a

different story, that I haven't lost any Squaw Creek raiders and

I'm not hunting any."

"You hear? He came into this valley after me."