"Get the two biggest ones, then--Amos and Seth. Have them pick a fight
with the man Johnson and swear him into jail. They needn't hurt him much
and they needn't bother about provocation. All they need to do is to
contrive to get him in some quiet spot, beat him up decently, and swear
that Johnson started the row without warning; that they never saw him
before, and that they think he was drunk. Manage so that Johnson sees
the inside of the jail by to-morrow at luncheon-time, or just after, at
worst; then you and I will take the afternoon train for Arizona--with my
map. I have just returned from informing my beloved uncle of Stanley's
ignominious situation, and I told him I could go to the rescue at once,
for the sake of the family honor. I thought the old fool would throw
a fit, he was so enraged. So, good-bye to Nephew Stanley!"

"Look here, Mr. Oscar; that's no good, you know," remonstrated Pelman.
"What's the good of throwing Johnson into jail for five or ten days--or
perhaps only a fine? He may even have letters from Stan to some one else
in Vesper, some one influential; he may beat the case. He'll be out there
in no time, making you trouble. That old goat looks as if he might butt."

Mitchell smiled.

"That's only half my plan. The jailer is also one of your handy men. I'll
furnish you plenty of money for the Pooles and for the jailer--enough to
make it well worth their while. Contrive a faked rescue of Johnson. The
jailer can be found trussed up and gagged, to-morrow about midnight. Best
have only one of the Pooles in it; take Amos. He shall wear a mask and be
the bold rescuer; he shall open the cell door, whisper 'Mitchell' to
Johnson, and help him escape. Once out, without taking off his mask, Amos
can hide Johnson somewhere. I leave you to perfect these details. Then,
after discarding his mask, Poole can give the alarm. It is immaterial