is drawn on Sheriff Brandt's official stationery," Jed rasped swiftly.

"I got it from Sheriff Brandt, Mr. Briscoe, since you want to know.
You're not entitled to the information, but I'll make you a gift of
it. He gave it to me to guide me here."

Even Briscoe was taken aback. He had expected evasion, denial,
anything but a bold acceptance of his challenge. His foe watched the
wariness settle upon him by the narrowing of his eyes.

"So the sheriff knew you were coming?"

"Yes."

"I thought you broke jail. That was the story I had dished up to me."

"I did, with the help of the sheriff."

"Oh, with the help of the sheriff? Come to think of it, that sounds
right funny-- a sheriff helping his prisoner to escape."

"Yet it is true, as it happens."

"I don't doubt it, lieutenant. Fact is, I had some such notion all the
time. Now, I wonder why-for he took so friendly an interest in you."

"I had a letter of introduction to him from a friend in Texas. When he
knew who I was, he decided he couldn't afford to have me lynched
without trying to save me."