stiffly.

Struve turned his sinister face on one and another of them. His lips
were drawn back, so that the wolfish teeth gleamed in the moonlight.
He felt himself being driven into a trap, from which there was no
escape. He dared not let Fraser go with his life, for he knew that,
sooner or later, the ranger would run him to earth, and drag him back
to the punishment that was awaiting him in the South. Nor did he want
to shoulder the responsibility of murdering this man before five
witnesses.

Came the sound of running footsteps.

"What's that?" asked Slim nervously.

"Where are you, Steve?" called a voice.

"Here," the ranger shouted back.

A moment later Dick France burst into the group. "What's doing?" he
panted.

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.