can't hit a barn with my left. And as for having any wounds concealed
about my person"--Ranson turned his hands like a conjurer to show the
front and back--"they can search me. So, if the paymaster will only
stick to that story--that he hit the man--it will help me a lot."
Ranson seated himself on the table and swung his leg. "And of course
it would be a big help, too, if you could remember who was in your
Exchange when I was planning to rob the coach. For someone certainly
must have overheard me, someone must have copied my disguise, and
that someone is the man we must find. Unless he came from Kiowa."

Cahill shoved his glass from him across the table and, placing his
hands on his knees, stared at his host coldly and defiantly. His
would-be son-in-law observed the aggressiveness of his attitude, but,
in his fuller knowledge of their prospective relations, smiled
blandly.

"Mr. Ranson," began Cahill, "I've no feelings against you personally.
I've a friendly feeling for all of you young gentlemen at my mess.
But you're not playing fair with me. I can see what you want, and I
can tell you that you and Captain Carr are not helping your case by
asking me up here to drink and smoke with you, when you know that I'm
the most important witness they've got against you."

Ranson stared at his father-in-law-elect in genuine amazement, and
then laughed lightly.

"Why, dear Mr. Cahill," he cried, "I wouldn't think of bribing you
with such a bad brand of whiskey as this. And I didn't know you were
such an important witness as all that. But, of course, I know
whatever you say in this community goes, and if your testimony is