against me, I'm sorry for it, very sorry. I suppose you will testify
that there was no one in the Exchange who could have heard my plan?"

Cahill nodded.

"And, as it's not likely two men at exactly the same time should have
thought of robbing the stage in exactly the same way, I must have
robbed it myself."

Cahill nursed his bandaged hand with the other. "That's the court's
business," he growled; "I mean to tell the truth."

"And the truth is?" asked Ransom

"The truth is that last night there was no one in the Exchange but
you officers and me. If anybody'd come in on the store side you'd
have seen him, wouldn't you? and if he'd come into the Exchange I'd
have seen him. But no one come in. I was there alone--and certainly I
didn't hear your plan, and I didn't rob the stage. When you fellows
left I went down to the Indian village. Half the reservation can
prove I was there all the evening--so of the four of us, that lets me
out. Crosby and Curtis were in command of the pay escort--that's
their alibi--and as far as I can see, lieutenant, that puts it up to
you."

Ranson laughed and shook his head. "Yes, it certainly looks that
way," he said. "Only I can't see why you need be so damned pleased
about it." He grinned wickedly. "If you weren't such a respectable
member of Fort Crockett society I might say you listened at the door,
and rode after me in one of your own ponchos. As for the Indian