village, that's no alibi. A Kiowa swear his skin's as white as yours
if you give him a drink."

"And is that why I get this one?" Cahill demanded. "Am I a Kiowa?"

Ranson laughed and shoved the bottle toward his father-in-law-elect.

"Oh, can't you take a joke?" he said. "Take another drink, then."

The voice outside the hut was too low to reach the irate Cahill, but
Ranson heard it and leaped to his feet.

"Wait," he commanded. He ran to the door, and met Sergeant Clancey at
the threshold.

"Miss Cahill, lieutenant," said the sergeant, "wants to see her
father."

Cahill had followed Ranson to the door, "You want to see me, Mame?
"he asked.

"Yes," Miss Cahill cried; "and Mr. Ransom, too, if I may." She caught
her father eagerly by the arm, but her eyes were turned joyfully upon
Ranson. They were laughing with excitement. Her voice was trembling
and eager.

"It is something I have discovered," she cried; "I found it out just
now, and I think--oh, I hope!--it is most important. I believe it
will clear Mr. Ranson!" she cried, happily. "At least it will show
that last night someone went out to rob the coach and went dressed as