"Who confessed?" he cried.

"'Pop' Henderson," said Crosby.

"'Pop' Henderson!" shouted Cahill. Unmindful of his wound, he struck
the table savagely with his fist. For the first time in the knowledge
of the post he exhibited emotion. "'Pop' Henderson, by the eternal!"
he cried. "And I never guessed it!"

"Yes," said Crosby, eagerly. "Abe Fisher was in it. Henderson
persuaded the paymaster to make the trip alone with him. Then he
dressed up Fisher to represent the Red Rider and sent him on ahead to
hold him up. They were to share the money afterward. But Fisher fired
on 'Pop' to kill, so as to have it all, and 'Pop's' trying to get
even. And what with wanting to hurt Fisher, and thinking he is going
to die, and not wishing to see you hanged, he's told the truth. We
wired Kiowa early this morning and arrested Fisher. They've found the
money, and he has confessed, too."

"But the poncho and the red kerchief?" protested Carr. "And he had no
stirrups!"

"Oh, Fisher had the make-up all right," laughed Crosby; "Henderson
says Fisher's the 'only, original' Red Rider. And as for the
stirrups, I'm afraid that's my fault. I asked the colonel if the man
wasn't riding without stirrups, and I guess the wish was father to
the fact. He only imagined he hadn't seen any stirrups. The colonel
was rattled. So, old man," he added, turning to Ranson, "here's your
sword again, and God bless you."