of his experience to electrify everybody. He told the story well;
he even made known the value of his diamond stock; mercilessly he
pilloried the two blindfolded bandits. When he drove to the jail
the running boards of his car were jammed with inquisitive
citizens, and those who could not find footing thereon followed at
a run, laughing, shouting, acclaiming him and jeering at his
prisoners.

Having surrendered custody of the latter, he dressed their eyes
once more and explained the sort of care they required, then he
made an appeal from the front steps of the jail, adjuring the mob
to disperse quietly and permit the law to take its course.

Nothing like this had occurred during the brief, busy life of the
town. It was a dramatic incident, but the manner in which this
capable stranger had handled it and the discomfiture he had
brought upon his assailants appealed more to the risibilities than
to the anger of Ranger. Admiration for him displaced indignation
at the high-jackers; cries for vengeance upon them were drowned in
noisy appreciation of their captor. Gray became a popular
character; men clamored to shake his hand, and complimented him
upon his nerve. The editor of the local newspaper dragged him,
protesting, to the office and there interviewed him. Gray was
covered with confusion. Reluctantly he made known his identity,
and retold the whole story of his trip, this time beginning at his
meeting with Coverly in Dallas. He displayed the bewildering
contents of his sample case, now guarded by a uniformed arm of the
law, and explained how he had volunteered his services out of pure
love of adventure, then how he had played into Mallow's hands
while aware of his malign purpose at all times.