The cattleman laughed harshly, but behind his laughter lay rising anger. "So that's the story you're telling, eh? Sounds most as convincing as that yarn about the pocketknife you picked up."
"I'm not quite next to your point. Have I got to explain to you why I do or don't ride a certain horse, seh?"
"It ain't necessary. We all know why. You ain't riding it because there is a bullet wound in the roan's flank that might be some hard to explain."
"I don't know what you mean. I haven't seen the horse for two days. It was stolen, as I say. Apparently you know a good deal about that roan. I'd be right pleased to hear what you know, Mr. Healy."
"Glad to death to wise you, Mr. Keller. That roan was in Noches yesterday, and you were on its back."
The nester shook his head. "No, I reckon not."
Yeager broke in abruptly: "What have you got up your sleeve, Brill? Spit it out."
"Glad to oblige you, too, Jim. The First National at Noches was held up yesterday, about half-past three or four, by some masked men. Slim and Jim Budd were around and recognized that roan and its rider."
"You mean----"
"You've guessed it, Jim. I mean that your friend, the rustler, is a bank robber, too."
"Yesterday, you say, at four o'clock?"
"About four, yes."
Yeager's face cleared. "Then that lets him out. I was with him yesterday all day."
"Any one else with him?"
"No. We were alone."
"Where?"
"Out in the hills."
"Didn't happen to meet a soul all day maybe?"
"No; what of it?"
Healy barked out again his hard laugh of incredulity. "Go slow, Jim. That ain't going to let him out. It's going to let you in."
Yeager took a step toward him, fists clenched, and eyes flashing. "I'll not stand for that, Brill."
Healy waved him aside. "I've got no quarrel with you, Jim. I ain't making any charges against you to-day. But when it comes to Mr. Keller, that's different." His gaze shifted to the nester and carried with it implacable hostility. "I back my play. He's not only a rustler, he's a bank robber, too. What's more, he'll never leave here alive, except with irons on his wrists!"
"Have you a warrant for my arrest, Mr. Healy?" inquired Keller evenly.
"Don't need one. Furthermore, I'd as lief take you in dead as alive. You cayn't hide behind a girl's skirts this time," continued Healy. "You've got to stand on your own legs and take what's coming. You're a bad outfit. We know you for a rustler, and that's enough. But it ain't all. Yesterday you gave us surplusage when you shot up three men in Noches. Right now I serve notice that you've reached the limit."