Brand Blotters - Page 82/180

"So you got a bunch of sheep and drove them down there to muss things up

some."

Norris looked sharply at him. "You got there while we were driving them

back. Well, that's right. We had to help her out."

"You're helping her out now, ain't you?" Jack asked dryly.

"That's my business. I've got my own reasons, Mr. Deputy. All you got to

do is arrest her."

"Just as soon as you give me the evidence, seh."

"Haven't I given it to you? She was seen to drive away from the house in

her rig. She left footprints down there. She came back up the ditch and

then rode right up to the head-gates and turned on the water. Jim Little

saw her cutting across country from the head-gates hell-to-split."

"Far as I can make out, all the evidence you've given me ain't against

her, but against you. She was out drivin' when it happened, you say, and

you expect me to arrest her for it. It ain't against the law to go

driving, seh. And as for that ditch fairy tale, on your own say-so you

wiped out all chance to prove the story."

"Then you won't arrest her?"

"If you'll furnish the evidence, seh."

"I tell you we know she did it. Her father knows it."

"Is it worryin' his conscience? Did he ask you to lay an information

against her?" asked the officer sarcastically.

"That isn't the point."

"You're right. Here's the point." Not by the faintest motion of the body

had the officer's indolence been lifted, but the quiet ring of his voice

showed it was gone. "You and Lee were overheard planning that robbery the

day after you were seen hanging around the 'Monte Cristo.' You started out

to hold up the stage. It was held up. By your own story you were the first

men on the ground after the robbery. I tracked you straight from there

here along the ditch. I found a black mask in Lee's coat. A dozen people

saw you on that fool sheep-drive of yours. And to sum up, I found the

stolen gold right here where you must have hidden it."

"You found the gold? Where?"

"That ain't the point either, seh. The point is that I've got you where I

want you, Mr. Norris, alias Mr. Boone. You're wound up in a net you cayn't

get away from. You're wanted back East, and you're wanted here. I'm onto

your little game, sir. Think I don't know you've been trying to

manufacture evidence against me as a rustler? Think I ain't wise to your

whole record? You're arrested for robbing the Fort Allison stage."