"Yes--alias Bill Small, the range-rider at the B C."
"And he--a man like that--was one of the gang?"
"No, no! Phil was in it to get information, to give warning. He is entitled to an honorable discharge from his conscience now. His testimony will rid this part of the country of about twenty undesirables, the missing Marks and Schoeffleur among them."
She looked up in dumb incredulity for a moment, then she laughed.
"So--o, the treasure would have been saved anyway without--without----" There was another irrepressible ripple of mirth before she asked, "Has Bruce--has--Mr. Greyson been told?"
Her laughter, her reference to Greyson snapped Courtlandt's self-control, which was already strained to the limit of endurance. Even his lips were white as he caught her by the shoulders.
"I don't know what Greyson has been told, but he'll get it straight from me that you are mine--mine----" With sudden savage ruthlessness he caught her in his arms and kissed her shining hair, her throat, her eyes. He let her go. "Now perhaps _you_ understand it too," he announced huskily.
Jerry shrank as far away from him as the narrow space would allow. The color burned in her cheeks, her eyes blazed.
"You--you have no right to--to do that!" she reminded breathlessly.
"Don't stand there looking like a lion ready to spring. I--I won't have it! You promised----"
"That is humorous. When you ran away with Greyson were you keeping your promise? At least, you'll acquit me of making love to--another woman. I----" The door was thrown open violently and Nelson shouted:
"Get that girl off quick, Steve! We leave in five minutes." The last words died in the distance as he hurried along the corridor.
"Come!" Courtlandt commanded, and with a curious look up into his eyes Jerry preceded him from the compartment. As she stepped from the train she fell almost into her sister's arms.
"Where the dickens did you drop from, Peg-o'-my-heart? Why are you at Slippy Bend at this unholy hour?" Steve demanded peremptorily.
"Ye gods! Don't ask me why! For information apply to Ito. I only know that while I was walking the floor at the Double O, wild with anxiety, that Jap tragedian appeared and announced that he must see the excellent Mr. Benson. When I succeeded in convincing him that I couldn't produce the excellent Mr. Benson, he explained that he must take me to Slippy Bend to meet Mrs. Courtlandt, by order of his honorable master."