"Well, a good bit of water has gone over the dam since we met," Bassett

said. "I nearly broke a leg going down that infernal mountain again.

And I don't mind telling you that I came within an ace of landing in the

Norada jail. They knew I'd helped you get away. But they couldn't prove

it."

"I got out, because I didn't see any need of dragging you down with

me. I was a good bit of a mess just then, but I could reason that out,

anyhow. It wasn't entirely unselfish, either. I had a better chance

without you. Or thought I did."

Bassett was watching him intently.

"Has it all come back?" he inquired.

"Practically all. Not much between the thing that happened at the ranch

and David Livingstone's picking me up at the cabin."

"Did it ever occur to you to wonder just how I got in on your secret?"

"I suppose you read Maggie Donaldson's confession."

"I came to see you before that came out."

"Then I don't know, I'm afraid."

"I suppose you would stake your life on the fact that Beverly Carlysle

knows nothing of what happened that night at the ranch?"

Dick's face twitched, but he returned Bassett's gaze steadily.

"She has no criminal knowledge, if that is what you mean."

"I am not so sure of it."

"I think you'd better explain that."

At the cold anger in Dick's voice Bassett stared at him. So that was

how the wind lay. Poor devil! And out of the smug complacence of his

bachelor peace Bassett thanked his stars for no women in his life.

"I'm afraid you misunderstand me, Livingstone," he said easily. "I don't

think that she shot Lucas. But I don't think she has ever told all she

knows. I've got the coroner's inquest here, and we'll go over it

later. I'll tell you how I got onto your trail. Do you remember taking

Elizabeth Wheeler to see 'The Valley?'"

"I had forgotten it. I remember now."

"Well, Gregory, the brother, saw you and recognized you. I was with him.

He tried to deny you later, but I was on. Of course he told her, and

I think she sent him to warn David Livingstone. They knew I was on the

trail of a big story. Then I think Gregory stayed here to watch me when

the company made its next jump. He knew I'd started, for he sent David

Livingstone the letter you got. By the way, that letter nearly got me

jailed in Norada."




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