Brand Blotters

Norris, standing close in front of him, shot his right hand out and

knocked the officer backward from the fence. Before the latter could get

on his feet again the cowpuncher was scudding through the night. He

reached his horse, flung himself on, and galloped away. Harmlessly a

bullet or two zipped after him as he disappeared.

The deputy climbed over the fence again and laughed softly to himself.

"You did that right well, Jack. He'll always think he did that by his

lone, never will know you was a partner in that escape. It's a fact,

though, I could have railroaded him through on the evidence, but not

without including the old man. No, there wasn't any way for it but that

grandstand escape of Mr. Boone's."

Still smiling, he dusted himself, put up his revolver, and returned to the

house.