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"That's it"

"She lied for you to ain to Phil So did I Oh, we didn't lie in words, but it's the sa Noouldn't lie to save my own skin Why then should I for yours, and you a rustler and a thief?"

"I'm a rustler and a thief, am I?"

"Ain't you?"

"Would you believe er debated an instant before he answered flatly, "No"

"Then I won't say it"

The wounded er scowled at him "Mr Keller, you're a newcomer here I wonder if you knohat the Malpais country would be liable to do to anow"

"I can guess"

"Let ed quarter"

"Why didn't you tell?"

Yeager brought his big fist down heavily on the table "Because of Phyl Sanderson That's why She put it up toto keep on playing it I'm a Malpais e all my life Why should I thron ht in the act?"

"You've already tried and convicted me, I see"

"The facts convict you, seh"

"Your understanding of the facts, I reckon youer cut back dryly

The nester took from his pocket a little pearl-handled knife, picked up a potato froan to whittle on it absently He looked across the table at theon the bed, and debated a question in his mind Was it best to confess the whole truth? Or should he keep his own counsel?

"I see you've got Miss Sanderson's knife Did you forget to return it?" Yeager made comment

For just an instant Keller's eye confessed amazement "Miss Sanderson's knife! Why--how did you knoas hers?" he asked, gathering hiave it to her for a Christmas present Sent to Denver for that knife, I did Best lady's knife in the land"

"Ye-es It's sure a good knife I'll ce'tainly return it next tiet aith it She's some particular who she lends that knife to," Jim said proudly

Keller wiped the blade carefully, shut it, and put the knife back in his pocket Nevertheless, he orried in his ed wholly the probleested a possibility, even a probability, very distasteful to hih he expected to get others into deep water, too But not Phyllis Sanderson--surely not this iirl with the blue-black hair and dark, scornful eyes Wherefore he decided to keep silent now and let Yeager do what he would