"Halt!"
Captain Bill, looking along the barrel of his automatic shot-gun, was inclined to be almost polite.
"What do you damned niggers want, this time?" he said.
"You must get an order from Major Penrose to come in here to-day," was the answer.
"You niggers put up them guns! You've already committed one murder!" was Captain Bill's single comment as with Sergeant McCauley he pushed straight ahead. Both Rangers entered with their own guns leveled, and would have opened fire instantly had there been the slightest movement on the part of the guard. But whatever their orders, the negroes gave way and made no further resistance.
The Rangers presently found Major Penrose and showed him a warrant for twelve of his men. The officer appeared to have cheered up a bit. He ran down the list with quite a business-like air.
"You've got six or eight of the right men," he said, "but the others were not in it."
"Oh, then you do know that some of your men are guilty—and who they are," commented Captain Bill. "Well, pick 'em out. Which ones are they?"
Penrose hesitated.