Short work the sheriff made of the matter in hand. There had been a killing down on the Agua Fria, and the killer was still at large. Here was only a bungling attempt to kill, and everybody concerned was at hand.
"Case," said he shortly, "when you were brought here you swore it was 'Tonio who shot Lieutenant Willett."
"I didn't swear," said Case. "I stated; but either would have been wrong. I said it when myself accused and when I had been drinking. I am ready to tell everything I know."
"Then wait a moment," answered the official, turning to a deputy, who pulled at an inner door, and said, "This way, gentlemen," whereat everybody filed out into the corral where there was far more room, and where presently they were joined by the agent and his interpreter, by a little group of officers, Stannard, Strong and Willett—the latter very pale and weary-looking. A moment later the gateway swung open and in walked Harris, with 'Tonio by his side and two tribesmen following. The gate was quickly closed in the face of an eager knot of townspeople, but at sight of the assembled party the Sanchez brothers cowered still farther back beneath the shelter, and the sheriff ordered José out into the light. He came, yellow-white, and cringing.
"You said, first, that 'Tonio shot that man," and the sheriff pointed to Willett. "Did you lie?"
"Si," gulped the Mexican.
"Then who did it?"
José shrank. His eyes furtively, quickly swept the group, then fell again.
"You said Case—this man," said the sheriff, with a hand on Case's shoulder. "Did you lie again?"
"He—he shoot, an' run away."