"You state positively that you do not belong to the crowd at the ranch?" resumed the government official.
"I said so. But, see here, stranger—"
"Please get down off that wagon," went on James Monday quietly.
"Eh?"
"I said get down off that wagon."
"What fer?"
"Because I want you to."
"Say, are this a hold-up?" cried the old man in renewed alarm. "If it are, I hain't a-goin' to stand fer it, an' let me say that Sack Todd will be after you-uns bald-headed fer it!"
"This is not exactly a hold-up," said the detective with a faint smile. "Get down and I will explain. If you try to resist, you'll only get into trouble."
"Suppose I'll have to obey," groaned the old man as he climbed down from the seat. "You-uns are five to one on this. I'm like the coon an' Davy Crockett—I know when ter come down out o' the tree. But I don't understand your game, stranger."