"Wait," said James Monday. "I am sorry, but you'll have to stay here for the present, Mr. Cashaw."
"You mean you are goin' to make me stay here?"
"For a while, yes."
"With the wagon?"
"No, I'll drive your wagon to the ranch."
"I ain't askin' you to do the job."
"I'll do it for nothing," answered the government official with a quiet smile.
"See here, I don't understand this, at all," cried Bill Cashaw. "What is yer game, anyhow?"
"If you want me to be plain, I'll tell you. I suspect the men at the ranch of a serious crime. For all I know, you are one of the gang and as bad as the rest. If so, you're face to face with a long term in prison."
"Crime? Prison? I ain't done a thing!"