"Th' boss's."
"Mr. Hathaway?"
"Not on yer life; it was the big boss this time."
Blount's quick glance aside at his companion was a wordless "I told you so!" and then to Barto: "Well, now that you have stopped us, what's next?"
The outlaw grinned again and kicked his horse a little nearer.
"I'm a-holdin' you up sure enough this time, Mr. Blount—jest like another little Billy th' Kid," he confided. "You're goin' to gimme them papers you've got in your pocket, and then me an' Kinky we rides away all peaceful and leaves you and the lady to set down quiet till somebuddy comes along to pick you up."
Blount put his hand to his head. His wound was throbbing painfully again, and the pain may have been partly responsible for his answer.
"When you get those papers you'll take them from a dead man, Barto. Do your instructions go that far?"
The man of many trades swung straight in his saddle and fell into the attitude of one listening. Then the good-natured grin became a menacing scowl.
"Shuck them papers out, and do it sudden!" he commanded.