"Mebbe," retorted the marshal, "but these gentlemen hev come here on particular business and they came like gentlemen. The officials o' this city hev give their word that there shouldn't be no interferin' with their plans. And thet's what you're a-doin'. Now git!"
Ned broke in:
"One moment, Mr. Marshall"
"Oh, that's all right, Mr. Napier," exclaimed the reporter, "he doesn't mean just that. He knows I don't have to leave here so long as I obey the law."
"Ye don't, don't ye?" retorted the marshal. "Well, there ain't no back east law down here. Our law books mebbe got all burnt up. And mebbe I happen to be purty much o' the law myself. Ye'll git and git quick."
Again Ned interfered.
"I suppose if we ask you to permit Mr. Russell to stay here he can," he asked.
"Well, I reckon that would be so. Ef ye ask it I reckon I'll have to," he replied surlily.
Ned and Alan held a brief consultation.
"We have decided to ask the authorities to permit you to remain here on one condition."