Slade's eyes came back from the two men at the window and rested on the badge.
"So that's it," he said with evident relief. "A real arrest—when I figured it was an old-fashioned murder you had planned. What do you want with me?"
Waddles had reached down and removed Morrow's gun.
"A number of things," Carpenter said. "Obstructing the homestead laws for one."
Slade shook his head and smiled.
"You've got the wrong party," he said. "You can't prove anything on me."
"I don't count on that," Carp said. "You've covered up right well. We know you work through Morrow but can't prove a word. We've got enough to hang him; but I expect maybe you'll get off."
There was a scrape of feet outside the door and the sheriff entered and took possession of Slade's gun as Harris and Waddles moved round from the window and went inside.
"I'm a few minutes late," Alden said. "I wasn't right sure how close I was to the house so I left my horse too far back."
"Here's your prisoners," Carp said. "Captured and delivered as agreed. I haven't anything on Slade myself but if you want him he's yours."