“I think it might be well to take these two with the others,” he remarked, including Clay and Don with a swing of his long arm. “If I make it out right, this is a conspiracy-to-murder case, and these other lads are just as guilty as the others. Bring ’em along, Ike.”
Clay and Don sprang back as the sheriff approached to do the other’s bidding, but King interposed, preventing the advance of the other.
“Wait a minute!” he said, coolly. “Don’t move, boys,” as the two continued to retreat, evidently resolved to gain the boat. “This is my case, and these are my prisoners. I made the arrest, you must remember,” he continued, turning to Ike. “You can’t take them away from me!”
“Your prisoners!” shouted the sheriff. “We’ll see about that! Who are you? I’m the sheriff here! Keep away, or I’ll do something you won’t like! Keep away,” as King stepped forward.
King, perfectly calm, indeed, with a cynical smile on his face, took a long, folded document from a pocket and held it out to Ike. There was a moment’s pause, and then the other took the paper and glanced at it.
“You see,” King went on, with provoking composure, “that I am a deputy sheriff in this county, the same as you are. This commission gives me the same powers that you have, if you really are a deputy! Now, these are my prisoners, and when I require your help I’ll ask for it.”
The boys were still prisoners, but, somehow, Clay felt greatly relieved at the change in the situation. He regarded King as his enemy, but of two evils he considered him the least. Flint and Ike slunk back and stood glowering at the little group.
“I arrest the four for trespass!” Ike finally roared. “I’ll take them to jail for that, and you can’t stop me!”
“They are all my prisoners,” King insisted, “and I’m going to take them back to the boat. If you are an officer, you may summon the coroner and have him empanel a jury. And one of you would better remain with the body, without disturbing it in any way, until the coroner comes.”
“Are you really going to take us back to the Rambler?” asked Clay, his attitude toward King changing instantly. “You’re a squarer man than I thought!” he went on, “and I’ll withdraw all I said against you a minute ago! You won’t lose anything by giving Case and Alex a chance to show that they didn’t do the shooting!”