Sautee merely smiled after this speech from the disgusted deputy.
“Since I intrusted Rathburn with that job I’ve found out something about him which takes the case out of my hands entirely,” he said with a smirk. “I don’t care if you don’t start after him till day after to-morrow. But if your chief––the sheriff––finds out that you didn’t hit the trail to-night he’ll likely ask you for your badge!”
“Are you threatening me?” Mannix demanded loudly.
“No, I’m only stating facts,” Sautee replied stoutly. 148 “That man who calls himself Rathburn is The Coyote!”
Mannix didn’t start. He appeared hardly interested. Only the keen, penetrating quality of the steady gaze he directed at the mines manager betrayed the fact that his faculties were aroused.
“The Coyote hit back for Arizona after that deal he was mixed up in over in Dry Lake, across the range,” he said with conviction.
“Oh, he did?” Sautee sneered openly. “Well, you had him in jail last night, and you can probably get him again, if you start right out after him.”
“What makes you think this fellow Rathburn is The Coyote?” demanded Mannix.
“Carlisle knows him by sight, and he told me.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?” the deputy asked sternly.