Mannix’s face was pale, but his eyes glowed with determination.
“Do you think it’s worth it, Coyote?” he asked.
“Step up here, Mannix, an’ listen to what this fellow has to say,” was Rathburn’s reply. “Men,” he called in a loud voice, “I’m lookin’ to you to give your mine boss an’ your deputy sheriff a fair deal.”
There was a murmur among the men. Mannix, after a moment of hesitation, stepped forward.
Rathburn swung on Sautee. “Tell him!” he commanded in a voice which stung like the crack of a whip on still air.
“I––I had a hand in the business,” said Sautee frantically. “It was Carlisle and me. We––we framed the robberies.”
Mannix’s eyes narrowed.
“Tell him where I got that money last night,” Rathburn thundered. “Tell him, Sautee, or, so help me, I’ll drill a hole through you!”
Sautee cowered before the deadly ferocity in Rathburn’s voice. “I had it in the––office––downtown,” he stammered. “There was blank paper in that package, Mannix. Let him go––let him go, Mannix, or we’ll all be killed!” Sautee cried.