Tight-lipped, Barr did as he was ordered. Expertly Ike laced his hands and then his feet. He approached Jeff apologetically.
"'Feard I'll have to tie you too, peddler."
"But—"
"Now don't gimme no fuss." Ike rubbed the friendly Pal's head. "Jest do like Uncle Ike says."
Jeff thrust his hands behind the chair and permitted himself to be bound. Ike slipped a rawhide thong through Pal's collar and tied him to the chair rung. He stood erect and looked around, his manner that of one who has just done a job and done it well.
Jeff asked, "What's the big idea, Ike?"
Ike chuckled again. "Business! Say, how come these Whitneys had a gun on you?"
"Barr," Jeff inclined his head, "had the idea that I'm a policeman."
"Fer snort's sake!" Ike faced Barr. "Your brain soft? He's a peddler an' a good 'un. I ought to know. I was in jail with him."
"Leave me loose," Barr snarled, "an' I won't hurt ye."