For a moment Rand did not reply. Apparently, he had become absorbed in his own thoughts. He had relaxed in his chair, his head bent forward, his eyes studying the tips of his brightly polished boots.
“Ever since I captured the half-breed this afternoon,” he spoke finally, “I have been thinking that very little is to be gained by holding him in custody. Nichols will not prefer a charge against him because he’s afraid the fellow may squeal. The half-breed himself, realizing the danger of his position, and who is really more clever than I had at first supposed, is attempting to save himself by keeping silent. Even if we subjected him to a severe grilling, I doubt very much whether we could get anything out of him. It seems to me that the best way to deal with the situation is to accept Murky’s assertion that we have captured the wrong man.”
“But I should think that by letting the half-breed go, you’d lose a chance to find out in what way Murky and the breed are associated.”
“No, I don’t think so,” replied the corporal. “On the contrary, I’m quite sure we can find out more now that I have set the half-breed free. I’m playing right into Murky’s hands. He’s laughing up his sleeve at this very moment at the way he thinks he’s fooled the mounted police. He’ll be inclined to be a little careless. We can look for immediate developments.”
“What developments?” asked Dick.
“Murky’s first move will be to attempt to patch up his differences with his former assailant. The half-breed’s motive for attacking Nichols can easily be explained—money! No doubt, Murky had failed to live up to an agreement.”
The policeman paused to fill his pipe.
“By watching the two of them, we will be pretty sure to find out something,” he continued. “If I’m not badly mistaken, we will be able to secure evidence against them within the next two or three days. I intend to keep a close tab on the pair from now on.”
Dick stirred uneasily in his seat. There was a question he wanted to ask, but he did not wish to appear too eager. During a lull in the conversation, however, he finally managed to pluck up sufficient courage.
“When would you like to have us start for the west coast?” he inquired.