The pucker came back between the corporal’s brooding eyes. He looked upon Burnnel with suspicion. Dick wondered if Rand believed, as he was somewhat inclined to believe himself, that the partners were the man’s murderers.
“What did you intend to do when you arrived here?” Rand asked.
“We was plannin’ to send word tuh the police. We thought they ought tuh be notified. But afore God, corporal, we didn’t have no idea that yuh was here. Mighty lucky, I call it. Saved us a hull lot o’ time an’ trouble.”
“Yes, it was lucky,” the corporal averred grimly. “Rather fortunate for me too. You may consider yourselves under arrest, at least until I have investigated this case. You and your partner will lead me to the scene of the tragedy.”
“A’ right,” agreed Emery, his face more repellent than ever, “me an’ Burnnel’ll go with yuh. It won’t take long. If we had some horses now—”
“I’ll supply the horses,” Rand informed him.
“That’s fine!” Emery’s smile expanded into a leer. “We can go an’ get back afore night. Ain’t that right, Burnnel?”
“Yeah,” agreed Burnnel, “an’ when do we start, corporal?”
“Right away.”
“That’s a’ right with us,” said the big man, “only—”