“Near Mason Creek?”
“Yes; on the oil company’s land.”
“Well, do you mean to say that this Hank Low followed Mr. Judson to the city for the purpose of murdering him?”
“No, I don’t mean to say anything of the kind.”
“Then I don’t see how we can suspect Low. Mason Creek is some miles away——”
“Yes, but Low was on his way to the city when we saw him.”
“Oh! that’s different. Now perhaps we are getting down to business. The first question is, did anybody see him in town?”
“I saw his wagon in front of the store,” said Claymore, hesitatingly.
“Why do you hesitate?” demanded the detective sharply.
“Well, just begin to feel that it’s a pretty serious thing to bring a charge of murder against a man. You see, Low was hot and his tongue was uncontrollable. I presume he didn’t mean what he said.”