A craven at heart, Fred Consollas thought more of saving his skin than of the danger of the discovery of the plot and quickly reined in.
"What are you doing here?" demanded the leader of the bandits as he and his posse overtook the fear-trembling lad.
His voice was stern and he bit off his words ominously.
Vainly searching the faces surrounding him, Fred stammered:
"I was l-looking for the mare."
"The roan your father said was stolen?" pursued the bandit-chieftain.
"U-huh."
"Then why were you going back to the Springs?"
"To see father."