The utterance produced a sensation among the posse. But ere they could recover from it, the inquisitor roared:
"If you weren't at the camp ground, how did you know your father accused me?"
"I didn't," growled the boy.
"But you just said you did. When I asked you if that mare by the fence was the one your father charged me with stealing, you said 'yes.' Now, how did you know if you weren't at the camp ground?"
Realizing when it was too late, that he had been trapped, the fellow maintained a sullen silence.
"Answer me!" bellowed Jesse.
But the lad only cowered in his saddle.
"There's dirty work somewhere," declared Jesse, addressing his companions, "and I intend to find out where.
"Now, sirrah, will you answer me?" and he thrust the muzzle of his six-shooter against the youth's head.
"Don't kill him! He's foolish!" cried a voice.