“Of course. But why all this questioning?”

“I want to collect information for our work to-morrow, that’s all. Shortly after two o’clock, McGowan, you may look for an attack on the laboratory.”

McGowan started.

“An attack? From whom?”

“From a gang of stray Apaches led by a white scoundrel named Bascomb; and from Bernritter and Jacobs.”

“An attack from Bernritter? You’re wide of your trail, Cody. Bernritter is loyalty itself. There’s not a dishonest hair in Bernritter’s head.”

“You’re mistaken. Bernritter is a contemptible scoundrel.”

“I’ll not believe it.”

“He’ll prove it to you. Do as I say and you’ll see him caught red-handed to-morrow.”

McGowan seemed dazed. For a moment he was silent.