"Well, I saw the calves, and I left the fellow that was branding them with a wet saddle-blanket over his face."
"Eh? What's that?" Austin started, and Gonzalez uttered a smothered exclamation. "You killed him? He's dead?"
"Dead enough to skin. I caught him with his irons in the fire and the calves necked up in your pasture. Now I want his companero."
"I—hope you don't think we know anything about him," Ed protested.
"Where's that man on the sorrel horse?"
Austin turned away with a shrug.
"You rode in with him," Dave persisted.
Ed wheeled quickly. "How do you know I did?"
"Your boy saw you."
The ranchman's voice was harsh as he said: "Look here, my friend, you're on the wrong track. The fellow I was with had nothing to do with this affair. Would you know your man? Did you get a look at him?"