"Walk down the paddock road with me to the bridge," said he.
"Certainly. The morning's cool, and a little walk will help a fellow stretch his limbs."
The bridge was but a few hundred yards from the ranch dwelling, and spanned an almost waterless ravine, which was one of the wildest spots on the ranch.
The banks on either side were rocky and steep, and the bottom of the ravine was some hundreds of feet below the timber of the little bridge.
Merle talked but little during the walk to the spot, but the moment they touched the bridge he turned suddenly upon Old Broadbrim and said:
"I want you to do me a little favor. I want some help just now, and a cool man like you is just the one I want."
The detective looked at the speaker, but did not answer him.
"You don't mind a little by-play, eh Riggs?" continued Merle. "You didn't come out here just to guard a few sheep and a ranch house? You're ready for anything that promises to pay well, aren't you?"
"Certainly. Who is not?"
"That's what I thought. I took you for a free lance the moment you leaped from the saddle in front of the ranch house. I'm glad I'm not mistaken."