"You have been seen together. You have held secret consultations on the range and in the hut."
"That proves nothing. Riggs and I are friends."
Merle seemed baffled.
Was this man to beat him and come out of the affair victor after all?
"You are to perish here like a rat in a trap unless you make a full confession," cried the hunted man. "The traps of Robin Ranch are as deadly as the dungeons of Venice. There is no escaping from them, and your doom is sealed."
Waters, who was a young athlete, looked the other over from head to foot, and seemed to measure strength with him.
Merle retreated a step and laid his hand on his hip.
His eyes flashed with an angry light.
"I see. You are in league with Riggs, so called. Tell me the truth, Waters. Who is he?"
But Waters was no traitor.