Bascomb frowned, as though the memory was not pleasant.
"There was a fight?" Matt asked eagerly. "Were Dangerfield and his gang captured?"
"There wasn't much of a fight. You see, the smugglers weren't expecting trouble, and Burke took them by surprise. A few shots were fired, mainly by Burke and his men, but they went wild. The smugglers were making for their horses. Six of their number were captured, but a few more got away. Among those who escaped was Dangerfield. I'm trying to get to Phœnix on business, and I wonder if five hundred dollars would tempt you to let me have that wheel?"
Bascomb pulled a roll of bills from his pocket as he spoke, and held it up for Matt to look at.
"Can you ride a wheel?" asked Matt.
"Never rode one in my life!"
"Then you couldn't use the motor-cycle. You'd go off the trail on the divide as sure as fate."
"Bring the machine down here and let me look at it."
Matt rolled the Comet down. After Bascomb had studied it a while he shook his head disappointedly.
"I reckon you're right," he muttered. "What did you say your name was?"