"Matt King."
"Then you're the chap who covered the trail between Phœnix and Potter's Gap yesterday afternoon?"
"Yes."
"Well, Matt, I've got to get to Phœnix as soon as I can, and if you're not in very much of a hurry, I'll climb into my saddle and we'll go together. If——" Bascomb hesitated. "If any of Dangerfield's scattered gang happened to waylay me, there's something I'd like to have you do for me in Phœnix. That's why I'd like to have you along."
"If you're waylaid, Mr. Bascomb," said Matt, "they'd be liable to get me, too. Dangerfield and his men aren't feeling any too friendly toward me after what I did yesterday afternoon."
"No, they wouldn't get you," insisted Bascomb. "You could run away from 'em like a streak on that motor-cycle. If I ask you to do anything for me," he added significantly, "I'll pay you well for it."
"All right," said Matt, "we'll travel together."
Bascomb turned to José, and again spoke to him in Spanish. The Mexican immediately pulled off his ragged slouch-hat and his tattered coat. Removing his own hat and coat, Bascomb put on the Mexican's; then, after transferring his personal belongings from one garment to the other, he turned to Matt.
"Not much of a disguise, is it?" he remarked. "But maybe it's enough to keep the gang from spotting me."
"What's that Mexican doing here?" demanded Matt. "He was with Juan Morisco in Phœnix yesterday, when Morisco was arrested. This fellow cut out a horse from the runaway team and got away."