Then what did that exchange of coats and hats mean? Why was it necessary for an officer of the law to disguise himself? Here, again, Bascomb's explanation did not explain.
Although these reflections shattered Matt's confidence in his companion, the boy did not allow it, for the present, to make any difference in his treatment of the man.
Bascomb grew talkative when they reached Castle Creek Cañon and started over the clear stretch of road toward Hot Springs.
"What became of the little girl that figured in that runaway?" he asked. There was an eagerness in his voice which Matt did not fail to notice. "José said you stopped the horses, picked up the little girl, and was going to carry her into the house when Juan Morisco interfered. José didn't see any more, as the sheriff came up just then."
"I took her into the house," answered Matt, "and we sent for a doctor."
The man started in his saddle and bent his piercing eyes on the boy.
"Was she as badly hurt as that?" he demanded.
"The doctor said he didn't think she could live."
"What!" Bascomb's eyes were glaring like an animal's as they met Matt's. "No, no," he added, dropping back in the saddle and brushing a hand across his forehead, "it can't be. I won't believe it. You stopped the horses, and I don't see how she could have been so badly hurt as all that."
"She was tied to the 'reach' of the wagon," explained Matt, "and the front wheels broke away from those behind just before we got the horses stopped. The girl was dragged for a ways. If she hadn't been tied, she wouldn't have been hurt so bad."