"Do you want it?" he asked quietly.
"Throw it over there in the brush," ordered Matt. Bascomb obediently flung the weapon into the thicket. "You're right," said he, "I'm one of the gang. I ought to have known better than to try to fool you—you're too keen; but I wanted to go to Phœnix, and I wanted you to be with me on the way, so if any of Burke's men laid me by the heels I could get you to transact a little honest business for me. I'm going to town, King, and I want to get there in a rush. I'm willing to go as your prisoner and I'll make you no trouble, providing you take me to see that little girl before you take me to McKibben. Is it a bargain?"
There was something about the man that Matt liked, in spite of the deceit he had practised at the start-off of their acquaintance.
"When a fellow has lied to you once, Bascomb," returned Matt, "you never feel as though you could trust him. But I'll go you this time. I'm going to keep this gun, though, and watch you every minute."
"That's not necessary, but I'm willing to have it that way if it will make you feel any easier in your mind."
"What was it you were going to have me do?" went on Matt. "I don't know as I want to mix up in any of your lawless operations."
"I wouldn't ask you to do that," said Bascomb sharply. "I can't tell whether I want you to do anything or not until after we get to the notch. We're losing time here," he finished, "and I've told you I'm in a hurry to reach town. You ought to know it's important when I'm willing to lose my liberty in order to get there."
"Well," returned Matt, "start on, Bascomb. You'll have to travel on foot, and I'll keep close behind you."
Without further loss of time, Bascomb swung off down the cañon.
"I can pick up a horse at the Tanks," he called back, over his shoulder, "and when we leave there we'll make better time. We'll have to stop at the notch, but I hope we won't have to be there long."