"Then I was of some use, after all. There were two or three men between the notch and the divide. Tell me all about it."
Matt sketched his experiences briefly. Clip's black eyes glistened as he heard of the clash on the cliffside. Matt followed on down and told of meeting Bascomb and José at the gap, and of his travel Phœnixward with Bascomb.
Clip was vastly puzzled over Bascomb, just as Matt knew he would be.
"If he's one of the gang," said Clip, "why is he in such a hurry to get to Phœnix? Why does he want to go to Phœnix at all? It's putting his head in the lion's mouth."
"That little girl has something to do with it," declared Matt.
Clip was thoughtful for a minute.
"Here's how I size it up," said he. "That fellow, Bascomb, is what he said he was, at first. He's one of Burke's men. But he didn't want to argue the case with you. So he let you have your way. All he wanted was to get to Phœnix as quick as he could. He thinks Rags can tell him something about Dangerfield and his gang. Part of the gang's captured and part's on the run. If Bascomb can find out quick enough, maybe some more of 'em can be nabbed."
Matt shook his head.
"I don't think you've hit it off, Clip," said he.
"I'll bet money or marbles I have. That red roadster'll get Bascomb to Phœnix in short order."