"Where'd you go so sudden, pard?" came from Chub. "What was it the governor wanted of you?"
"He wanted me to turn a 'century' in five hours," answered Matt.
"Up Castle Creek Cañon and over the divide, at that," interpolated Clip. "He did it in less than five hours. And fought smugglers all the way."
"But where'd he pick up this Bascomb?" persisted Welcome. "That's what's worryin' me a hull lot."
"It's too long a yarn to spin now, Welcome," replied Matt. "You'll get it all some time. What came over the doctor all at once? Does anybody know?"
"Not me," said Chub. "He dug out o' here like he had a hurry-up call over in town somewhere. Never said a word, but just rolled into his buggy and began kicking up the dust."
"He's coming back," reported Clip, his eyes up the road. "Seems to be in as big a rush to get back as he was to get away."
"That isn't the doctor," said Susie, as the rig drew nearer. "There are two men in the buggy and neither of them is the doctor."
"One's McKibben," said Chub, "and the other is Sparks, his deputy. I'm next now. The doctor found out Bascomb was one of the Dangerfield gang, and hot-footed it for the sheriff's office."
The rig drew up with a rush in front of the gate, and the two officers dropped out. Leaving Sparks to tie the horse, McKibben hurried into the yard. Matt went down the porch steps to meet him.