"Spearman," said Matt, "you don't understand this matter. If you did——"
"Thar was some parts o' it I didn't onderstand none too well, back thar on the hill, a few hours ago. But ye heered me say we'd cut our eyeteeth, didn't ye? I meant jest that."
"I came here on government duty, just as I said," went on Matt, "and if you interfere with me in any way, you'll regret it."
"Will I? Waal, life is plumb full o' sorrers an' regrets. Who's the gent on the floor?"
"I'm a helpless victim of these young scoundrels," said Murgatroyd plaintively. "Release me, gentlemen, and do an act of simple justice!"
"His name is Murgatroyd," corrected Matt, "and the government has offered a reward of a thousand dollars for his capture."
"That's your story fer it, young man. I ain't takin' your word fer nothin'. Slim, step over an' cut the gent loose."
Slim started. Matt stepped in front of him.
"Leave that man alone!" ordered Matt. "You fellows, I suppose," he continued, turning to Spearman, "have come here after the money Prebbles took from you at the ranch. He was leaving it with me to deliver to you, just as you came."
"Likely yarn," scoffed Jed Spearman, taking a chair in the doorway. "Consider yerselves pris'ners, all o' ye. We ain't so terribly het up over Motor Matt, and we ain't so mad at t'other feller or the chink as we mout be, seein' as how they left us our hosses an' guns an' then trailed straight fer this place whar we diskiver George Hobbes. It's Hobbes we want, an' I tell ye plain we're goin' ter play bob with him afore we're done. That's flat."