[CHAPTER XI.]
MATT MAKES A NEW MOVE.
Neither of the boys ate much breakfast. That telegram, showing how Clipperton was being railroaded through the court, had taken their appetite. Matt reflected bitterly that Clip was a quarter-blood—little better than a half-breed—and that the foregone conclusion that he was guilty must have prompted Sparling, the prosecuting attorney, to hustle the case through. There was evidence enough to convict him without hunting up any more.
Matt's first step, after breakfast, was to send a telegram to Short.
"Adjourn the case if you can. Must have more time. If anything is done, got to do it here. Can't you send some one to take our affidavits?"
Following this, Matt made a new move—one which he was sorry he had not made before. Leaving Chub at the Briggs House, he hunted up his friend Sheriff Burke.
Because of what Matt had done for law and order, Burke had a hearty admiration for him, and welcomed him cordially.
"I'm here on business, Mr. Burke," said Matt, "and haven't got much time to talk. You've heard about the robbery of Josh Fresnay, and about my chum, Tom Clipperton, being held for it?"
A sympathetic look crossed Burke's face.