Next morning there was a whole column in one of the Prescott dailies about Clip. He had been arraigned, a jury selected, and the taking of testimony had begun. Before the closing-hour the prosecution had got in nearly all its evidence.
Fresnay had been put on the stand. He was made to tell about his ride in the red roadster, about his remark to the effect that he was going to Phœnix after the Fiddleback pay-roll, and then to describe the hold-up.
Welcome Perkins was forced to testify that Clip was in the roadster when Fresnay said he was going after the pay-roll, and was questioned about the half-breed who had stopped the cowboy's horse.
The paying-teller of the bank got in his evidence as to the amount of money drawn by Fresnay, and swore that it was all in double eagles.
Hogan and Leffingwell also added their mite to the evidence against Clip; and the money, and the dingy canvas bag, and the pouch were shown.
If Short accomplished anything on cross-examination, it did not appear in the newspaper record.
While the discouraged boys were reading and debating the court proceedings, a hack drove up with passengers from the train that had recently arrived from the south. Among these was Short himself.
Matt and Chub jumped up excitedly when they saw him. He nodded to them in his usual curt fashion.
"I've come up here just to get your affidavits," said he. "Our side will have an inning Monday morning, but it will be a short one. Let's go some place where we can talk. Bring pen, ink, and paper."
Chub got the writing-materials, and Matt led the lawyer to their room.