All that Legree said merely made the whole situation darker for Matt. And for Carl, too. The Dutch boy stood blinking at Legree, and running his fingers through the tangle of tow he called his hair.
"You were keeping the box in the hope that Brisco would came after it and give you a chance at him, weren't you?" demanded Matt.
"Yes," answered Legree.
"Well, now that Brisco has got the box you can't expect him to come after it."
"Hardly," and Legree gave a short laugh. Noting the perplexity of the two boys, he went on: "You miss one point, Matt, in sizing up this situation. We're not done with Brisco—not by a long chalk. It isn't the box, but what was in it, that Brisco is anxious to get."
"Wasn't there anything in the box?" queried Matt.
"No, and there hasn't been since we left Ash Fork. I opened the box on the q. t. in that town and took out what it contained. That object is in my possession. I intend to stay in this town, Matt, until Brisco is captured. I don't care anything about Spangler; Brisco is the man I want. If you've got time, you can stay and help me; and you can keep all you get for recovering the runabout for yourself."
"What will you get for your work?"
"Why, I'll send Brisco over the road. The contents of that box will do it!"
Matt and Carl were dumfounded. The situation was clearing a little, but not much.