"Ye got me. Mrs. Traquair didn't say. We didn't talk much more'n we had to, seein' as how the feller that had charge o' the shack might come in on us at any minit."
"And how," went on Matt, "can Murgatroyd hope to make Mrs. Traquair give up the claim?"
"I guess he expects ter keep her a pris'ner until she signs the quitclaim."
"A quitclaim deed, secured like that, wouldn't hold in law for a minute! Murgatroyd has loaned enough money to understand that."
"Like enough, but it's some sich game he's tryin', jest the same."
Motor Matt was puzzled. Hackberry's story seemed straight enough, but there were points about it that made him incredulous.
"What ye goin 'ter do, Motor Matt?" asked Hackberry.
"I'm going to look after Mrs. Traquair," declared Matt.
"Sure! That's what she said ye'd do. Better git a hoss an' ride back with me."
"It has taken you two days to come, Hackberry. Why didn't you come by train?"