Joe Cave swung away from the rest and stopped his horse near the corral, while the other three men came up to the porch.
‘Hyah, Mr. Morgan,’ said Lem.
‘Hello, Lem.’
Peter Morgan looked closely at the sheriff and at Nan Lane. From the expression of their faces, these men came on no friendly mission.
‘Where’s Long Lane?’ asked Morgan. ‘You know who I mean,’ he said, when no one answered him. ‘He’s here. That’s his horse in the corral.’
‘What do you want him for, Peter Morgan?’ asked Nan anxiously.
Morgan merely glanced sharply at her, but directed his answer to Lem Sheeley.
‘Young Lane killed Ben Leach less than half an hour ago, sheriff. If yore judgment is good, you’ll ride back the way yuh came—and forget what I told yuh.’
Nan was standing on the top step, leaning forward, her eyes wide, as she listened to what Morgan said. But now she turned and ran to the doorway.
‘Stop that damn girl!’ snapped Peter Morgan. ‘Get to the back of the house, Spike!’