‘Howdy, Miss Lane,’ he said pleasantly, and then saw Rex on the ground. He dismounted quickly and came over to the fence.
‘He—he fainted,’ faltered Nan, fearful that the sheriff had seen the horse and its burden leave the corral.
‘Shore looks white, ma’am.’
‘I was just going after some water.’
‘I’ll get yuh some,’ he said quickly. He walked to the open gate, but stopped and picked up Peter Morgan’s revolver.
Nan’s heart sank when she saw it. Would he recognize the gun, she wondered? But he merely gave it a sharp glance and went on to the house, carrying it in his hand.
But she noticed when he came back that the gun was not in evidence, nor did he mention finding it. He poured some of the water over Rex’s head, and the shock of the cold water brought him back to consciousness. He sat up, blinking foolishly.
‘This is the sheriff,’ said Nan. ‘You’ve met him before.’
‘Kinda went down and out, didn’t yuh?’ smiled the sheriff.
Rex nodded quickly. ‘Foolish of me to faint. I guess my head isn’t very good yet.’