The Texan grinned. “That isn't quite the point, is it?” he drawled. “If I should be successful, you will achieve a reputation, without any cost to yourself. That's worth mentioning.”
Hilliard showed a momentary embarrassment.
“That's incidental. Besides, it will help your reputation more than mine.”
Brandt got busy at once with the details of the escape. “We'll loosen up the mortar round the bars in the south room. They are so rickety anyhow I haven't kept any prisoners there for years. After you have squeezed through you will find a horse saddled in the draw, back here. You'll want a gun of course.”
“Always providing Lieutenant Fraser consents to the arrangement,” the lawyer added smoothly.
“Oh, I'll consent,” laughed Fraser wryly. “I have no option. Of course, if I win I get the reward—whatever it is.”
“Oh, of course.”
“Then I'm at your service, gentlemen, to escape whenever you say the word.”
“The best time would be right after lunch. That would give you five hours before Nichols was in here again,” the sheriff suggested.
“Suppose you draw a map, showing the route I'm to follow to reach Cedar Mountain. I reckon I had better not trouble folks to ask them the way.” And the Texan grinned.