"I found this r-rascal upstairs in Mr. Lester's rooms. I'm t-told he's wanted for b-boiler-wrecking and such. I'm arresting him and taking him to Ellensburg along with Pinky."
There was a great deal of confused talk then, and Stella could sift nothing out of it. She knew that a stranger had spent the night in Sam Lester's quarters, but she had not seen him. Willie must have barged up there and arrested him, she realized.
She got a glimpse of Willie and his prisoner as they passed the dining room doorway on their way to the front door. Madrid and Mr. Jay came into view behind them. Madrid had his hand on his gun, but Mr. Jay gave him a look and a quick little shake of the head. The front door slammed heavily, and Willie and his prisoner were gone.
"He's gone crazy!" Madrid said. "Plumb paper-doll crazy!"
"Actually, it's working out well," Mr. Jay said. "With two prisoners to guard, Willie will be taking a foolish risk. A break will be that much more plausible. Don't you agree, Persia?"
"I don't want anything to do with it," Persia said, a languid thickness in her voice. "I don't even want to hear about it."
Mr. Jay and Madrid walked together to the main street.
"I've already got a horse for you," Mr. Jay said. "It's tied behind the hotel."
"Must say you think of everything," Madrid muttered.