“Just my knowledge of men. Jim Cleve wouldn't squeal.... Gulden, did anybody tell you that?”
“Yes,” replied Gulden, slowly. “Red Pearce.”
“Pearce was a liar,” said Kells, bitterly. “I shot him for lying to me.”
Gulden stared. His men muttered and gazed at one another and around the cabin.
“Pearce told me you set Cleve to kill me,” suddenly spoke up the giant.
If he expected to surprise Kells he utterly failed.
“That's another and bigger lie,” replied the bandit leader, disgustedly. “Gulden, do you think my mind's gone?”
“Not quite,” replied Gulden, and he seemed as near a laugh as was possible for him.
“Well, I've enough mind left not to set a boy to kill such a man as you.”
Gulden might have been susceptible to flattery. He turned to his men. They, too, had felt Kells's subtle influence. They were ready to veer round like weather-vanes.