"I heerd the vigilantes has marked men like thet," observed Bill.
"I'll give you a hunch, fellers," replied Jake, grimly. "By Gawd! the West won't stand fer traitors!"
All the way to "Many Waters," where it was possible to talk and be heard, the cowboys continued in like strain. And not until the driver halted the car before Anderson's door did they manifest any awareness of Neuman.
"Git out an' come in," said Jake to the pallid, sweating rancher.
He led Neuman into the hall and knocked upon Anderson's study door. It was opened by Dorn.
"Wal, hyar we are," announced Jake, and his very nonchalance attested to pride.
Anderson was standing beside his desk. He started, and his hand flashed back significantly as he sighted his rival and enemy.
"No gun-play, boss, was your orders," said Jake. "An' Neuman ain't packin' no gun."
It was plain that Anderson made a great effort at restraint. But he failed. And perhaps the realization that he could not kill this man liberated his passion. Then the two big ranchers faced each other—Neuman livid and shaking, Anderson black as a thunder-cloud.
"Neuman, you hatched up a plot with Glidden to kill me," said Anderson, bitterly.