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 heads off they can't get protection against your boys, can't get an even break with the sheriff or with the district attorney. If I was to meet up with you somewhere out in the country, of course I could say you were too many for me and got away. But when you prance right up to the jail, even riding herd on a bad man badly wanted like the Killer, why—there 's no choice for me. I 'll let you go back and stay with the girl until I fetch Doc Bowers if"

"No, do it now," Zang suddenly commanded. "I got no call to make any lingering farewells like a East Lynn actor in a theater show. But just promise you 'll steer her right if Original starts buildin' any trouble for her—which I don't reckon he 'll do, he not bein' a woman fighter. Come on, Red; all I ask is pick me out a coop not too near that Killer. I don't favor him none."

Ten minutes later Sheriff Agnew, alone, entered the dining room where sat Hilma and Uncle Alf with their sunny hostess, Mrs. Agnew. The sheriff made a great pretense of covering the circumstances of Zang's absence with a noisy command that his wife instantly bundle the girl off to bed; she could hardly prop her eyes open, he vociferated.