Sandy and Murray canvassed the town with no little success. Two days later, a derelict in human shape blew in from the south, having heard that a paper was to be started in Two Palms. He was a hobo printer, a shiftless fellow who would be worthless to any real establishment--but to Bill Hobbs he was a providential shower of manna. Bill engaged him on the spot as preceptor. During the three days which elapsed thus, Murray saw Claire Lee at intervals. He also informed Tom Lee of the decision regarding Morongo Valley, received a check for five thousand dollars, and made over the deed to the land in the name of Claire, as requested. He and his friends encountered Doctor Scudder frequently, but the encounters were very cold and formal. On the third evening Patrick Hennesy arrived from Meteorite in his car, and was at once closeted with Tom Lee. As the latter was still confined to his room by Murray's orders, supper was served there by Piute. Hennesy beckoned Piute aside. "Is that fellow Mackintavers still here?" he demanded in a grim whisper. Piute allowed that he was. "Then don't say nothin', but fix it up for me to meet him back o' the hotel early in the morning--all alone. Will ye? I don't want no interference." Piute grinned suddenly. "Will I?" he retorted. "Say! Them fellers--I put 'em next to a sale for their prop'ty, all fair and square; and they didn't even so much as slide me a ten-spot! Ain't that gratitood? I'm askin' ye--ain't it? Well, don't you worry none, Hennesy!" "Ain't you a deputy sheriff?" demanded the contractor. "Me an' Deadoak is both depitties. Why?" "Tell you later," and Patrick Hennesy winked joyfully at Piute. CHAPTER X FLIGHT Upon the following morning, Murray was at the printing establishment watching Bill Hobbs and his human derelict swear at each other, when Piute Tomkins beckoned him outside to the street. Piute stood there, ostentatiously fingered a burnished deputy's star which adorned his sun-faded vest, twirled his melancholy mustache and spoke. "Doc, the pris'ner wants to see ye." "Prisoner? What prisoner?" "Your partner, Mac." "Good lord!" Murray stared blankly at him. "You don't mean he's--arrested?" "Certain." "On what charge?" "Assault with 'tent to kill. Him and another man been mixin' it up consid'able back of the hotel; other man's Hennesy, the contractor from Meteorite. Seems like Mac took after him with an ol' wagon spoke and nigh riled him to death. I got him locked up in an extry room, so come along." Murray followed, bewildered and angered. Sandy arrested! Piute led the way into the hotel, and to a room at the door of which stood Deadoak Stevens on guard. A stern and implacable proponent of justice, Deadoak was also possessed of a polished badge and an ancient revolver, both of which he displayed with ostentation. "Hennesy's goin' right back to town," he informed Piute, "he wants to see ye 'fore he pulls out." Piute strode away.