Suddenly Bill Hobbs changed. In a moment, he became a new man. Across his face swept an altered look; his hand leaped to his armpit, and an automatic flickered out toward the two men. He took them completely by surprise, covered them before their weapons could lift. "Put up yer mitts!" he breathed hoarsely, a wild light in his flaring eyes. "Put 'em up, youse! So help me, if I gotta croak you----" The two obeyed, utterly astounded. "You'll do time for this," began the sheriff furiously. Bill Hobbs flung an excited, reckless laugh at him. "Will I? You'll go to hell first! Now look here--the doc ain't done nothin' at all, and you'd ought to know it! You big stool, you," Bill cast the words venomously at Piute. "I'll cook ye for this!" "Hey! It wasn't me!" spoke up Piute in obvious alarm. "It was Doc Scudder! Don't go to p'inting that there gun too reckless----" "Scudder, was it?" Bill Hobbs swore. "I said that gink was crooked! So he tried to frame the doc, here, did he?" "Good lord!" uttered the sheriff suddenly. He had been staring hard at Bill Hobbs; now he took a step backward, across his face flitting a look of recognition. "It's Swifty Bill!" Willyum snarled at him. "Yah, Swifty Bill!" he jeered. "Seen me before, have ye?" "I've got pictures of you, my man," said the sheriff. "And word that you're wanted in Memphis--you've been wanted there for a long time! Those handbills have been up on my office wall for three years--why I didn't know you before, I can't say why----" Bill Hobbs spat a vicious oath at him. Claire had shrunk back, white-faced and fearful, watching the intense scene before her with eyes that only half comprehended. "Know me, do you?" flung out Bill Hobbs. "And ye'll try to pinch one o' Swifty Bill's mob, will ye? I guess not! The doc ain't done nothin', I tell you! Youse guys ain't goin' to frame him an' get away with it, not for a minute!" "See here," broke out the sheriff. "You're trying to buck the Government, Swifty Bill, and you know what _that_ means! This man Murray had a lot of opium and morphine in his possession, and has no permit for it. You'd better put down that gun----" "I got that gat down on _you_," said Bill firmly, "and she stays like she is." Suddenly he paused, then broke out anew, an impulsive eagerness brightening in his face. "Say! What d'you guys say to this--leave the girl an' the doc go, and take me with you? I'll go! How's that, now? If ye want me, all right. If ye don't, I'll sure croak both of youse if we don't blow out o' here!"