"No." Murray slit viciously through the waist band of the trousers and raised Buck with one powerful arm while he eased away the severed cloth. He said nothing more until Rose came with a garment such as Buck had not worn for more years than he liked to remember. When it was donned and Buck made comfortable, Murray spoke with decision. In his earnestness he unconsciously reverted from the slip-shod manner of speech to which he had habituated himself. "I have a confession to make," he began; "and I want to make it now. I don’t think it will harm you to hear it." "Let ’er go," said Buck, with awakened interest. "I am a hypocrite. I am indirectly responsible for the loss of your cattle. I have been taking your money and working for another man. I am not at all proud of it. In fact, as things have turned out, I ’m d—d sick of it. All that I can say for myself is that I honestly thought the other man was in the right; now I know better. If it will be any satisfaction to you I would give my life this minute rather than have it known by—by certain people who are bound to know of it if you talk. So it has not been easy to tell you. I have only one thing more to add: I can’t be treacherous to the other man although he has been treacherous to me; but if you are not afraid to trust me, I guarantee to make the Double Y sound on the inside, at least—that is, if they don’t kill me." "By th’ Lord!" breathed Buck. "I ’m right glad I got that pill. Trust you? You bet!" He reached out his hand to Murray and the grip he felt confirmed his belief that the canker was surely healed on the Double Y. Softly as Buck spoke, the sound of his voice brought Rose to the door. She looked sternly at Murray: "You must go," she declared; "So much talk bring fever." "All right, ma’am," assented Murray, carefully keeping from her his tell-tale face, "sure you won’t need help?" "No, my father come soon." She advanced to the bunk and improved comfort and appearance with a few deft touches. "Good-day, then, ma’am. So long, Buck. I ’m ridin’ to th’ ranch with Miss McAllister." "So long, Cock. Get at it, son. Th’ Double Y needs you, you bet," and the smile on the stern face was so winning that Murray left hastily, with long strides. CHAPTER XXV MARY RECEIVES COMPANY Mary’s heart skipped a beat and then pulsed ninety to the minute as her first suspicion became a certainty: a wagon was coming through the dark to the ranch. With a prayer for her husband on her lips she went slowly to the door. She recognized Murray’s voice and Jake’s in conversation and stood with her hand on the door until Jake’s rough command was followed by the sound of the wagon going to the stable. No one wounded! Her relief was so great that she walked unsteadily in crossing back to her chair. Mary was nervous and easily upset, these days.