"Look here, Agnes," said he, taking the matter entirely in hand. "When we leave this place, we'll leave together. I've arranged that all in my mind and intention. It's all disposed of and settled. Here comes Boyle now, I think." Boyle left his horse standing a few rods distant and came over to where they sat. "You look comfortable," he commented, as serene and unperturbed as if the load of one more human life on his soul were a matter too light to be felt with inconvenience. "Very comfortable," answered Slavens, rising stiffly. "We have nothing on our hands that common water will not wash off." "Oh, that nut!" depreciated Boyle. "He'd talked around for a year or two about getting me. I only beat him to it when he tried; that's all." "But there was another occasion--another attempt that didn't turn out quite like you intended," said Slavens. "Do you remember me?" "Yes; you're the tin-horn doctor that held a man up in Comanche and stole the coat off of his back," Boyle retorted with easy insolence. Agnes looked at the doctor imploringly, plainly begging him not to provoke Boyle to another outbreak of violence. She was standing beside him, the fear and loathing which Boyle's presence aroused undisguised in her frank face. "It was an outrage against one of the honest men who tried to murder me," said the doctor. "But, vicious as it was, neither Shanklin nor you, his side-partner, has ever made a squeal. If it was a holdup, why haven't you sent one of your little sheriffs out after me?" "I'm no partner of Hun Shanklin's!" denied Boyle. "Maybe you've parted company since the night you slugged me and nailed me up in that box for the river to hide your work." "I'll make you prove that charge!" threatened Boyle hotly. "I can't prove it," admitted the doctor. "If I could, I'd have you in court tomorrow. But you were one of them, and I want you to understand fully that I know it, and will treat you accordingly in any private dealings that may come up between you and me." "If you keep spoutin' it around that I ever slugged you, I'll pull you into court and make you prove it! It'll either be put up or shut up with you, mister!" "Whenever you're ready," invited Slavens. With somewhat more of ostentation than the simple act seemed to warrant, Boyle unbuttoned his coat, displaying his revolver as he made an exploration of his vest-pockets for a match to light his cigarette. "Well, I guess you know what I'm here for?" Boyle suggested, passing his glance significantly from one to the other of them. "Dr. Slavens is acquainted with your proposal," said Agnes; "and it ought to be needless for me to say that I'll not permit him to make any concession to shield myself." "Fine! fine!" said Boyle in mock applause, throwing his head back and snorting smoke.