"It certainly does and I hope to goodness I am. You don't seem to grasp the fact that your 'Uncle Dudley' knew what he was doing when he made that proposition." The questioning glances bestowed upon the detective by his comrades showed that they had not, indeed, suspected that there was a hidden meaning to the offer. "If these Rubes do get there ahead of Jesse, they'll be obliged to fight or run. If they do the latter, I'll save my hundred; if they give battle, which from their state of mind I should think more likely, the whole thing'll be over before we arrive on the scene and there won't be any danger of our bodies offering a stopping place for any of the cut-throat's bullets." The declaration was made with all the satisfaction of a man who had consummated a clever bargain and he looked from one to another of his fellows complacently. None of them were loath to be saved from exposing themselves to the guns of Jesse and his pals and as they realised that the innocent proposition had obviated this danger, the spirits of the man-hunters rose rapidly and they laughed and joked as they rode along. But in their glee, they forgot the old adage, "he who laughs last laughs best." For the very eagerness of the grizzled farmer to win the hundred dollars defeated the detectives' purpose. The distance to the cabin was almost a mile less by the short cut through the fields than by the path through the woods by which the desperadoes were advancing. By hard riding, the posse gained the edge of the forest and, under the guidance of the old man, without much trouble made their way to the clearing in which Brett's hut stood. No dogs, horses or men were in sight as the man-hunters cautiously peered from the underbrush before riding into the open. "The devils either ain't got hyar yit or they're inside the cabin," declared the farmer. "Thar's Brett's padlock on the door, so they ain't inside," asserted another. "Hooray! I've won my hundred! Hey, you fellows, hurry up! I want my money!" shouted the guide, slapping his thighs in joyful anticipation of the reward. In his excitement, the man had bellowed the words and his stentorian tone woke the echoes in the trees. Blissfully ignorant of the change of course of their pursuers, the notorious bandits were picking their way along the trail when the shout rang through the woods. Instantly Jesse and Cole drew rein, staring at one another. "What does that mean?" asked the latter. "You've got me," rejoined his chief. "I couldn't catch the words, but it behooves us to be careful." And with eyes and ears alert, the outlaws again advanced. But their assurance was gone. That something was transpiring of which they were ignorant, yet which vitally concerned them, each of them believed. So strong did this feeling become at last, that Cole bade his chief wait in the forest while he went forward to reconnoitre.