“There’s a better way,” Chick objected, grimly shaking his head. “A better way?” “Sure! Let him come here and see me.” “Don’t be a fool, Kennedy,” Murdock replied, with a growl. “He wouldn’t take chances of coming into town. It would be all that his neck is worth to him.” “And it might be all that mine is worth to me, if I went where he is,” Chick dryly asserted. “What do you mean by that?” “He might give it to me where the chicken got the ax.” “Turn you down? Is that what you mean?” “That’s what,” Chick nodded. “I’m not taking that kind of a chance. Not for mine!” Murdock laughed and shook his head. “You’ll take no chance at all, Kennedy, in going to see him,” he replied, in assuring tones. “Neither he, nor any of his gang, would risk running their necks into a rope unless it was absolutely necessary.” “Wouldn’t, eh?” queried Chick doubtfully. “Certainly not,” Murdock insisted. “And it wouldn’t be necessary in this case. With the big wad of money acquired by the robbery, they’ll be willing enough to settle for any ordinary sum, rather than take the risk of putting you away, even if so inclined.” “Mebbe so, after all,” Chick demurred. “I already have shown you, besides, that I could have turned you down on the spot, if I had wanted to,” Murdock added. “But I wouldn’t have a hand in that kind of a job. You’ll take no risk, Kennedy, in going to see the man.” Chick was not blind to the trap that was being laid for him. He had expected no less, and had laid his own plans accordingly. He still pretended to have some misgivings, nevertheless, but asked, as if somewhat impressed: “Where must I go to see him?” “Up Willow Creek way,” said Murdock indefinitely. “Where’s that?” “Nearly a dozen miles from here.” “Is there a train?” “You can do better than take a train. None runs very near the place, nor could you find it alone.” “What d’ye mean by better?” Chick demanded. “I have the touring car that I came down in this morning,” said Murdock. “I’m going to take Janet up there. You can ride with us.” “Say, is this on the level?” asked Chick, frowning. “If not, I’ll blow the head off of some one.” Murdock laughed. “You mean my head, of course,” said he. “But you’ll have no cause to do so, Kennedy, on my word. I’m giving it to you dead straight, and you’ll take no risk in going with me.” “That settles it,” Chick declared abruptly. “I’ll go. Where is your car?” “In the next street.” “Come on, then, and——” “Wait!” Murdock interrupted. “We must wait for Janet.” “I’m ready, Jeff, all but my hat!” she cried, rising. “Put it on, then, and we’ll be off.” Chick waited, still with ominous and doubtful mien. They left the hotel five minutes later, however, and Murdock led the way to the waiting car. Chick hesitated again when he saw the chauffeur and another man in the conveyance, but Murdock said quickly, in a confidential way: “That’s only my chauffeur and one of the gang. You might do worse, Kennedy, than to join us.”