“Mr. Ranson,” began Cahill, “I've no feelings against you personally. I've a friendly feeling for all of you young gentlemen at my mess. But you're not playing fair with me. I can see what you want, and I can tell you that you and Captain Carr are not helping your case by asking me up here to drink and smoke with you, when you know that I'm the most important witness they've got against you.” Ranson stared at his father-in-law-elect in genuine amazement, and then laughed lightly. “Why, dear Mr. Cahill,” he cried, “I wouldn't think of bribing you with such a bad brand of whiskey as this. And I didn't know you were such an important witness as all that. But, of course, I know whatever you say in this community goes, and if your testimony is against me, I'm sorry for it, very sorry. I suppose you will testify that there was no one in the Exchange who could have heard my plan?” Cahill nodded. “And, as it's not likely two men at exactly the same time should have thought of robbing the stage in exactly the same way, I must have robbed it myself.” Cahill nursed his bandaged hand with the other. “That's the court's business,” he growled; “I mean to tell the truth.” “And the truth is?” asked Ransom “The truth is that last night there was no one in the Exchange but you officers and me. If anybody'd come in on the store side you'd have seen him, wouldn't you? and if he'd come into the Exchange I'd have seen him. But no one come in. I was there alone--and certainly I didn't hear your plan, and I didn't rob the stage. When you fellows left I went down to the Indian village. Half the reservation can prove I was there all the evening--so of the four of us, that lets me out. Crosby and Curtis were in command of the pay escort--that's their alibi--and as far as I can see, lieutenant, that puts it up to you.” Ranson laughed and shook his head. “Yes, it certainly looks that way,” he said. “Only I can't see why you need be so damned pleased about it.” He grinned wickedly. “If you weren't such a respectable member of Fort Crockett society I might say you listened at the door, and rode after me in one of your own ponchos. As for the Indian village, that's no alibi. A Kiowa swear his skin's as white as yours if you give him a drink.” “And is that why I get this one?” Cahill demanded. “Am I a Kiowa?” Ranson laughed and shoved the bottle toward his father-in-law-elect. “Oh, can't you take a joke?” he said. “Take another drink, then.” The voice outside the hut was too low to reach the irate Cahill, but Ranson heard it and leaped to his feet. “Wait,” he commanded. He ran to the door, and met Sergeant Clancey at the threshold. “Miss Cahill, lieutenant,” said the sergeant, “wants to see her father.” Cahill had followed Ranson to the door, “You want to see me, Mame?” he asked.