The ranchman was no match for the keen mind of his employer. In brute force he might have been more than his equal. But even that was doubtful. While he was speaking Jeff moved. Up to that moment he had been facing the foreman with his back turned toward the distant door. Now his movement placed him against the table with his back to the other empty bunk, and his focus took in not only the man before him, but the shadowy outline of the distant half-open door. "It's the boy we took on the other day at--your recommendation. Your recommendation. Get me? Guess he came with the yarn you were shot to death. You'd located the rustlers' camp. You needed to see me quick." Jeff's words came swiftly. Then after a pause he added: "You didn't send him along? Who did?" As Jeff watched the man's deliberate shake of the head he became aware of a muffled sound, somewhere away beyond the door. It was faint, but, to him, unmistakable. He gave no sign. "Where are the other boys?" he demanded. "Out on cattle guard." The movement beyond the door again penetrated the silence of the hut. Now it was that the ranchman made his mistake. Only for an instant did he turn his head and eyes in the direction of the sound. But it was sufficient. Jeff's voice rasped again. "Stand up, darn you! Stand up!" Sikkem's gaze came back abruptly, and on the instant his right hand flew to his waist for his guns. But the muzzle of Jeff's revolver was within a foot of his head, and behind it his coldly shining eyes. Sikkem's hand dropped from his waist. He stood up. The law of the gun was powerfully ingrained upon his mind. "Loose those guns at your waist--quick! Let 'em drop on the bunk! Quick, or I'll pump you full of lead!" The deadliness of Jeff's command was irresistible. The power of that leveled gun indisputable. The buckle was loosened, and the weapons fell on the blankets behind the ranchman. "Now push your hands up! Right up!" The command was obeyed on the instant, but the look which accompanied the movement was as deadly as human passion could make it. "Back away! Back to the far end! Sharp!" Sikkem moved. But his movement was not rapid enough. Jeff urged him. In the pause Jeff's straining ears caught again the sound of movement, and he wondered why development was not precipitated. Perhaps---- But Sikkem had nearly reached the distant wall, and, at that instant, a whistle shrilled through the building.