“Oh, he was in a little trouble at the time an' didn't care to show in public” lied Mr. Hennage glibly. “I perceive. I believe you mentioned something about his reputation as a hard citizen when I first spoke to you about him.” “Tougher'n a bob-cat” Mr. Hennage assured him, for no earthly reason except a desire to be perverse and not contradict his former statements. “Hu-u-m-m! I presume you know where Mr. McGraw may be found at present. Is he liable to communicate with you?” Mr. Hennage was on guard. “Well, I ain't sayin' nothin'” he replied evasively. It was in his mind to discover, if possible, the details of the business which this man of vast emprise could have with a penniless desert rat like Bob McGraw. “Is this McGraw a friend of yours, Mr. Hennage?” pursued Carey. “Well,” the gambler fenced, “I've loaned him money.” “Ever get it back?” Carey smiled a thin sword-fish smile. “Certainly. Why do you ask?” “You consider McGraw honest?” “Sure shot--between friends. Yes.” Carey turned his head slowly and gazed at the gambler in mean triumph. “Well, I'm sorry I can't agree with you” he said. “Your friend McGraw robbed me of fifteen hundred dollars on the San Pasqual-Keeler stage a few days ago.” The fact that Carey had been a victim of Bob McGraw's felonious activities was news to Mr. Hennage, but he would not permit Carey to suspect it. “Yes” he replied calmly, “I heard he'd taken to road work.” “He held up the stage” Carey repeated, in the flat tone of finality which the foreman of a jury might have employed when repeating the verbal formula: “We, the jury, find the defendant guilty, as charged.” “Then you recognized McGraw” ventured the gambler. “The moment I saw him.” “That's funny” echoed Harley P. “I gathered from what you told me in San Pasqual that you two'd never met up, an' they tell me that durin' the hold-up McGraw was behind a wall an' wearin' a mask. You're sure some recognizer, Mr. Carey.” “We had met prior to the hold-up and subsequent to my conversation with you in San Pasqual.” “Still the bet goes as she lays” repeated Mr. Hennage. “For a near-sighted gent you're sure some recognizer.” “I recognized his voice.” Mr. Hennage was silent for a minute. Carey continued. “If the sheriff gets him, I'll see to it that McGraw doesn't rob another stage for some time to come.” Still Mr. Hennage was silent. He was digesting the conversation, and this much he gathered: