Rover whisked about him from one side to the other, in a vain effort to attract him, but the result was the same, the mystic stupefaction was on him, and he cared not for the dog just then. Of a sudden Rover ran out of the door, baying furiously. Wade looked out and discovered the reason for Rover's action. From toward the city came three men on horseback, riding leisurely. Wade watched them closely as they came on. They were strangers so far as he could tell from the distance that separated them. When they were just opposite the cabin they halted, Wade still watching them. Their actions now seemed a little strange, for one rode around the other two and stood near the gate. Rover was tearing up the earth in his anxiety to get at them. The man near the gate cried out loudly, and Wade, unconscious of lurking danger, went out in answer to the call, unarmed. He had not seen the necessity of arming himself to meet three strangers in bright noonday. The other two lined up near the fence, and when Wade approached, commanding Rover to be quiet, the three men covered him with revolvers. "Hands straight up," said one. Wade obeyed the command. "What outrage is this?" he asked warmly. "No outrage at all, friend," said the captain. "It means that we have come to arrest you, and if you make any fuss about it you might be seriously hurt." "I don't understand," said Wade. "You will soon enough. You are under arrest in connection with the death of one Lem Franklin, who passed in his checks last night with his boots on." "What proof have you that I know anything of the death of this Franklin?" asked Wade. "Sufficient to convict you of murder, sir," was the reply. "I don't know this Franklin at all." "Likely enough you don't, but the proof of your guilt is sufficient to warrant the arrest." It was beginning to dawn upon Wade's bewildered mind that he and Judson had dropped one of the enemy during the running fight of the night before. He could see it plainly now, but he knew it would not do to submit willingly and meekly to an arrest which would deprive him of his liberty for a long time. "I am not armed at all, as you can see," he said, "and I believe it will look better if you gentlemen will lower your revolvers. I will feel more free then to talk with you. You have a serious advantage." "And we intend to hold it, too," said the captain. "A fellow must get an advantage and keep it in this country. Make ready now, and come on." Wade looked fire. "I shall not submit," he said hotly. "Then if you will not, we must force you, and I warn you that one move contrary on your part will cause your immediate death." "You are a bluffer," said Wade, "and a coward." Jack had now recognized this man. The latter raised his revolver until it pointed directly at Wade's head. "You think it a bluff, do you, and that I won't shoot?" "You won't do any thing fair, that's certain," exclaimed Wade.