The request seemed a very simple one to Echo. All the talk of harming Jack, the high words, the threats, could be silenced easily by her hero. Smiling into his eyes, Echo said: "Tell them, Jack." "I can't," he faltered. "It was paid to him by a friend," bravely began Echo. "A friend to whom he lent it some time ago." Buck interrupted her explanation. "Then let him tell his friend's name, and where we can find him." Turning to Jack, he bullied: "Come on--what's his name?" Jack closed his eyes to shut out the sight of his wife. In his agony he clenched his fists, until his nails sank into the flesh. "I can't tell you that," he cried, in misery. "Of course he can't," sneered Buck, smiling evilly in his triumph. "He can't account for himself on the night of the weddin'; he rides a pacin' horse--rode on that night; he gets three thousan' dollars paid him, and he can't tell who paid it; what's the verdict?" Buck did not wait for an answer. Raising his voice, he shouted: "Guilty." "Damn you," bellowed Sage-brush, lunging toward him, only to be held in restraint by his associates. "Jack! Jack! what have you to say?" begged Echo. "Nothing," was his only answer. "Tell him he lies!" cried Sage-brush. "Jack, we all know you--you're as white a man as ever lived, an' they ain't one of this outfit that ain't ready to die for you right now--" "You bet!" chorused his men. "He ain't goin' to get off like that," declared Buck. Looking confidently at his own followers, he said: "The Lazy K can take care of him." Buck's men moved closer to him, preparing to draw their guns, if need be, and open fire on Jack's defenders. "Look out, boss!" warned Sage-brush, at the hostile movement of Buck and his punchers. "Hold on!" drawled the Sheriff, who, as the danger grew more real, became more deliberate in his movements. "They ain't goin' to be nothin' done here unless it's done in the law--you all know me, boys--I'm the sheriff--this man's my prisoner." Pointing to Jack, he added: "There ain't nobody goin' to take him from me--an' live." Buck saw Jack slipping from his clutches. "You're not goin' to be bluffed by one man, are you, boys?" "No," his punchers answered in unison, crowding toward Jack, who held up his hand and cried: "Stop! I want a fair deal, and I'll get it." "I'll settle this thing all right. All I ask is a few words alone with my wife." Jack clasped Echo to his breast as he begged this boon from the men who sought his life. "No!" blustered Buck. "Yes," ordered Slim quietly but emphatically. "Payson--you'll give me your word you won't try to escape?" "Yes," agreed Jack. "His word don't go with us," shouted Buck. Slim laid his hand on the butt of his revolver, ready to draw, if necessary, to enforce his command. Buck saw the movement, and shouted to him: "Keep your hand away from that gun, Sheriff. You know I am quick on the draw." He significantly fingered his holster as he spoke.