Haines raised his head slowly. The frown was not yet gone. "They aren't there," he announced. His eyes shifted to Buck. Everyone followed his example, Silent cursing softly. "As a joker, Lee," said Buck coldly, "you're some Little Eva. I s'pose they jest nacherally evaporated durin' the night, maybe?" "Haines," said Silent sharply, "are you serious?" The latter nodded. "Then by God, Buck, you'll have to say a lot in a few words. Lee, you suspected him all the time, but I was a fool!" Daniels felt the colour leaving his face, but help came from the quarter from which he least expected it. "Jim, don't draw!" cried Haines. The eyes of the chief glittered like the hawk's who sees the field mouse scurrying over the ground far below. "He ain't your meat, Lee," he said. "It's me he's double crossed." "Chief," said Haines, "last night while he watched the shanty, I watched _him!_" "Well?" "I saw him keep his post in front of the cabin all night without moving. And he was wide awake all the time." "Then how in hell--" "The back door of the cabin!" said Kilduff suddenly. "By God, that's it! They sneaked out there and then went down on the other side of the house." "If I had let them go," interposed Buck, "do you suppose I'd be here?" The keen glance of Silent moved from Buck to Haines, and then back again. He turned his back on them. The quiet which had fallen on the room was now broken by the usual clatter of voices, cursing, and laughter. In the midst of it Haines stepped close to Buck and spoke in a guarded voice. "Buck," he said, "I don't know how you did it, but I have an idea--" "Did what?" The eyes of Haines were sad. "I was a clean man, once," he said quietly, "and you've done a clean man's work!" He put out his hand and that of Buck's advanced slowly to meet it. "Was it for Dan or Kate that you did it?" The glance of Buck roamed far away. "I dunno," he said softly. "I think it was to save my own rotten soul!" On the other side of the room Silent beckoned to Purvis. "What is it?" asked Hal, coming close. "Speak low," said Silent. "I'm talking to you, not to the crowd. I think Buck is crooked as hell. I want you to ride down to the neighbourhood of his house. Scout around it day and night. You may see something worth while." Meanwhile, in that utter blackness which precedes the dawn, Kate and her father reached the mouth of the canyon. "Kate," said old Joe in a tremulous voice, "if I was a prayin' man I'd git down on my knees an' thank God for deliverin' you tonight." "Thank Buck Daniels, who's left his life in pawn for us. I'll go straight for Buck's house. You must ride to Sheriff Morris and tell him that an honest man is up there in the power of Silent's gang." "But--" he began. She waved her hand to him, and spurring her horse to a furious gallop raced off into the night. Her father stared after her for a few moments, but then, as she had advised, rode for Gus Morris. CHAPTER XXXII