With a sick feeling, the sheriff remembered Allen's story of the fatal list. He left the deputies in charge and went to warn the others of that death list. Each took it seriously and quietly, with the exception of Jim Hogg, who sputtered and insisted he had a right to know who was going to attack him and why. "I don't know who, but the why of it is because yuh're an honest man," Tom Powers told him. The sheriff found Dutchy in his usual place before the judge's house. When the sheriff gave him Allen's message his only reply was a grunt of reassurance. CHAPTER V THE WOLF SHOWS HIMSELF On the following day, about eleven o'clock, a great shout went up from the crowd before the courthouse. The jury had brought in a verdict of first-degree murder against Pete Cable. On Thursday night, after dinner, Tim Lynch, the Hogg brothers, and the sheriff met in the judge's house. They had been there but a short time when Ace Cutts, followed by Anderson, strolled into the room. The sheriff frowned when he saw them, but he realized that it would be better to keep them here now than to allow them to go away. They must suspect something about the gathering. "Dad told me that little fake, Jim Allen, was coming here to-night, so I thought I'd drop in and look him over," Ace said sneeringly. Sam Hogg bounced to his feet. "You promised to tell no one!" "Ace is really my son, and it just slipped out," the judge apologized. He looked sternly at Ace. "You kept your word?" "Sure thing. Bill, here, never heard a word about the Wolf until we came in here," Ace replied. "That's true, gentlemen," Anderson corroborated him. The sheriff doubted both of them. He considered swiftly. He could not reach Allen now and warn him not to come. Dutchy had gone downtown. If he himself left to find Allen he might miss him. Better to remain here and help the Wolf when he came. Bill Anderson regarded the waiting circle sardonically. "I've always been curious to see Jim-twin Allen," he said. "You'll forgive me if I mention that an alliance between a judge, a sheriff, and an outlaw has its humorous side." "You're quite right," said the judge thoughtfully. "But if he can help us we are justified in allying ourselves with him." "If he was the devil and could lead us into the lava fields I'd follow, hanging onto his tail," said the sheriff. "If what I hears is true, that he can follow trail like an Apache or a bloodhound, I'm bettin' he can lead us through them lava fields," Sam Hogg cried warmly. "You fellows are wastin' your time," Ace Cutts put in. "He ain't got nerve enough to come here." "Yuh mean he ain't big enough fool to come into a town filled with gents what is longin' to plug him," Jim Hogg corrected. "Call it that if yuh like." "I am afraid I agree with Ace; whether it is fear or caution which keeps him away, he won't come to-night," the judge said heavily.