"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.
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