"Well, keep guessing, Bud, till I talk to Sundown." And Corliss walked
slowly to the bunkhouse. He sat on the edge of the bunk and laid his
hand on Sundown's sleeve. "Look here, Sun, if you know anything about
this, just tell me. The money's gone and you didn't get that cut on
the head trying to take it. I guess you're straight, all right, but I
think you know something."

Sundown blinked and set his jaw.

Corliss observed and wisely forbore to threaten or command. "Did you
recognize either of the men?" he asked, presently.

"No!" lied Sundown. "Wasn't I hit in the back of me head?"

Corliss smiled grimly. "What were you doing when you got hit?"

"Tryin' to stop the other guy--"

"What did he look like?"

"I dunno. Me lantern was on the floor. He was a hefty guy, bigger 'n
you. Mebby six feet and pow'ful built. Had whiskers so's I couldn't
pipe his face. Big puncher hat down over his eyes and a handkerchief
tied like a mask. I was scared of him, you bet!"

Corliss slowly drew a sack of tobacco and papers from his pocket. He
rolled a cigarette and puffed reflectively. Then he laughed. "I'm out
about eighteen hundred. That's the first thing. Next, you're used up
pretty bad and we're short-handed. Then, we're losing time trying to