naby Winthrop, an' I am hyer ter help his nevvy thar, Allen Winthrop. So ye hed better ease yer mind ter onct. Understand?"
The two men turned their attention to Allen curiously. They wished to hold a consultation, but Watson would not permit it.
At that moment Noel Urner came forward, having succeeded in tying all of the horses in a little grove not far distant.
He eyed both of the prisoners keenly, and then gave a start.
"I saw that man in San Francisco!" he ejaculated, pointing to Roe Bluckburn. "He was hanging around the very hotel at which Mr. Barnaby Winthrop stopped."
"It ain't so," growled Bluckburn, but his face proclaimed that Noel Urner had spoken the truth.
"If that is the case, then he is the one who decoyed my uncle away," put in Allen. "For there is no longer any doubt in my mind that he was spirited away in some fashion."
"Air ye fellers goin' ter speak?" roared Ike Watson, impatiently. "Ye can't expect me ter stand hyer with a gun the rest o' the day!"
"Unless you do speak, we shall bind you and hand you over to the sheriff," said Allen. "We
