The man started when he allowed his eyes to fall upon the face on the card; but recovering his nerve instantly, he laughed harshly and hurriedly snapped: 

“I tell yuh, it’s on the wrong track yuh are, boy.”  Why, I never set eyes on such a person as that thar.  He’s a utter stranger to me, and I don’t know him from Adam.  And I want to warn yuh that I’ll turn around and have the law on yuh for playin’ such a low-down trick on an honest man, just passin’ along through the woods, and never thinkin’ no harm to a single soul.  I demands that yuh turn me loose to go my way.  The woods are free as the air to everybody; that’s the law.  Further than that I ain’t got nawthin’ to say.

Obed was plainly chagrined, as Max could see.  He evidently hoped to obtain some valuable information from this man; but it seemed Jake still clung to the hope that he might obtain his freedom without betraying secrets.

Max, taking advantage of Obed’s absent-mindedness for a minute or so, managed to lean slightly forward and obtain a good look at the photograph.  It was that of a young man, perhaps thirty years of age.  Max was struck with the fact that the photograph certainly bore some little resemblance to Obed himself; and one could easily believe they must be related in some way; which, according to Obed’s former recital of his widely flung family, would make the other a Grimes also.

The woods boy looked at the man several times, as though wondering whether it would pay to make any further offer as an inducement to the other to betray the confidence of his employer.  But either Obed did not have the ready cash to offer a bribe, or else he deemed it not worth while, after the fellow had shown such a stubborn disposition; for presently he gave a sigh, and went back to return the photograph to the little desk, once doubtless Mr. Coombs’ property.

Toby was nodding before the fire, and really paying very little attention to what was going on.  In fact, he meant to crawl into his bunk shortly, so as to get a little more sleep before being called upon to take his turn outside as sentry.  Toby not having had his suspicions concerning Obed aroused at any time, failed to take the same interest in the matter that Steve, for instance, would have done, had he been present.

“I hope yuh don’t mean to make me set here on this bench all night with my hands tied behind me so cruel like?” remarked the man presently, applying his words directly toward Max, as though he, too, had long ago discovered how that energetic young chap seemed to be the “boss of the ranch.”

“Why, no, we don’t mean to be at all cruel,” returned the other.  “Here’s an extra blanket you can have.  I’ll lay it out for you on the floor, and you can drop down just when you please.  But don’t expect that we’re meaning to unfasten your wrists, Jake.  We know a thing or two, and we’re expecting to take you down to Lathrop tomorrow, to land you behind the bars.  You’ve had your chance to squeal and get off scot-free; I doubt if another comes your way.”