“Now talk fast!” said Rogers.

“About time for you to drop that rotten bluff.  Why, man, I could even tell you jest how much you’ve cost Jim Silent.”

Rogers growled:  “Tell me what’s up.”

“The boys are goin’ for the jail tonight.  They’ll get out Haines an’ string him up.”

“It’s comin’ to him.  He’s played a hard game for a long time.”

“An’ so have you, Rogers, for a damn long time!”

Rogers swallowed the insult, apparently.

“What can I do?” he asked plaintively.  “I’m willin’ to give Silent and his gang a square deal.”

“You should of done something while they was only a half-dozen cowpunchers in town.  Now the town’s full of riders an’ they’re all after blood.”

“An’ my blood if they don’t get Haines!” broke in the deputy sheriff.

Hardy grunted.

“They sure are,” he said.  “I’ve heard ’em talk, an’ they mean business.  All of ’em.  But how’d you answer to Jim Silent, Rogers?  If you let ’em get Haines—­well, Haines is Silent’s partner an’ Jim’ll bust everything wide to get even with you.”

“I c’n explain,” said Rogers huskily.  “I c’n show Silent how I’m helpless.”

Footsteps went up and down the room.

“If they start anything,” said Rogers, “I’ll mark down the names of the ringleaders and I’ll give ’em hell afterwards.  That’ll soothe Jim some.”

“You won’t know ’em.  They’ll wear masks.”

Dan opened the door and stepped into the room.  Rogers started up with a curse and gripped his revolver.

“I never knew you was so fond of gun play,” said Dan.  “Maybe that gun of yours would be catchin’ cold if you was to leave it out of the leather long?”

The sheriff restored his revolver slowly to the holster, glowering.

“An’ Rogers won’t be needin’ you for a minute or two,” went on Dan to Hardy.

They seemed to fear even his voice.  The Wells Fargo agent vanished through the door and clattered down the steps.

“How long you been standin’ at that door?” said Rogers, gnawing his lips.

“Jest for a breathin’ space,” said Dan.

Rogers squinted his eyes to make up for the dimness of the lamplight.

“By God!” he cried suddenly.  “You’re Whistlin’ Dan Barry!”

He dropped into his chair and passed a trembling hand across his forehead.

He stammered:  “Maybe you’ve changed your mind an’ come back for that five thousand?”

“No, I’ve come for a man, not for money.”

“A man?”

“I want Lee Haines before the crowd gets him.”

“Would you really try to take Haines out?” asked Rogers with a touch of awe.

“Are there any guards in the jail?”

“Two.  Lewis an’ Patterson.”

“Give me a written order for Haines.”

The deputy wavered.

“If I do that I’m done for in this town!”

“Maybe.  I want the key for Haines’s handcuffs.”