“Indeed I should.  I understand he is a most remarkable man, that he has performed many deeds of valor.”

“Pray stop!” laughed Conway.  “You actually make me blush.”

The outfit gazed at the visitor inquiringly.

“Now that you have said so much I am going to confide another little secret to you.  I’m McKay.”

“What?  Not Captain McKay, the leader of the Rangers?”

“The same.”

Professor Zepplin thrust a brown hand across the table, grasping the hand of their visitor.

“Well, this is indeed a surprise.  I can’t begin to tell you how glad we are to see you,” answered the professor with enthusiasm.

“Same to you, pardner,” grinned the captain.  “You see I didn’t want to open up too freely until I was sure to whom I was talking.  Of course if you and Withem are cahoots, it’s all right.”

“It certainly is all right.   We had the pleasure of being of some
service to Lieutenant-----”

“Ouch!” howled Stacy.  Tad had tipped the pot of hot coffee into the fat boy’s lap, and for a few moments confusion reigned.

“Don’t talk too much,” whispered Butler leaning over to brush away some drops that had fallen on the professor’s shirt.

“Eh?  Eh?  What’s that?”

Tad was embarrassed.  He began speaking of something else.  Professor Zepplin did not repeat his question.

“I understand my men picked up a fellow named Dunk Tucker a night ago?” asked the captain.

“Yes, yes, indeed.  Mr. Butler there is the one who is really responsible for the capture of Tucker, however.”

“You don’t say!” wondered the visitor.

“Exactly.  Tad, will you tell the captain how you came to capture the man Tucker?”

“If you will pardon me, I would rather not.”

“He’s too modest.  I’ll tell you about it,” chimed in Stacy Brown.  Stacy, once wound up, would continue to operate until he had run down.  He told the whole story from beginning to end, including the fact that he himself had been wounded twice, ere he stopped.

“Fine, fine!” The captain leaned back and laughed uproariously.  “You are a funny boy.  I wish I had you with me.  I could teach you a lot about dodging bullets.”

“I’m a pretty good dodger already or I shouldn’t be here at this minute,” answered the fat boy pompously.

“Where did they take the prisoner?  Are you informed as to that?” asked the captain.

“They took him to El Paso, I believe,” replied Professor Zepplin.  “I thought you were aware of what had been done.”

“I got wind of something of the sort.  You see I have been away in another part of the state on a secret mission for the Governor.”

“Exactly.”

“Did my men say where they were going before they left you this morning?”

“No.  As I have said, they left most mysteriously.”

“Which direction did they take?”