“Jail’s empty, Kane.  But I reckon we’d better play this deal safe.  Dorgan, the county prosecutor, is in his office.  We’ll go down to see him, an’ I’ll have him make a record of what happened here.  Then, if I happen to get bumped off this here planet them scum can’t come back at you, sayin’ this never came off!”

Lawler accompanied Moreton to the office of the prosecutor, who took the depositions of both men, attested the document and placed it in the office safe.

“So that’s the kind of a dame she is—­eh?” grinned the official.  “Well, she don’t look it.  But you never can tell—­can you?”

CHAPTER XXXII

RED KING RUNS

Sheriff Moreton had left Red King at the livery stable, and after Lawler had thanked the sheriff for his part in the little drama that had just been played, he walked to the stable, saddled and bridled the big horse, mounted and rode out of town, toward the Circle L.

While grim tragedy had lurked over the incident that had just closed, the thing had had its humorous side.  And as Lawler rode he reflected smilingly, though feeling a pulse of shame for Della Wharton.

In spite of the fact that the woman had charged Gary Warden with evolving the plot, Lawler felt nothing but contempt for the man.  Warden’s schemes, so far, had resulted only in discomfiture for Warden himself.  And because Lawler was not vindictive, he entertained no thoughts of reprisal.

However, Lawler was now well equipped with evidence of Warden’s misdeeds.  Months before, he had sent to Metcalf, the editor of the News, in the capital, the story of the drive to Red Rock, embellished with an account of his adventure with Antrim’s gang, his capture of Antrim and the subsequent bringing of the outlaw to Willets, where he had delivered him to Warden.

Metcalf had written him that the publication of the article had created a sensation in the state, and it appeared from the prominent position in which Metcalf had placed the story—­on the front page, with a picture of Lawler dominating; and big, black headlines announcing: 

“PROMINENT CATTLEMAN WORSTS TRAIL HORDE!”—­that Metcalf had kept his promise to the effect that he intended to “feature” his fight against the power that was attempting to control the cattle industry.

So far, though, Lawler had no evidence that the governor’s power had been used against them.  He was convinced that Warden, Jordan, Simmons, and the others were employing their talents against him with the secret approval of the governor; but until he secured absolute, damning evidence he dared not openly charge it.

Lawler had been waiting patiently for such evidence.  He had felt all along that sooner or later his enemies would over-reach themselves, leaving some weak spot through which he could attack, and he had been content to wait until that time, merely defending himself and his interests, planning no aggressive campaign.