The Texan grinned.  “That isn’t quite the point, is it?” he drawled.  “If I should be successful, you will achieve a reputation, without any cost to yourself.  That’s worth mentioning,”

Hilliard showed a momentary embarrassment.

“That’s incidental.  Besides, it will help your reputation more than mine "

Brandt got busy at once with the details of the escape.  “We’ll loosen up the mortar round the bars in the south room.  They are so rickety anyhow I haven’t kept any prisoners there for years.  After you have squeezed through you will find a horse saddled in the draw, back here.  You’ll want a gun of course.”

“Always providing Lieutenant Fraser consents to the arrangement,” the lawyer added smoothly.

“Oh, I’ll consent,” laughed Fraser wryly.  “I have no option.  Of course, if I win I get the reward—­ whatever it is.”

“Oh, of course.”

“Then I’m at your service, gentlemen, to escape whenever you say the word.”

“The best time would be right after lunch.  That would give you five hours before Nichols was in here again,” the sheriff suggested.

“Suppose you draw a map, showing the route I’m to follow to reach Cedar Mountain.  I reckon I had better not trouble folks to ask them the way.”  And the Texan grinned.

“That’s right.  I’ll fix you up, and tell you later just where you’ll find the horse,” Brandt answered.

“You’re an officer yourself, lieutenant,” said the lawyer.  “You know just how much evidence it takes to convict.  Well, that’s just how much we want.  If you have to communicate with us, address ’T.  L. Meredith, Box 117.’  Better send your letter in cipher.  Here’s a little code I worked out that we sometimes use.  Well, so-long.  Good hunting, lieutenant.”

Fraser nodded farewell, but did not offer to shake hands.

Brandt lingered for an instant.  “Don’t make any mistake, Fraser, about this job you’ve bit off.  It’s a big one, and don’t you forget it.  People are sore on me because I have fallen down on it.  I can’t help it.  I just can’t get the evidence.  If you tackle it, you’ll be in danger from start to finish.  There are some bad men in this country, and the worst of them are lying low in Lost Valley.”

The ranger smiled amiably.  “Where is this Lost Valley?”

“Somewhere up in the Cedar Mountain district.  I’ve never been there.  Few men have, for it is not easy to find; and even if it were strangers are not invited.”

“Well, I’ll have to invite myself.”

“That’s all right.  But remember this.  There are men up there who would drill holes in a dying man.  I guess Lost Valley is the country God forgot.”

“Sounds right interesting.”

“You’ll find it all that, and don’t forget that if they find out what you are doing there, it will be God help Steve Fraser!”

The ranger’s eyes gleamed.  “I’ll try to remember it.”