Both men turned to confront a horseman who was coming rapidly toward
them, and as he came closer Toban cried out in surprise:
"Ed Bernse!" he said; "what in thunder are you doin' here?"
"Trailin' a jail breaker!" said the latter. "That copper-skinned
weazel we had in there slipped out some way. He stole a horse an' come
in this direction. Got an hour's start of me!"
Calumet laughed shortly and turned to the new-made excavation, making a
thorough examination of it.
At its bottom was a square impression, a mold such as would be left by
the removal of a box. Calumet stood up and grinned at Toban.
"The idol's gone," he said. "Telza's got it. You go back to Lazette,"
he said to Bernse, "an' tell the man who owns the horse that Calumet
Marston will be glad to pay for it--he's that damned glad he's got rid
of the idol."
Followed by Bernse, Calumet and Toban returned to the ranchhouse. When
they neared it they were met by Dade and Malcolm, bearing between them
the body of Neal Taggart. Calumet directed them to the clearing,
telling them briefly what they would find there, and then, with Toban
and Bernse, continued on to the ranchhouse.
Bernse hesitated at the door. "I reckon I'll be lightin' out for
town," he said to the sheriff.
"Wait," said the sheriff; "I'll be goin' that way myself, directly.
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