"Don't get up!" said Collie quietly. "I never killed a man--but I'm going to, quick, if you lift a finger."
Saunders kept still. Collie stepped round behind him. "Now, get up, slow," he commanded.
When Saunders was on his feet, Collie reached forward and secured his gun.
"I'll send your check to the store," said Louise, addressing Saunders. "I shall tell Mr. Stone that I discharged you. I don't believe I had better tell the men about this."
"Beat it, Saunders," said Collie, laughing. "You are leaving here afoot, which suits me fine. Red would be plumb happy to know it."
"Red's goin' to walk into my lead some of these days."
"That's some day. This is to-day," said Collie.
Saunders, turning, gazed covetously at the pinto Rally. Collie saw, and smiled. "I missed twice. The third trick is goin' to be mine. Don't you forget that, Mister Kid," said Saunders.
"Oh, you here yet?" said Collie; and he was not a little gratified to notice that Saunders limped as he struck off down the trail.
Louise drew off her gauntlets and tossed them on the rock. Collie saw the print of Saunders's fingers on her wrist and forearm. "I ought to 'a' made him kneel down and ask you to let him live!" he said.
"I was afraid--at first. Then I was just angry. It was sickening to see the marks grow red and swell on his face. I hit him as hard as I could, but I'm not sorry."
"Sorry?" growled Collie. "He takes your brand with him. He didn't get the letter. I got to thank you a whole lot for that."
"But how did he know I had it? What did he want with the letter?"
"He saw me give it to you. He's one of the bunch, the Mojave bunch that's been trailing Red all over the country. When Red disappeared up in those desert hills, I reckon Saunders must have got hold of a paper and read about the get-away here at the Moonstone. He just naturally came over here and got a job to see if he couldn't trace Red."
"You are thinking of joining Mr. Summers at the claim?"
"Yes. The Eastern folks are gone now. I hate to go. But I got to get busy and make some money. A fellow hasn't much of a show without money these days."
Louise was silent. She sat gazing across the valley.
Collie approached her hesitatingly. "I just got to say it--after all that's happened. Seems that I could, now."