"Uh-huh; out in th' corral foolin' with th' Captain."
Dick dropped to a chair and pushed his hat back. He looked on the other a moment, then asked: "What time did VB get home last night?"
Jed showed evident surprise, but answered: "Between half-past nine an' ten."
"Notice his horse?"
"Saw him this mornin'. Why?"
"Was it a hard ride th' boy made?"
"No—sure not. I rode th' pony down to th' lower pasture myself this afternoon."
Worth drew a deep breath and smiled as though relieved.
"Bein' 'n officer is mighty onpleasant sometimes," he confessed. "I knew it wasn't no use to ask them questions, but I had to do it—'cause I'm a deputy." With mouth set, Jed waited for the explanation he knew must come.
"Kelly was killed while he slept last night."