The Spectator., 1915-11-05

Warrant"
 There was no one in sight. Softly, almost stealthily, he crept up to the wagon. fetched out from its wooden case a small violin, sat down with his back to the wheel and began to play. Suddenly the bow rested motionless. A look of fear came into his face. He sprang up. The cowboys were all stealing from the other side of the wagon. They had arrived and dis mounted without his hearing them. He sprang to his feet and began to stammer apologies. Long Jim's hand was laid firmly upon his shoulders.
 Say, cookie, you don't need to look so scared. You ain't done noth ing wrong. Me and the boys, we like your music. Sing us another tune on that fddle!"
 The cook looked at him for a mo- ment incredulously. Then he real ized that the cowboy was in earnest. He picked up the bow and commenced to play again. They sat around him, wondering, absolutely absorbed. No one even made move towards the food. It was Craig who led them there at last himself, still playing. Long Jim threw his arm almost caress- ingly around his shoulder.
 Say, cookie" he began, there ain't never no questions asked concerning the past history of the men who find bag itict c they don't play the game yellow. May be you've fitted up nice little hell for yourself somewhere, but we ain't none of us hankering to know the address. You're white and you're one of us and any time any guy wants to charge you rent for the little hell where you got the furniture of your conscience stored, why, you just let us settle with him, that's all.'
 The interruption which came was from outside.
 More of these d-d tourists" Long Jim muttered. Women, tool"
 Craig turned his head slowly. Quest was in the act of dismounting from his horse. By his side was the pro- lessor; just behind, Lenora and Laura. Long Jim greeted them with rough cordiality.
 Say, what are you folks looking tor?' he demanded.
 Quest pointed to Craig.
 We want that man." ne announced. This Is Inspector French from New York. l am Sanford Quest.
 There was tense silence. Craig covered his face with his hands. then suddenly looked up.
 T won't come,'' he cried tiercely. You've bounded me all around the world. am innocent l won't come.
 Quest shrugged his shoulders. He took a step forward, but Long Jim, as though by accident. sauntered In the way.
 Got a warrant?" he asked tersely.
 "We don't need it. Quest replied. Hes our man. right enough"
 Right this minute hes our cook drawled Long Jim. and we ain't ex- actly particular about going hungry just to please a bunch of strangers. Cut 1t short. mister. If you ain't got warrant. you ain't got this man."
 "All right" Quest agreed. "The in- spector here and Will soon see to that. We'll ride back to the town ship. With your permission. the ladies and our elderly friend will remain for a rest"
 You're welcome to anything we've got except our cook" Jim replied, turning away.
 Darkness came early and the little company grew closer and closer to the camp fire. where Craig had once more taken up his violin. The professor had wandered off somewhere into the darkness and the girls were seated Q little apart. They had been treated hospitably but coldly. Don't seem to cotton to us, these boys" Laura remarked. They don't like us," Lenora replied, because they think we are after Craig. wonder what Long Jim has been whispering to him. and what that paper is he has been showing Craig. Do you know how far we are from the Mexican border?" Not more than five or six miles, believe" Laura replied. Lenora rose softly to her feet and strolled to the back of the range wagon. In a few moments she reap peared, carrying a piece of paper in her hand. She stopped down. "Craig's saddling up," she whis- psred. Look what he dropped" She held out the paper. on which was traced roughly drawn map. That lines the river that marks the Mexican border" she explained