"
"With what brand?"
Juan had not noticed.
"With the 'K.T.' perhaps?" That was the Lewis brand.
"Perhaps!"
"Where is it now?"
Juan insolently declared that he didn't know and didn't care.
"Oh, you don't, eh?" Law reached for the boy and shook him until
he yelled. "You will make a nice little prisoner, Juanito, and we
shall find a way to make you speak."
Gonzalez was inclined to resent such high-handed treatment of his
underling, but respect for the Rangers was deep-rooted, and Juan's
behavior was inexplicable.
At last the horse-boy confessed. He had seen both horse and rider,
but knew neither. Mr. Austin and the stranger had arrived
together, and the latter had gone on. That was the truth.
"Bueno!" Law released his prisoner, who slunk away rubbing his
shoulder. "Now, Benito, we will find Mr. Austin."
A voice answered from the dusk: "He won't take much finding," and
Ed Austin himself emerged from the stable door. "Well, what do you
want?" he asked.
"You are Mr. Austin, I reckon?"
"I am. What d'you mean by abusing my help?" The master of Las
Palmas approached so near that his threatening scowl was visible.
"I don't allow strangers to prowl around my premises.
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