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Rathburn warded him off, keeping the package at arm's length away. "Just hold your horses," he said coldly. "I reckon I know what I'm doing. You don't trust me now, an' I ain't goin' to take any chances with you. I'm goin' to open this an' show you that the money's there, that's all; I'm goin' to show you that I'm giving you back what you gave me all fair an' square." Sautee's face was ashen.
Perspiration again stood out on Sautee's forehead as he watched Rathburn cut off a foot of the fuse. "That's better," said Rathburn with a queer smile. "That'll burn about a minute. Time enough." Sautee stared in horrified fascination at the foot of fuse which stuck straight out from the box of dynamite in the doorway. "What what are you going to do?" he gasped out.
To the left, under the towering peaks of the divide, the rounded crest of the hogback was discernible, and a black spot marked the location of Mannix's automobile. "There's a car over there," said Rathburn, noting the direction of Sautee's gaze. Almost directly below them a number of mounted men filed over a ridge and again disappeared in the timber. Off to the right more horsemen were to be seen.
Here's the money. I didn't go right on to the mine for fear they'd find out their mistake an' pot me from the timber. This is the money you gave me, minus the seals an' the string an' box. I wanted you to see that I was on the square." Sautee's eyes were bulging. "Give me that," he gulped out. "Why don't you want me to take it to the mine?" asked Rathburn in surprise.
"An' I got peevish at Carlisle an' plumb suspicious when he tried to make things look bad for me right there at the start. I began to wise up to the whole lay when you got me out of jail." Sautee's face went white again. "Your fine explanations of why you couldn't get that money up to the mine were thin as water, Sautee.
"Listen, Sautee," said Rathburn coolly. "When that stick of powder explodes it'll set off the box an' the other boxes, an' instead of a powder house here there'll be a big hole in the side of the mountain." "Man man you're not going to do that!" Sautee's words came in a hoarse whisper.
Now I'm double crossing the two of you." Sautee's look had changed to one of anger. He glared at Rathburn, forgetting his predicament. "You'd have a fine time proving any of this nonsense," he found the courage to say.
I'm banking on your ability to get through, and I think the proposition will appeal to you in a sporting way if for no other reason. Will you do it?" Sautee's eyes were eager. "Yes," said Rathburn shortly, tossing away his cigarette. Sautee held out his hand. "Go to the hotel and engage a room," he instructed. "Be in your room at nine o'clock to-night. Do not tell any one of our deal.
The wording of the note was a bit complicated, but it bore Sautee's signature. It was at least evidence that there had been an agreement. "Everything set?" asked Sautee. "All cinched up an' ready to go," replied Rathburn. "How soon you going to start?" asked Sautee as he unlocked the door. "By midnight," Rathburn answered. Sautee held out his hand before he slipped out of the door and was gone.
"One of the accomplices," he said briefly to Sautee, as he put the lad down and loosened the shirt at the throat. "He'll come around in a minute." Sautee's eyes were popping from his head. He leaned back upon the cases of dynamite and passed a clammy hand over his brow. "I've got Carlisle, too," said Rathburn. "Takin' it all around from under it ain't a bad morning's haul."
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