"Stow the funny business, Ashby!" came the advice from the crowd. "You
can't fool us into believing that you're crazy."
"Crazy?" repeated the hotel man, a look of amazement creeping into his
face. "Of course I'm not crazy. I'm the only sane man in this crowd."
Men began to look wonderingly at the hotel man, though many still
believed that Ashby was cleverly shamming insanity in order to save his
neck from being stretched.
"Doe Furniss! Come over here!" called Reade. "Gentlemen, this is a
question for Doe Furniss. Don't think of doing anything to the fellow
until you've heard from Doc. Make way for the doctor, gentlemen."
At a sign from Dr. Furniss the captors led Ashby's horse onward until
the office shack was reached. Here two men freed the captive from his
horse and led him inside. Dr. Furniss followed them and the door was
closed.
"Let's get away from here," urged Tom Reade. "A big crowd hanging about
is sure to excite the poor fellow."
"Reade, you're too soft and easy," grunted a Paloma man in the crowd.
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