Don't let them know in the house," came the reply.

And the Dean was gone.
The little company of horsemen, with Patches in their midst, had reached the scene of the shooting, and had made their simple preparations.

From that moment when they had covered him with their guns as he stepped through the corral gate, he had not spoken.
"Well, sir," said the spokesman, "have you anything to say before we proceed ?" Patches shook his head, and wonderingly they saw that curious mocking smile on his lips.
"I don't suppose that any remarks I might make would impress you gentlemen in the least," he said coolly.

"It would be useless and unkind for me to detain you longer than is necessary." An involuntary murmur of admiration came from the circle.

They were men who could appreciate such unflinching courage.
In the short pause that followed, the Dean, riding as he had not ridden for years, was in their midst.