But there's a law about brands.
"Your dad registered his brand--the Double A.

But that don't let you out.

Accordin' to the law you've got to do your registerin' same as though the brand had never been registered before.

Bein' the only law around here--me bein' a deputy sheriff--I've got to look out for that end of it.
"An' so, if you'll just sign this here blank, with your name and address, specifyin' your brand, why, we'll call it all settled." And he held out a legal-looking paper toward Sanderson.
Sanderson's lips straightened, for as his eyes met Dale's he saw the latter's glint with a cold cunning.

For an instant Sanderson meditated, refusing to accept the paper, divining that Dale was concealing his real purpose; but glancing sidewise he caught a swift wink from Owen, who had drawn near and was standing beside a porch column.