He wouldn't trust the Express.

Ha! ha!" The dead, oppressive silence that followed his empty laughter made it seem almost artificial.

Rawlins held his breath and looked at Clinch.
Hale, with the instincts of a refined, sensitive man, turned hot with the embarrassment Clinch should have shown.

For that gentleman, without lifting his eyes from the fire, and with no apparent change in his demeanor, lazily asked-- "Ye didn't ketch the name o' that passenger ?" "Naturally, no! For when Guthrie heard what was said agin him he wouldn't give his name until he heard from him." "And WHAT was said agin him ?" asked Clinch musingly.
"What would be said agin a man that give up that sum o' money, like a chaw of tobacco, for the asking?
Why, there were but three men, as far ez we kin hear, that did the job.

And there were four passengers inside, armed, and the driver and express messenger on the box.