CIHM Microfiche Series (■Monographs) ICMH Coliection de microfiches (monographies) Canadian Instituta for Historical IMieroraproductions / Institut Canadian da microraproductions liistoriquaa TiM ImtitMM hM MlMliplid to 4 □ ColMN«d MVWt/ C o w wftMwdt n COMTS □ Covin fwlorad Miwbr ItmiMlMl/ □ Cowf titit miMiiis/ Utitra*« □ Coleiirad maps/ C«r«n(' nColoitrad ink (U. othar than bhM or Naefc)/ Eneia da aoi i la y f (i^. autra q«a Maua ou noira) Cotowiad platM and/or illuitrations/ Plancfiai at/ou ilUittrations an eoiilaur Bound with othar material/ Rali* avae d'antrtt deeumanti r~T\ Ti#it bindini may eauM liiadoim or di » tortion Slonf JfltBfiOf HMffHl/ La r«liurt atrrte pant ONntr dt Tombrt ou dt U OMtOfliOfl m lOflf 09 W IMfOi ifitiriMm n n dwrinf laitoration may i witliin tha taxt. WThanavar poatiMa. baan omitiad from fiimins/ II ta paut qua cana i na i paiai Waneh Ion d'una raitawration appariimnt dam la taxta. mai>, lonqua eala MaitponiMa. aas paga* n'ont pa*Mfilm«at. Additional eommanis:/ Commantairas MipplAmantairat: This itam it f ihnad at tha raduetion ratio thacltad Ca documant att f ilm« au taux dt riduetion indiq u* ^ox ux lax d 12X liX aox L HMitiM amiarofilmA la MaM qu'll raaraduiiB au aui dantlamMi^to r*~1 Colowrad papal/ D n and/or laaMnaiad/ ai/oH paNiauMai MBinadorfoiMd/ HShomrthroufh/ ■ H Quality of print wariat/ Qualit* in«tala da I'imprattion □ Continuow pagination/ fafination continua □ Indudtt indaxlat)/ Co m prand un (dat) indax Tida on h t a d t r takan from:/ La titn da I'an-tlta proviant: I I Titia papa of iitua/ H§t da titra da la livraiton Caption of ittua/ Titra da dipart da la livraiton Giniriqua (piriodiquat) da la livraiton 22X 2SX 30X 2«X 2tX 32X Th* copy filmad tmn has bMn raproduMd thanks to th* QMMroaity of : National Library of Canada L'axamplairo film* fut reproduit grioa * la g«n4roolt« da: BibliotMqua nationala du Canada Tha Imagaa appearing haro ara ttia bast quality possibis consMsrlng ths condition ond Isgibiltty of ths originol copy ond in hssping whh ths filming eontrsct spscHlestions. Originsi copiss in printsd papar covsrs srs fNmsd bsginning with ths front eovsr snd snding on ths isst psgs wHh s printsd or iilustratad impras- ■ion. or tha baelt covsr whsn spproprists. All othsr originsi copiss srs filmsd bsginning on ths first paga with a printad or Mlustrstsd imprss- sion, snd snding on ths Isst psgs with s printsd or Mlustrstsd imprsssion. Ths Isst rseordsd frsms on ssch microfichs ■hsil eontoin ths symbol ^ (mssning "CON- TINUED"), or ths symbol y (mssning "END"), whichsvsr sppllss. Msps, pistss. chsrts, stc. msy bs filmsd st diffsrsnt rsduction rstios. Thoss too isrgs to bs sntirsly included in ons sxposurs srs filmsd bsginning in ths uppsr isft hsnd comsr, Isft to right snd top to bottom, ss msny frsmss ss rsquirsd. Ths following disgrsms iliustrsts ths msthod: Lss imsgss suhisntss ont 4t« rsprodultss svsc is plus grsnd soln, compts tsnu ds Is condition st ds Is nsttsti ds I'sxsmplsirs film*, st sn conformiti svsc lss conditions du contrst ds fNmsgs. Lss sxsmplslrss orlginsux dont is couvsrturs sn psplsr sst imprimis sont filmte sn commsnpsnt psr Is prsmisr pist st sn tsrmlnsnt soft psr Is dsmMrs psgs qui comports uns smprslnts d'imprssslon ou dlNustrstion, soit psr Is ascond plot, sslon Is CSS. Tous lss sutrss sxsmplsirss orlginsux sont fllm4s sn commsn^snt psr Is prsml*rs psgs qui comports uns smprslnts d'imprssslon ou d'illustrstion st sn tsrmlnsnt psr Is dsmMrs psgs qui comports uns tsUs smprslnts. Un dss symboiss sulvsnts sppsrsttrs sur is dsml*rs imsgs ds chsqus microfichs. sslon is ess: Is symbols -^ signifis "A 8UIVRE". is symbols Y signifis "FIN". Lss csrtss, pisnchss. tsbissux. stc. psuvsnt ttrs fiimto A dss tsux ds r«duction diffSrsnts. Lorsqus Is document sst trop grsnd pour Mrs rsproduit sn un ssui clich«. il sst fHm« i psrtir ds I'sngis supMsur gsuchs, ds gsuchs i droits, st ds hsut sn bss, sn prsnsnt Is nombrs d'Imsgss n«cssssirs. Lss disgrsmmss suhfsnts iiiustrsnt is methods. 12 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 • w oMCorv mouinoN mr chait (ANSI and ISO TIST CHART No. 2) 1.1 ■ai2j 111 IM U IM IM IM 1:25 I U^ U A /1 PPLIED IM/1GE inc 1693 EoM Main Stra** neeiiMtar, Nm York 14609 USA (716) 482 -0300- Phon. (716) Sn - 9669 - Foil "WHAT I WANT-i TAKE " Avn ^^^^^fS^" pS?50J El(55 SfoS Ifot ! » ■atwtd Moordlng to Aot of tha Pwllameiit of Oauda. In the year on* tbooMUid nine luuiaroa •ad six, by tlw Pools Publuhiho Oompaiit, LmraD, Toronto, at the Depnrtmant of Agrl- enltnre. THIS BOOK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO MY MOTHER CONTENTS I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. Th» Bncovntbk *' Tmi Stowaway .......,'* ' Iw Which 0lbn«S7m Bkm . ** Thi Killing * * ** Whbkbin a Man AmlM . * " And a Minb is Jvmfbd * Thb "Bbonco Kid'." EAVB.DBOPPINO ; [ ' H Dbxtby Mabbs a Call « Slvicb Robbbbs Thb Wit or an Advbntubbis '* Whbbbin A Wbit AND A Riot Pail .' .' " [Z COUNTBBPLOTS. . . • "O IhWhichaMani.'po.s..„i;o;aD.v;.; Z A Midnight Mbssbnobr . *! ViGILANTB.. . . '" Thb Dbip of Watbr in thb Dabb . „. Whbbbin A Tbap I. Baitbd. . 'I Dynaiiitb '^^ In Which Thb.b ^^,^0* thb Sign op thb Slbd ''' AND but Two Rbturn Thb Hamiibr-Lock ...'.'.*.**'** **' Thb Promisb op Drbams *** 300 THE SPOILERS CHAPTER I THB BNCOVNTBB Witt the l«bt. of Mwhored Aip,, then up .t th. crenetoted mountaint, black againit the >tr H. drank the cool air buriened with i^STof *e ^ mv «;.^»™^"^'' ^ ""nnured, "and thi. i, my country— my country, after aU, Dex Ifa in myv«n.. thi. hunger for th. North. I^/*l*e^ "Careful you don't buat," warned Dextry "I've ^nd"°.i.'* f^" -^^^ •» nmmuin afc Don't <«pand too strong in one .pot." He went ^k ^^1 '^Z^'^ »' tt» «ir'. too tonic qtS^'^ GadI What a «nudgel" sniffed the yoLrer man You ought to be in quarantine." ' ' Id ruther smell like a man than talk like a kid You desecrate the hour of meditation with a1^^ I' THB SPOILBKS OT^nature when your ssthetics ain't honed up to the beauties of good tobacco." ^ The other laughed, inflaung his deep chest. In the gloom he stretched his muscles restlLly. as tWh an excess of vigor filled him. ^^ tJ^Z ""tl^ ^°"°«^°« «Poa the dock, while before them lay the Santa Maria ready for her midnieht «ulmg. Behind slept Unalaska. quaint, anti^e fnd Russian rustmg amid the fogs of Bering Sea. ^^ere among the old bronze cannon, now a frenzied horde of gold-seekenj paused m their rush to the new El Dorado They had come like a locust cloud, thousands strong,* settling on the edge of the Smoky Sea, waiting the going of the ice that barred them from their Golden Fleece-from Nome the new, where men found fort- une in a night. The mossy hills back of the village were ridged with graves of those who had died on the out-trip the fall before, when a plague had gripped the land-but what of that? Gold glittered in the sands, so said the survivors; therefore men came in annies. Glen- ister and Dextry had left Nome the autumn previous, the young man raving with fever. Now they returned to their own land. "This air whets every animal instinct in me," Glemster broke out again. "Away from the cities I f^JfoTIXmg/' "' '"' °'' "'^^^^'^ passions-the "Mebbe you'll have a chance." "How so?" n,n3«"' %^ *^'. "^/^' ^ "^^^ ^^'^^o MulUns this mormn. You mmd old Mexico, don't you? The a THE ENCOUNTER l^^s^"!^"^ °^'"y <^^^ <» Anvil C«.k inJ 7°!* ^"^'^ '"'"° "•«* 'tin-horn' the boys wet. o^ ing to lynch for claim-jumping ?" « "^y »«» go- good t.m"?l Remember me tellin' you about , "C^ done h.m once down Guadalupe way?" __ Greaser shooting-scrape, wasn't it ?" ^ fat; M^LiWn"'Jt "t^'l '"* '^ "«" "*'» «ettin' P>a;^n''bith ends' ^nleZr^'M^^J"' '"' di'mon's fit to handle'Jth t-tr^"- ^ ""^ '<»* cen|^yoir'S--:t,^^^^^^^^^^ - s;.. nritnu-t-hai'tti^'--^^^^^^^^ ^f^i,^r.^tr-Mo«;-£F-^^^^^ It ain t comin' to me.' savs I 'Tt,«*» t. '"Listen here,' says he a^Lllr.' k * ' ? ^^S^^^^^'' I let him run on ' ^""^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ earnest, -HaMTelt^^i;^^ r%^^f t^? o' youm atr run last faU, they'd c^ght to b/^ ir "^^ °^* "^« ^^^ "•How much -U you dLn «n ^1,'^"'°'' "^^^ ^'^ ^^•' ;;:^out four hunZitr^^^rwItT^^^^ .ot tf i;e« ^^ a-poppii^t youVe snake. Don't nevef W 't^T.^ ""^'^^ * '^t^^- you're down an' out ' ^^* ^ ^^"P °° it or Me.^::^Ta^Jrylr"*^*--^- We ^^ What do you mean?' savs I. cant ten you nothin' more. I'n. puttin' a m hi' THE SPOILBIS string on my own neck, sayin' this much. You're a square man, Bill, an' I'm a gambler, but you saved my life oncet, an' I wouldn't steer you wrong. For God's sake, don't let 'em jump your ground, that's all.' '"Let who jump it? Congress has give us judges an' courts an' marshals—' I begins. '"That's jost it. How you goin' to buck that hand? Them's the best cards in the deck. There's a man comin' by the name of McNamara. Watch hma^ clost. I can't teU you no more. But don't never let 'em get a grip on your ground.* That's all he'd say." "Bahl He'scrazyl I wish somebody would try to jump the Midas; we'd enjoy the exercise." The siren of the Santa Maria interrupted, its hoarse warning throbbing up the mountain. "We'll have to get aboard," said Dextry. " Sh-h I What's that ?" the other whispered. At first the only sound they heard was a stir from the deck of the steamer. Then from the water below them came the rattle of rowlocks and a voice cautiously muffled. "StopI Stoptherel" A skiff burst from the darkness, grounding on the beach beneath. A figure scrambled out and up the ladder leading to the wharf. Immediately a second boat, plainly in pursuit of the first one, struck on the beach behind it. As the escaping figure mounted to their level the watchers perceived with amazement that it was a young woman. Breath sobbed from her lungs, and, stumbling, she would have fallen but for Glenister,' who ran forward and helped her to her feet. 4 THE BlfCOUNTBR "Don't let them get me," she panted. ttie landmg ladder up which the pursuers we,^ climb- " J>«t a mtouto-you therel Back up or I'll idcV y^face m." D«try', voice was sh.^ and uTex^ bo I jedge. ' "She broke qu " "Shut upl" broke in another. "Do you want to advertise it ? Get out of the way, th^^e^^^a^^t,^ aimb up. Thorsen." He spoke Uke a bucKte andhis words stirred the bile of Dextry ' burthToif^^"^ *^' ^°"^ ^°°'' t'yi^g to climb up, but the old miner stamped on his fibers and the mi^'Ji^h v"'.^^^'? "^*^ ^ y«"' cai^Tthe under men with him to the beach in his fall , "This way! Follow me 1" shouted 'the mate mak- marKeo, chey 11 be here in a minute." c , ,V ^^^' ^®* "^ 8^°^ I «^"st get aboard the Santa M She's leaving now. Cc^e, S^eP Glemster laughed, as thou.eh there were a humorous touch m her remark, but did not stir. ^^^^^^ I m gettin' awful old an' stiff to run " said Dextrv Z?:ml''^ -ckinaw "but I aUoTi a?n1?^"*5d for a httle diyepion m the way of a rough-house when It comes nosm' around." He moved ifghtinh^S S THE SPOILBIS the girl could see in 1 e half-darkness that his hair was silvery. I' What do you mean» ' she questioned, sharply. "You hurry along, miss; we'll toy with 'em till you're aboard." They stepped across to the dock- house, backing against it. The girl followed. Again came the warning blast from the steamer, and the voice of an officer: "Clear away that stem linel" "Oh, we'll be leftl" she breathed, and somehow it struck Glenister that she feared this more than the men whose approaching feet he heard. ^^ " You can make it all right," he urged her, roughly. "You'il :et hurt if you stay here. Run ftlong and don't mind us. We've been thirty days on ship- board, and were praying for something to happen." His voice was boyishly glad, as if he exulted in the fray that was to come; and no sooner had he spoken than the sailors came out of the darkness upon them. During the space of a few heart-beats there was only a tangle of whirling forms with the sotind of fist on flesh, then the blot split up and forms plunged out- ward, faUing heavily. Again the sailors rushed, at- tempting to cUnch. They massed upon Dextry only to grasp empty air, for he shifted with remarkable agiUty, striking bitterly, as an old wolf snaps. It was bafflmg work, however, for in the darkness his blows fell short or overreached. Glenister, on the other hand, stood carelessly, beat ing the men off as they came to him. He laughed gloatingly, deep in his throat, as though the encounter were merely some rough sport. The girl shuddered, for the desperate silence of the attacking men terrified 6 THB ENCOUNTER ag^i^rS^e^^aV '^' *"' ^^ '"^ ^**^«^' --^^«^ ^i^ ^♦K i!- ^^"i"^- ^"^^""^^y ^^ antagonist grappled with him, and they fell to the floor, while a third man shuffled about them. The girl throttled a scream. hoarsely ' Le' me fix 'im." He swung his heavy shoe^nd BiU cursed with stirring eloquence. ^ Ow! You're kickin' me! I've got 'im safe enough. Tackle the big un." Bill's aUy then started towards the others, his body bent, his anns flexed yet hanging loosely. He crouch- ed beside the girl ignoring her, while she heard the 1.^ wheezing from his lungs; then silently he leaped^ Glemster had hurled a man from him, then stepped back to avoid the others, when he was seizS from behind and felt the man's arms wrapped about ^s neck, the saUor's legs locked about his thiXs ^r^""" *^\^'!'' ^""^ ^owledge of real fighting. to L^nH-^r ^^tu^"^ ^^"'^ ^° ^^"^^^y ^"twilled L to be mdistinguishable. the others holding off. For what seemed many minutes they struggled, the young against the wall near her and she heard her champion's breath coughmg in his throat at the tightening^p of InZ t ^ °^««^thus. A moment and Glenister would be down beneath their stamping feet—thev would kick his Ufe out with their hSw shoes It Wn 1'*; *'' ""'^^'^ °' ^^*^- smTtetrVa Wow m the face. Her terror feU away, her shaking 7 '^i TBB SPOILBIS .Ji^""^'* ^'"»" to her. She reached out « tST^ 1^ by the hair, while her dnget,. t^ !L fh^^,! '~'- ^' '°"° y«"«* " «»dden tenor: and the others as suddenly feU back. The natt in .tant she fdt a hand up<i he- d.o«ld« ^nHlart Dextry's voice. "«»ra 1«ft"''J'^'f^ ^°/ Come on, then, or we'U get i«H «io '^j^* "^""^^y' ^^'^^^^ ^« ^««tl^ ^w loud, and, glancing down, she saw the huddled fonn of the sailor whom he had fought. 1 '"^^*'«*" "gh*-*e ain't hurt. It's a Jap trick I learned. Hurry upl" *' *^ They ran swiftly down the wharf. foUowed by Glenister and by the groans of the sailors ^wh<S the lust for com^ at had been quenched. As th^ shambled up the Santa Marians gang-plank, a strip of water widened between the boat and tihe pi;r. Close shave, that," panted Glenister. feeling his throat gingerly, "but I Tiouldn't have missed it for a spotted pup. ' "I've been through b'iler explosions and snow- slides, not to mention a triflin' jail-deUvery, but fer real sprightly diversions I don't recall nothin' more "^ *^° *^-" ^«t»y's enthusiasm was boylike. What kmd of men are you?" the girl laughed nervously, but got no answer. They led her to their deck cabin, where they switch- ed on the electric Kght, blinking at each other and at tneir tmknown giiest. They saw a graceful and altogether attractive 8 figure III hi TBB BNCODNTBR r, " .^i»''<"» ""rt «nd long, tan boot.. But what Glenuiterfimsawwashereye.; large and gray alm«t snowed no sign of her recent ordeal. fhol/'if *' ^ ^° prepared for the typo of beautv that follows the frontier- h«.a«*x, ♦»,-* ocauty ««! 1 ' ^ " ^*^ *^« calm, reposeful face atmrt « note almost painfully diSmr^tfrST^ struck a Jure adnurabon alone was patent in the older man's 'I make oration." sail! >!• «•♦»,«* . Httle chap I ever foiehTov^' iJ^l^'^" *"" 8'™"* Whafs the troubl^?' ^"- ""^- '"J'"' ^ white. y-^t" he':?d:?,^r'^c'nr ' "'r '- hel^t^^^^lt^'^'^'*"""^'™- He thought THB SPOILBIS "No, no! I don't want you to do that. Thty multtn't see me to-night. I know I'm acting strangely and all that, but it's happened so quickly I haven't found myself yet. I'll tell you to-morrow, though, really. Don't let any one see me or it will spoil every- thing. Wait till to-morrow, please." She was very white, and spoke with eager intensity. "Help you? Why, sure Mike!" assured the impul- sive Dextry, "an', see here, Miss — ^you take your time on explanations. We don't care a cuss what you done. Morakt ain't our long suit, 'cause ' there's never a law of God or man runs north of Fifty-three,' as the poetry man remarked, an' he couldn't have spoke truer if he'd knowed what he was sayin*. Everybody is privileged to ' look out ' his own game up here. A square deal an' no questions asked." She looked somewhat doubtful at this till she caught the heat of Glenister's gaze. Some boldness of his look brought home to her the actual situation, and a stain rose in he. cheek. She noted him more carefully; noted hL< heavy shoulders and ease of bearing, an ease and looseness begotten of perfect muscular control. Strength was equally suggested in his face, she thought, for he carried a marked young countenance, with thrusting chin, aggressive thatching brows, and mobile mouth that whispered all the changes from strength to abandon. Prominent was a look of reckless energy. She considered him handsome in a heavy, virile, per- haps too purely physical fashion. "You want to stowaway?" he asked. "I've had a right smart experience in that line," said Dextry, "but I never done it by proxy. What's your plan?" lO THB BKCODRTBK !>«• and toft. <»» »: Jef But tbqr nutuni I getting into? Why dJ^L, w^''"^- What .„, Jnght«,ed. Oh, r„^«,^7" ^ •? « me? r„ •he rose wearilv Th. i """"took it." At lut «t the '>^%r^J°^s:^^yP'^ ^; !S Ae rtepped forth into he nSi ^"^ °"* "«' "Wht*. the rail and she slipped „t^ ^'f'^ '°«n«> nea^ The forms she had ^ I^'T?* "*' '«■=•• »e««y. Instead ofpaS. ?S™"^' "*«>^« «"- herhiding-plaee; tK S.l^**"'^ '^ of that her «t«at;as ™t"ff*^^^*° ^k- -he saw What brings her here?" rw* ** """* "otMir- question of Dextrv's ■•B.i, i ^"**' '^ echoing a What bnnaght "tte buch^' J?« *'^ *"«» !ttt aU_ the rest ? ■• ^'^"ess, and Cherry Malotte, and "No. no," said the old man "«!i,- • , . "^ed you, boy. You think^^v^^P' *"» ?'"»«> don't know but thev »~_r?i ,. '^ " *" alike— an' I THB SFOILBIS f I Indiet, A long time ago— fo Vm told. SooMtimM I think I have hit diipotitioii. H« comet and whitpen thing! to me in the night. Oh, he wu a devil, and I've got hif blood in me — untamed and hot — I can hear him laying lomething now — eomething about the ipoils of war. Ha, hal Maybe he'i right. I fought for her to-night — Dex — the way he uaed to fight for hia tweet- hearts along the Mesdcot. She't too beautiful to be good — and 'there't never a law of God or man runt north of Fifty-three.'" They moved on, hit vibrant, cynical laughter ttab- bing the girl till the leaned againtt the yawl for tup- port. She held hertelf together while the blood beat thickly in her ean, then fled to the cabin, hurling hertelf into her berth, where the writhed tilently, beating the pillow with handt into which her nailt had bitten, ttaring the while into the darknett with dry and aching eyet. gtsiiig CHAPTER II THl STOWAWAT SHE awoke to the thxob of thm m,^,^ ^ ^ "^^^ov^y through^ ^^^^^j^^^-^ So thig wu Berinff ? Sh« h.^ «Sr L?^" °° **• •«w 4 flat, nmUt main, with mL^TT" '"»*^. •!» Pin« their fat bo<Ji«^ rf ^w^" "•■?"««• «»P- •he hMM the\S7rf '"j^r^ *^ "***" '*~«. ""d cta.°;s&d*Vb^'tr^^f r'^ *«« p««».i .m. I ^ »»t^ WM^SlKT^ J"" '«?«»'- bound. •nd .Mm«l oddly o»t^ oli!i'?*^* "*™^'W«'*, eq;dp,«„t, a. did^'aSS'atSS^^of'S.I^'' '^°"'* jaberaUy, and felt that .^ hS ^^T **" """w" I TIB SrOILBIS •J*jt«»d lilt. Oie iMd not nibbwl tlbowi with tik world enough to find that Truth may hmlo^h^ n«^Mjlyrit of the junior partntr. «'»»™« h«kSLTL'~?, • »>ook WM a worn Mid bUclmMd hobtw from which p^ped the butt of a Iww^S?. revolver, showing evidence of many yeaie* iSSL T? •poke mutely of the white-hairSTD^S?, X^ brf JL W inipection was over, knocked^ Si ^^^TT^ ^^T^^^:"^ "i^'!:^^^ ^ut^y:"'' He II be up to a minute. How'd ye eleep r ' ^ thinW^^wV *^i y'^'" ■*'• "«>• "^* I'v* been *!«•♦ «r'^i ^' *^ **^** "*«» interjected, "there ZL "J* •«P^*«o~,«^«i tiU you fiel U^ ^^ «wm up. You wai in troubl^-that'i unforttmate- t7at^Xii;27'''*'' "'^"''^ "^ ^-^~ ^- "S?""*"* ' '"'''' 5"*" "•"** think—" ^r» bound Jl n."S?g;!S ST' "' '°~- "Send you back? Why, don't yoo uwv tlut tu. I^^ t^".."'- '^^ "P*^" """Wn't turn iM^k-^ co^dn-t-ta, ctgo'. too p^Hou. «d the c^pj^ pay. five thou«nd . day for thi, drip. No,^^'? «4 THB STOWAWAY whw hi* hmd wtv^dLnTI!,!??" *? <>P*> the door for h. h«ri th. IW.JSS^'':,.''^* *■» taob, j,^^,, womr, wbmt aU tha bfMkfait Phi^'" "•"P-^ «» 0" »«.-"th.f. Cp. St- Don't wonderl Whv w^** , JlMt night? I Miw vm. • ^ y*^ •*»««» •ooner jyou right iiyi^T^/,?^^^, ^'}^'' eh? sHJ Iconfidentui: "I'd Bdvulv^ ♦«" "^f** *^~PP«> ^ the hn thi. boat. I law you!Jr?'.^*J***y ~ » ^*<J lot ^orit-they'i^aSSu^ Tf.'*^'^- ^•^ -^oS inside and iiMi «h!;» Cut em out. Guea . *•« kf^.t th. oth« li,^ """• «"w« •PP»h«. well— er — he isn't un v** »» ^i •. «?»«: "b«t«co.;,"i^i ta^..'^ ""-^ I . Nonieiaej if. time fcewu d«^ » ,«. race Wtt gruffly Mod Iff ^!?**'; Th^meeter'. kl Open\pfor,Wt?IL"!^o "•""• D«tnrl i ■"«• w« Sotw"/TCdoJ^"?.if'***''"««^- ^ted «, inquiring gUna « wf^l. '^^ °" "^er h nod. «Iiwed the boh .-H^ oo«np«nion, then, .t pw the ro^ ^'*' ■°<' *"•• captain', blue bWlc X5 *** i THB SPOILERS his cap came oflf involuntarily. Thew hig courtesy ^ded. however, and the smile died coldly from his face His eyes narrowed, and the good-fellowship feU away' leavmg hmi the stiff and formal officer met aU of our tedy passengers. Intixxiuce me, DertiT' Dextry squirmed under hi^ cynicism. ^^ •• Whit? •'""*^'^*^'* "^^^ **"* ""^^ myself." " Oh there ain't much to say. This is the lady we brought aboard last night— that's aU." " Who gave you permission ? " "Nobody. There wasn't tim«!." "There wasn't time, eh? Which one of you con- ^fw > ^°''*^''^.^°'* °^ ^°^^^ *^ay ladi^ in your cabm? Whose IS she? Quick! Answer me." lIZ. nation was vibrant in his voice. "OhI'' the girl cried— her eyes widening d?rklv She stood shm and pale and sUghtly trembling ar^e his ^^'^i ""i ^^' ^^"^'^y' *^°^h through it aL he had scrupulously avoided addressing her .n J^ ""^S^^ i"^^ *° Glenister, who had 'entered and closed the door. " Is this your work ? Is she yours ? " Better hear details, captain, before you make sailors last mght and we most got left doing it. It was aCrd ''' *"* °^^' * "^"^"^ ^'*"*^*y' ^° ^^ ^«^P«i l^^r He SUU addressed the men, ignoring her completely. tiU, with hoarse voice, she broke in: *' /» 16 THE STOWAWAY You mtistn't talk about me that wav-I «*„ o swer your questions. It's true— T «.« ^^ ***" to. The sailors came after ml^i ? r*y- ^ ^^ men. I had to £eT aw^ « • ^ ^°"^^* ^*^ ^^^^ helped me on h«-e?lr^^.r*'^r *"^ y^""" «ends the^saw^Se ^^1!^^!^^^ ^'^'^' ^^^« me. I can't e^pUi^h^' , ^Z ^'^ '^^ Protecting reach Nome on the ^^J^^Pf ^«t i* ^ for me tS cret. It was im^rt^t e^l^r^'l^* ""'* "^^ ««' «ncle at Seat^ at ^7 T^^^ *° °^^® °»« ^eave my W wast^^nVie^h'oT^^^^^^^^ ^^.^n T' ladder. She^dmywXf.r ^T" '^^ «^P'« her. I cast off th J ^^ 1^ ^^^ J^«^ they seized f« I could, but they bweiS 'o7lf^ t'^°'^ *^ ^^^ lowed me." ^ wwered another boat and fol- ^ utterly out rfptce He riTl* "?'' """""'y. fflonw we sJkttbT^r.TV^. °°" ''"o"y- To- ! ter of luck." **"'*'* "^ *«> i* is aU a mat- «»»ef"».? ADsw«Ze" P ^* »»• did you ' ^''""" •^«»<" Vou <*., to staad there I'f . t ill I* I: THE SPOILfilS •JkI tell me that?" «• ti.*^^ ^ upon the othen ' *^'^ "«* P<»«<> »^ »g« Thi. girl ha. b,,,lc^'^u'a^ir^5^"J,«'e OW,/ tors bottled up the wT.. *' V? ''**'*'' ""Pee* avoid any po«ibIe dd<iy ^^e'U^^' ^f/'^^ when we get to Nome ft™.* n ■ . ''* ''*'"* "P what this means^rinrinl^h- f"*"".''"' ^"^ «««~ His eves T7™<j Bn^ng this hussy aboaid ?" nis eyes burned and his voice shonir ■,i,!i »i. partners stared at each other in *„' l""'' ** *»<> knewthensuItoU™^l^'°J'?™j:- ^ooweUthey ed troop W Not^lJ"^ '^'""'^'^ ''•^ <=«>"<»- bulging Vt^-pa^.^'^^^.f'T '"^"' «">» jammM with ^-thT^^lu^l,^ i^nL^jT- T most unsanitary conditinno n^u ! °^* *^^ ^° ^^^ hundred Pas^g^^^tr^rr^^^; ht''°'*r mm and women were stow J^v like ^«i ^^'^^ andahaIf-toleiahl»~»,A:«^ ******'*• Older the effort rf^e^*^ T^ "'r»«"«d «% by the thought ttat^^ thanselves. who held to aboard three weeks and ^erTh^.:* I^^J^ '«*° the desire to reach Nm„!!!7 v T" "^a™* with pressing hordeTeUn^™'^*" "** '* '^^''^ »' «■* ar^if tl^ lL*oL*^r "' ^'^ So'0-fren.ied goal ? lie Cpi^w^'^„^*'"f 'J"^ «8ht of their packed in thSCtoe nn'^^ J"^^ ""^^ *° «« disease T «^*t ^ P™°°' submitting to the foul d^ease. Lo»S they must lie thus. tiU a .LthsS,S^ lo THE STOWAWAY mean endless week, of Se2^J^H.™"^' *""* "'Sht even be impoaable to C«e7h7 i '""'• '* »'*» Glenist^;: of th^fZe'S ""^H'-^ ^^ °"t'y »"d What wo^ld happTiThri, i^*^ *'""«'" »'«'' Srr^r were as unsettled^irtU, nJl^S"' "J^ «»«««<>»» held only by ph;s.'^p,S?,"f= ''''-««««, were DuMg tb. long 4ter of tt^2™ *•' Pf«°««' their trea!,i,re inviolate butwfrt »k ^' "* ^^ •>«'<» the jewel they had fougkt ?o 'i* the warming summer and ex^ed^to theSe^:r&T"i"^"''^«» yaUey of the richest creek wh^ The Midas lay in the fought and slain for^he '^1^^* "•*" ?*'' ''""""ed and fruit of cheerless. barr« v^^* j! T"**- It was the not g^rd it-th^y ^^,1*^'' "' " '"^ ""^"^ WbSrCe *^' ^-^.^eflections. quickly." She lSdTha„T„^*..'°"? ^ "J^hve^ 7<J<in't be trusted to tte In^^i*' '?^°»- "They ahnost life and death A^f^ "^ '*^«. Ifs need of putting me in qj^il,*^,'? y°» there is no ix^^l wasn't even ^^Z% -' '"'"'* «"> »»«- i^lateTo^ rt',tk 11^" ^'iStephens. "ra What these "utdmen ^^'b^^^'^-f:^''",, God knows about it. though. They-r?^^t^' 1° "^^ *^ hear They're crazyl" '^ 'P* to tear you to shreds. Glenister had beon f»,.-_i • ° oeen thinking rapidly. '9 THB SPOILBIS Tw7^ ^?IJ^^ *^*' y°"'" J»ve mutiny in an hrm, Bahl Let 'em try it. I'll put 'em doW" Th. officer's square jaws cUcked ^^* ^"iT'^ht'CSe • ^ '" «^^/ Wa- nes, in l^'Z^^^Jfr^" foryourca™,,... " Y^-'^tWw'k '^' °" »" pound hi, teeth, own^^kuright wn ST'*' *°- You-a ruin your job. th;fs rd^chl" "" ^°" '"P "^ '»« your an^r" '*^'"" ""^ *• "'"^ "^ "» W take eJery ^^t '^hT^ fa " ' '"•** conaderine "I'll h— j v P»»«a for a moment, NomTin n^edt^w^if!S*" ""««»• "We'll be in b^ K^he^,!^!^*^'' *°' " *»<» of it- No- see her g^off s^^^ ^' r «"««• Nobody wS just as^i^* i!^>' " this cabin, which wiU be other part ^e ^f T JT "^S**^ "*' '^ ""^ -e .e. ash^rJ!'rX^^rert-S^^^^ ao THE SrOWAWAT lK?«*?' ^!f ^*^ **' *" '^^ I^P^^ *l>oa«i this dup Vou go up forrad to your bridge, sir and foro^^^J you st^ in to see^ld Biu'D^t;;!^^^,,^^; We U take care of this matter aU richt u ™°™*°«^- much to us as it does to you We'v?^;* I "**?' *' Creek befon. the KroJ^/Zj'otll^Z''^''^ If you make a fuss. you'U ruin us aU " ^' down her cheel« t»,o « 4. • . ^ '^'^ rolled I>on t feel hurt over what I said, miss Yr^ «^ youriwUth^ '■'"° y°" K«t *o Nome, make TC^^ rS'aCe ^' "^^ ^°- '"''• ^- J^tq>ped out into the pa«age and cl«ed the door ?*! CHAPTER III IN WHICH 0LBNI8TBR BRR8 don't «.uyget the f.^^™TLwt^V"T"- '« none. You ««. the gambl^d^ . ^*^^ '^ »» few aig, an- green v^rt^S^tw 1*°™ ~P "»* «"> »^ybe. in the .hape of ^^S^^' ^"* -»•: «c«Pt. !»»ti»ted me«„^.'t^;°'''k^<*.J'««riesweha"e m the country we hanker fe b ' ^. » <>« third yea, •can-IoM. Yes, ma'am-tt^T'^ °^'''»<»'«*hto' of fn»h fruit n^r m^I*"*,;:^" "i^out a taste beans. Why. I've et U^ 'Z^l ^^"Pt Pork an' enwedarind. "" "" ""y «»anortarsoul has boy^^k'tirt^e^^t^' "r" «» <'^- tb. Point Barrow wha.'e^'C" fo^S^'; ""l » •»« » « O" passage, I find tti«Tave „^w ?' ,^^^Ibook except canned sahnon H W ♦J"^ ^}°^ *<> eat «™i»e, so when 1 I^dln the sL!^ f ' *"' y^"' tbi^ concemin- wSSV/^toin-'^^J^^^st of 9a in WHICH GLBRISTBR BRKS htige pot-Iatch tST«« i^ on'.Prepare for the » later yeaVS^'tt!.^, Z^ ^* T t°' "'»"' with bated breath ^ *~™* »"»" »Pe«k «»"^«Vf„i;!^7.^^";'-*J''P0*a„.b,a„ the waiter h«Tw ^^iTf '!'^'^ •»^°''- When ^tt'e. coMIy S tSSTtg^tS^^l-;; •«"'. then, castic accents: ««»•«»« visages, aa saymsar- "ock- When I have d^?Z worn TJT"^ *° ohve .eeds an' peelia'. aU ^^' Jj^f •«?« «n' uhment, stick toothpicks iST'^^^ .^^? ."' "°"'- •em what other inSti^L. 1 " '"'*° o^e™! place." »na«nitie8 occur to me, I leave the chaX^dtylntel^S"^^" the stern.^,. out and the ship lay d^d^ tH 7^ *1 '*=°°<' '^K»'t them was a flatf aZ^^l^ . ce-pack. AU about « the deep twiBgh?^^M„ft;'?"~' «»'» ^'tled the light laited. fcSw th^l. "T5f "^ «>«»«« they closed, th«lSt<5v S5? ° k""* ™*'' «« worming out into leagu^of oL^ *"*• "PP*""*!: into the shifting labS ZllZ^' "«^ «^P'"W ress perilous '^^ *^ <'«''™«s rendered pipg! <«^°S?C\^.tr:h^.-««»' of wata. hud- in the sunlight ?,,TXw^'"' "?* "''«» S'^^t^-ing while away » aU^^'^e^/**' "^ Pl^asant^ 4<"riers tney had seen the smoke of »3 ,li THB SroiLBIS o»«r lUpi toito, through the b»r)> «. °M ™« to trte W^*^!^^ h-td .AM the duloMM: then die hid W htaTr^" ?* *•"*«• »< wondered .t thSrV^SSLSHT ','^' *^- ""d •»>• identity .nd her .:SS^* "'CT " """^ ttar olence u indiffermcT^t ^r ^•° «»>»t™*d Northmen were offe,^?* tt-^""^ **** *<»• camaratUru. ^ '"' *« *'^>«t evidence of tW» -"^^dS^ri 5?»Vf fS^S"" «»'P'J»«>t th«, «»t high«rt^ in oSSwS^ '^*'.. ^* *«*<"«» Jf *oald be me«u,^'4'Sri;»".*' belief that country where a man iTTm.; ^ " ^«*'» ^ee •wd i, new and Ze ^ ,?^' "''*"»8 ""ore. Our m have been^^ °" *»"••"* *<> the fa»t. H leave behin7S.e^^ S f,^*?'v^^= « ""^ I»« and rtill heS^to ^"^^ "J^"* '^^ "<»» to expljun«l to C.ptaSltSh^'^j?^" th«. *. ^.d "« things continue as «^t^." T.."^ '^•' to an, 80 Httle that die wiTt U W,? V^ '»*• '^ In the short time ^ J^?^ *? **" *bem. S^wn to like T^tTlS^T',^^' «>• girl h«l IN WaiCB GLBRISTBR BKKS "y ol tlut Mene the graw hot, then cold— hot .ifh h*lte^ ^J""*-., ^* ^^ »' •"• »« •>» «>*^ rag Where men ipoke of ftrange women with ♦«. "~f«nce Md hinted tho. of own^AipTrhn hi I. '"nd'onie and uncoMdou. of it^i .,.vL„ ■!! ? «»t; but here he «emed'SS^fnto^*th' «^>«>t8l. chilling potentialities. Vm. wShlrf^ .w« jf"sr,^'^dS?'^[^^-*s^ '*'^' -that .^.p^dtr'Tt^e-L'tt ^ti! "new m ngid resistance. ^ menta. •"^^fco^hTLSr™""". "»"«»«»• Olenister «»P^Spo2.VTi:^^»f ^°-*^ ^*» .4"t::S^S l-^!^of the midnight sun or the -£^s::^-.t^eir.:rtrr?^-- ^^'te^-J^^-i-^-^HeNonh. WeU,here.t«. I have it from the Up, of a great 'S 'i- THB $^0li2u$ htttter of the TaiumM, Ha toM u . « JU th. North wmXI-i^"' *"" «««t.S^^ of thM* wu Itiic,, the Jm^^ii /*•. •*•*« hunter • »oo«, tin it feu eX^'^if^- H. couM foC ««j; belt. .«rf, f~m^c£U^/^r "'' •» »»«» which If deadly wicked .ITa " "^ Jwown bear 'One winter a terrible #-•"*' <^<Jevili. Tanana VaUey Th^!I^ ]**»*«• "ettled over th» dog. grew gaunt and W&'l* ^.^ 1!^ «irt!^n^ the women became hoCtevlS T^^' *^* ^^^ cried? ^ " Then it was that It^lT^. •?'^ P««^»l». ' the saw-tooth r^ge wWoh'?^**' ^ «^ hunting over -^W. TheytriSrSdl^i^C'^heedgere tani death because a padT^m: •*^«^ »t was cerw ^er than the moose"^^ tST I^"" T^** ^^ves. ct^° ^1 '^^'^ these moiSS^ ^ ^* ^^' ^« chase. Always, on clear 3rf^\?""^«^ "*<«y in the flashing of the m^bSS« Z^*"' J^^ ^e ieen hungry sides, and altWh ^^ JT *^«^ «^««n^ the passes in other ye^thT^^ ^""*«" had c^ged I«^k slew them. ^^' ^^^ "«^«" nrtumed, ^^ " Nothing could deter Itifea »,« h« way up through the ral^' T^^ «° he threaded IN WHICH 6LBNISTBH BKHS hMVMit were ablMe with ihif ting itreiflaen that need *ad writhed back and forth in wild revel. Liitening, he heard the hiet and whine of dry enow under the feet of the pack, and a dinant noiM ae of ruihing windi although the air was deathly atill. "With daylight, he proceeded through the range, till he came out above a magnificent valley. Deecend- ?«**** •^OP** *»• entered a foreit of towering tpruce, while on all tides the enow wae trampled with tracki ai wide at a tnow-thoe. There came to him a noite which, at he proceeded, increated till it filled the woodt. It wat a frightful din, at though a thoutand wolvet were ho^g with the madnett of the kill. Cautioutly creeping nearer, he found a monttrout white animal ftruggling beneath a tpruce which had fallen upon it m euch fathion at to pinion it tecurely. "All brave men are tender-hearted, to Itika tet to work with hit axe and cleared away the burden, regard- T*^** Pwil to himtelf . When he had releated it, the beatt Arote and inttead of running away addretted him m the moet polite and polithed Indian, without a trace of accent. " 'You have taved my life. Now, what can I do for "•I want to hunt in thit valley. My people are starving,' said Itika. at which the wolf wat greatly Si thTkm "* "^^^ up the rett of the pack to help " Alwaye thereafter when Itika came to the valley of the Yukon the giant drove hunted with him. To this day they run through the mountains on cold, clear nights, m a multitude, while the Ught of the moon flickers from their white sides, flashing up into the sky * 97 TM tfOilBMg fnd with the UghVof iJS!?*"* f»««fy. toothtohT Wliat A queer im0m^Av>u ™** ^'olvee." ♦•."k* the North." ™™"y- ""^ Wwt I m, going ^?«pK JS;.*"-^ '^. "-.hough H You «i, M ^SSli*' 5^ «»t **» in the fl«t -I tlM. North." "''•* yw <*<«•• thi.. YoumiStT!; Mdheudgee^h^^ J»w 4^ thet n«w ^^ « when ooee youVeWtX^*,?*^' "««« midnight the whoh white, -tent wS?dtu^«r' l*«^ *™ "» »W runaen rin»- «,2^ Jomping fa hanwe. i IH WIICH GLBNISTBK BRKS •Y^* tuggwtod to BM tvwyUiiac unknown and waird— hairy maitodoni, goldan river ban, lavagv Ind- iani with bone arrow -heads and seal -akin trouien. When I left college I came at fast at ever I coukl— the adventure. I tuppoie. . . . "The Uw was considered my destiny. How the shades of old Choate and Webster and Patrick Henry must have wailed when I fonwoie it. I'll bet Black- stone tore his whiskers." " I think you would have made a success," said the girl, but he laughed. " Well, anyhow, I stepped out, leaving the way to the United States Supreme bench unobstructed, and came North. I found it was where I belonged. I fitted ^- I'm not contented— don't think that. I'mambi- toous, but I prefer these surroundings to the others— thatsaU. I'm realising my desires. I've made a for- tuM-now ru see what else the world has." He suddenly turned to her. " Sec here," he abrupt- ly questioned, " what's your name ? " She started, and glanced towards where Dextry had •tood, only to find that the old fiontienman had sUooed away during the tale. •"FP«« '• Helen Chester," she replied. " Helen Chester," he repeated, musingly. " What a pretty name! It seems almost a pity to chanse it— to marry, as you will." -««a» »v— "I am not going to Nome to get married." He glanced at her quickly. " Then you won't like this country. You are two I^ «1.*^ ?"•• *"f/^^* "^'^^ ^^ chaperons. It 8 a man s country yet. 99 TBB SPOILBIS " I don't IM why it ira't a woman-i countrv taa Surely we can take apart in taming it. Y^^^ from the coast to the mines in a few weelo. t^u sWp b^k there has the wi,e and ^iJt^'fi^J^J f7^^=caiK:4rjSlf ahead of schedule. " * o" see 1 am not far " What part are you going to take in ♦».,•- * process?" he asked. "" **"' **™»»8: She paused long before replying, and when sh« Ai^ her answer sounded like a jest "^ a horfe of shysters! iS SSdof tawt'SS'l "f -and^ntr-^-'-^n: sheb^ke'^"' """^ «°' *■"* *"* ~"«g« never wiU." whetted for ^tL:l ^TZrTZ rich'2''- '''^ don't think them's any truth iZ. Z ^ot ct^^^S' •■ ' 30 IN WHICH QLBIflSTBK BKXS ••The law is the foundation- -t here can't be any S^ '^ **' ^^*" '" "°*^'''^ ' ^ °^ ^^* •• There isn't half the disorder you chink there is. There weren t any crimes in this country till the tender- feet arrived. We didn't know what a thief was If you came to a cabin you walked in without knocking. The owner filled up the coffee-pot and sliced into the bacon; then when he'd started your meal, he shook hands and asked your name. It was just the same whether lus cache was full or whether he'd packed his few pounds of food two hundred miles on his back. That was hospitality to make your Southern article look pretty small. If there was no one at home you ate what you needed. There was but one unpardon- able breach of etiquette-to fail to leave dry kindlings. I m afraid of the transitory stage we're coming t<>- that epoch of chaos between the death of the old and the birth of the new. Frankly, I like the old way best. I love the hcense of it. I love to wrestle with nature • to snatch, and guard, and fight for what I have. I've been beyond the law for years and I want to stay there, oUhe m^tSt ^* '* ""^ ^^""^^ *° ^^^ ^^^^ His large hands, as ne gripped the bulwark, were tense and corded, while his rich voice issued softly from his chest with the hint of power unlimited behind it He stood over her. tall, virile, and magnetic. She saw now why he had so joyously hailed the fight of the previous night; to one of his kind it was as salt air to the nostnls. Unconsciously she approached him drawn by the spell of his strength. " My pleasures are violent and my hate is mighty 31 1' 111 I V 1 1 1 THB SPOILfiKS bitter in my mouth wk«* t It up. •■ °«» we. «nd I m too nlfidi to give touched her warn, Cd n«7f^ '^^ "'^- doing «,, She was staringuT^t h?^ "'J* *« «"• the faint odorZ, C^f """"^tedly. » cIo« that s.on was simply ^.ofZ^^^^""-. Her«cp,es. type, so diilerent from ^^A^hZ^^^'^ « *^ man's eyes were hot and bL?^^..'".?'"- ^ut the and be felt only her tJ.,?* u • ^ '""* the sight of her the brush <^C%^ZsT^^ " the*dim°^^:: beneath his. The tSlTfJ^ri .' T"' «"t ht,d over him-mastered h"m. ^°^ "^ '» "«8«» What I want— I tak« •• »,. denly he reached forth and '^T**^' ""^ *''«' ™<1- crushedhertohin, IdLinfi,' ^'^ ''«' '° his anns the lips. For ar43hf i"'*'^' """^'y' *"« «^' against hi, breast "hMsVel-'L^*^"^ '"•'^tunnej all her foree, struikhtalSu" w'''' '"» ■"•»• ^^th It was as though shTt^i * '***• movement he fo4d her^^^n * '^'- ^i* <»• her terrified eyes- then h^i?^ J^'' '•<'«• soiling into her again and^^i^^ tt"* ^J^ i™"- he W^ -and released bT '^ ' '°°''*''- *"* *y«. the hS y?"l" she i^iS^ht ti"' ^ « I ever stop kaiin, with passion. ** ""»"8 thick and hoaref ca^^'S^^riarh^Tfi^--^ towards her W that her kne^ ^^^4^^ w"^"" *" "■" 3a CHAPTER IV THB KILLING FOR four days the Santa Maria felt blindly through the white fields, drifting north with the spring tide that sets through Behring Strait, till, on the morning Of the fifth, open water showed to the east. Creeping through, she broke out into the last stage of the long race, amid the cheers of her weary passengers; and the dull jar of her engines made welcome music to the girl m the deck state-room. Soon they picked up a mountainous coast which rose steadily mto majestic, barren ranges, stiU white with the melting snows; and at ten in the evening und-r a golden sunset, amid screaming whistles, they anchored in the roadstead of Nome. Before the rumble of her chams had ceased or the echo from the fleet's salute had died from the shoreward hills, the ship was sur- round«i by a swarm of tiny craft clamoring about her iron sides while an officer in cap and gilt climbed the bridge and greeted Captain Stephens. Tugs with trail- mg lighters cwcled discreetly about, awaiting the com- pletion of certam formaHties. These over, the uni- formed gentleman dropped back into his skiff and rowed away. •• A clean biU of health, captain." he shouted, salut- mg the commander. 33 »«■ •roasts teamer from all quarten '""*•■'''». boarffag the who had been an intent^tnii „^.l'" *"» °' ^e^ry. ""bending dignity, ^pt^„ s^f "", "«*»*»?• W.Th droop slowly, wl^,; a Wfaf *S„T '*'''" '^* «y«M ha f««. Sin.ultaneou3l7"rd!^ ^^""^ '^^"y O"" from the bridge, the ^w b^k?i""f """T* <»<» fc»t "!f ^! 'T™ "<» *« cla^^o/doTwr'? "'"• *"• . we re here. Miss Stowawav •• .?^^, *"'*' »«»«• ;ng the girl's cabin " ThJ'^' ""^ ^^lenister, enter- it's time for you to see rt. '^*^'' P"'*' «s and wonderful sight" "° ^^ '"^ <^ty- Come, it*,, sc^e on7he*aft'»^e*r A""!:? "^ «'one aince the she had managedThat he s'h^^ " '«"°'^"8 Glenister cept in Dextr,^ jj^^ ^fhlf? *T «* ''«' ex- been courteous anT^^sid^W '';,'"^ "*'"■"« emotions that were hidSJn ^tWn ^! '*" *"" 'eap»g I«.ve the ship, to fly froTthTs^l,^.?"" '°"8e^ tl Thoughts of him madX l^Sf" "' 5" Pe«»»8Bty. was near she could not hato h.^^ i,*""?, 5^** """en he powered her, he would not Tht^'r"^-''* »^er- to her slights. This v^ o„.?-f**^' ""f ?"<» "o heed wriKngly and «nq„e,tS;,^f .«?»ded ''«' how sailors from the Ohio ati !? J^! **'' '°"8ht off the he would do so aVata 1^ ^ *""" ""er. She knew bitter to one whoT.^i/r,lr~; "pO,;* i, hard to U though he has offended-Tart^i," "j '" y°"' even ma^etism that sweep, y^^^lf^ "^ be has the There's no dange? IT^Z^^J^ "°?""^- "» seen, he continued. o4 T8B KILLINO acid'^S^:'"'' "'• °"^**''" *"• ''^y -0 with Sl^J^n^' ^"- ^""""P''^ '" He moved away She followed a step, staring at Helen. ^" .^^ Are you go,ng asho« to-night or wait fo, „on.. girih^^'ut^^.-^^Vke^h:"':;:.'^'? "■■^« *° »•-« " Who is she?" aA^M^'A ! "'^""^ °" '«•" She's an old cat " *"* companies. , sh^^"'Th%f "^f ^ l*','^"''- *"! ^ cried out. nish^'copper^wMeTaTsidl' ::a^-d1wa"'r 'T and rumble of macliii,.™^ .»„ 7^ . *"* '*"* ™«Ie cargoes out up^ tS^^ ^^"""^ '*« •>«'«''ing wheeler,, and d^«&e«SL^^: *"^' ^'™- fat. walrus-hide boats 2l""at^riike'"hZ°°"if' legged water-bugs. An enHlA«« o * ri ^ ' °^^°y" sTo^A^m1e"i'^f,^?P«"'-^ I' m i THB SPOllBIS o' new white canvae iTI *i ? ** '^'^ •^ made sweUed from thwe to t^v tT!!^ '*«, P0P«l*ticml^ d««i in a slender. iinZS^ SrT^' ? ««^ w^ milet. because oni; Se 2l>h %*'i'^ *»>• «>«st for found. Motmting^tolSe^^S^lf^^^^^Pii^ deep in moM and wa^ „d T,^«^^' ?"* •*°'^ W tracks, found a hog ^Ztg'S^J^'i^ '^^ «"ne the town doubled daily in 5;!^, "'"*^- therefore, as string of dominoes. Ti th« ^' ^.^^'^ ^^^^^ ^ a Penny River wm1'io„ *^,?°7 'fT ^ape NomTt^ ow rays of the abtic s^u^tli^ 7 ""' l^*^ ^ the tropic islaro*. ^^* '*^ ^^amy breakew on a " That's Anvil Crm^u a (t.p in the buttrej^^i^" ^f '" "« "*"*•<« the coast. " It's the ma^^^""™* back from You-U see gold by the mS ,^'' '? *« world, nuggets. Oh, I'm ri«i *„ .^' »"'' bfllocks of That stretch oi l^Lchfa f^. ^ •"*• ^*^ « life «?"«» with qo^" ?bf "^f gold. These hills *• tl.ingIm»stdo^hr^*?«^'- "I have some- ~ know these things."^ " ""^ *•»*• I can learn to Securing a small boat ♦!,. partners plyi„g their t^Zj'^iT^ "''°'»' 'he Having arrived BvedaysS^ T '^^ questions "formation and voIun?^°S.''* ^ '?'°*°« with THB KILLING STdI^- '<»<«em« tun with which he (Cu«d •■ *^^' *° "^ o™ otter exclution. SS^-,., «'•»<»»«»» up it wouJd butt «»««;: The beach they neared wa* waUed and crawd^ .„ ^su^r'rb^^S2"''•"^'•^-^-• «urf or sS in^. "Plashed through the tapping el^rifylS^' S^*^ *"* ^"^^ with a magnetic. plaint unspeakabfe ' '"*' "^'y- *» « «»»- ;; Any tajuble doin'?" inquired the old man ^ y°" *~«"t I • the other cried, colloqu^r .. The« was a massacree in the Northen. last^ht^' 37 m "■ 9f0llMM$ "Oambiin'row?" ■ctor." AM th«r ^' ^ ^o^ him. H«'. • k ^ '^'.«., /o^'L^ir iSx ".^"S..'^'^- •»" «>i ^ pI«n«tioii. "« ». out thqr volunteered aoex- i"/t!?™Sf h'S.'ta^I^.^^fd 'nto tu^oi,. Dodg. "hf- te.t. .tood w5l to ^,"S« »"* '?to fenceSZ P«f. Here «,d there wuf''"^"'''""" occu- jealouely by its omlTJ^^ ' Y"^* •!>« guarded Where do you want ^o^"!^^^^^^ "le North. He had com- t^l^- ?"^ ""e women of « girl driven by iomT^f J^ ""^ """"^ 'hat here wm repellent to h.r'^ T. Sf^SfT "*° " ^^"^ dence awoke only adnU^l 1 "?*"«• *«• mdepen- but to inflame him th" mo^ "'^^ ""-ese »e^^ was lost in a remart»hu^' . °«hcacy. in GlenistM^ «"»Id. laugh at W Sa^^/2^«!, »' P-^Po*. He '^a.n utt^ly i^^-ft^^Je under her abuse, and ,She ^tended both hands. done-y^n"^ tTl fCr^V" "»* y°« have Dextry eaaed Hn«L* ,t ^'y- Good-byel" ■y ga«d doubtfully at his own han^Urh and THB CILLIRe rnhfi^' "*■ *^«. *«• •• !«• irouM iMvt hMdled « "We ain't goin' to torn you adrift tUi-a-wav Whatever y<mr de.tia.tion ta. well ..e you to tt.'^^' .. i^!"*"? "'' '"""' =•" "•• —o^ him. lady^t knl^nT' ''''"f^ *" ""* *° <"'^*« • & S. ul^ei.^ *° '"' "'• '*™''- »' ^"» ?*. *? *• b»ggage, Dex. Meet me at the Second C1m» m half an hour «.d we'll run out to the Mid^ fht' her, and emerged upon the main thoroughfare which ran parallel to the shore. "»«™«re, wmcfc «,M J^J^*^ °' '^'P^^ »*««. twirted between Mhd rows rf canva. and half^rected frame buildinm ^sr'bi^r''Tt''"°'»'*^- There SS: lootong block, which aapired to the ditzy height of three .tones, some Aeathed in corrugated iron Mh^ gleammg and galvaniied. Lawy^^"°3;^*'^ .unreyor.'.w«e in the upper window.. mW^ thronged with men from every land-HeleT OesZ heard more dialects than .he coild count. Zp^^ ^•ST l*^"*?"*™*' P^'^'^ <»P» i^ part M^ ^th the tan of the tropic, rubbed elbow, w^h yeUo^ haired Norsemen, and near her a carefuUy gSd Frenchman with riding-breeche. and mon<Jle*^ P«>tom.me with a skin-clad Eekimo. To her Irft wm her riSf ^ »«. aliye with ship, of every claT ^ her nght towered timberlew mountains nnn*onl«l unexplored, forbidding, and desolate^the™ mJ^ 39 1 ! • ! THE SPOILBIS inliM with tomr n. ^ .. ««M 1.. kwSTo.^^3J:^jr*» «" lih «rf th, touried m.„, in .hirt^^ ' ^^'^ "Wte-hai^i ^' wT; .. ••"dcng-feet. opened IjPt loow. .„d hi, wC^'*"? ."'' Wood.hot! h^ t'oned Gl^teT" """'^ "^^ "in" I left?" ,„„ ,o'*°''^«'t«l the girl. THB KILLIRO c^''^!^^*^ •»» b-M- mf" -W hT «oort He m»de to cron the thmbold botpiteblv but it^^^ ™? 01«riw,r gathered him up «d bo^ ret* JX."'"*' """ °'^'" ""^ *■" J^""* ~°- m,'.'J^'^"'"''*"'"**«''»'<»'l*red. "Oh.wdI J'J!"' .T 2."**r'*"" •^'' Glwiirtw. with equal -•«. Z^ Jiw** "TIP"**- »• wouldn't kn^ wh.^ youjw talkmg about, and in the Kcond plaee-I ^^»i. ?••*«"'"«•'' to talk bu«ae«'i^ «^ *«>— we", to lee you alone." But I mat see him," she insisted " If. .h.> "^^.l"!^.- Youdon'tundJSSSd." •""* i understand more than he cooM. He's in no rm. around to-morrow when he's sober " ^t me«w so much." breathed the girl. "The ment.nd anxiety were consuming her^ ""^^ ^''^^r>oinf Well, I suppose I'U have to wait, but I don't know where to go-some hotel, I suppose.'' ' ' ""^ * ^"^ 4X r t M II TU •roiiBit w.. .bo». to „y . lov. « ^ '? »*?»• 'or mon^. I fnendt here-no women » Ti.il' "•"• J^ »<> othw • Pl«c. for yo,,. TCi , S^/*? """ >•« «»• And you In." "»v. » wroj ,fc^ ^^ ^11 ^^ 8h« nMM at thii w«. .1. with tbi. mw, f,vo«", s21 ^ T*-*° *•'* *». the .hip. but di«nWh.t sS^i' " '"""•fngto hU »id. but b. WMh.lf.«; d!^'?,?"^'' to 'I'cUn, "o .ttention to her b^nnV^^J^,'*?^ •«<" P^ It WM then thet iSm rEZ!^ •**. '""o""! him. tr.g«Iy of the h^nZ^fS^^r^ "" «« better the mu. whom the di.Hl,^ J' "^ *<> "»<>» h.d been thrown to fTtefuUy 5^"'' T**"" "''<« "he •t the .pell of thi. Z^Z- but 7r^ V? ^ *"'«'«> that .trength and KcMto^'rnr k,!^ ''•^ "« learned corollarie.. "^^ '"°°<' •»<» violenoe a. Enterging from the doorwav at .fc.. « they drifted .lowly aIongth?w.U ^ f"?? "* *•» »«». Beside, the univer«| SSili^'iL*'*'""' *■» «"««» ho,v and exhilarat~n totrf;^ S? '•,"?''t.r «,d th ' oyi,h multitude wanned!^' iJ* •»*'"»i«»m of get into tbi. .pirit-to^ o^J?f • ^ S*'' wi'hed to from the babble at thl el^' *"""■■ ''^ "Menly not long nor loud on^^t:^^?/!^"''"* -ote! h«r.h with the metallic qu.HLZ?!;'*"**.''"''* "»<» Helen glanced over W-h^..^ '^ P"**"". •mile, of the throng W^^!'*^ ^ «"" that the b^t on tome Ken'W*^, "?..«»» *t. eye. we,,' " Come away from here." 42 TIB IILLIN8 With tlM qtdclnned ey« of txptrimco h$ ionukw troublt and tritd to drag her on, but the shook off hit gntp impatiently, and, turning, gated abeorbed at the ipectacle which unfolded ittelf before her. Although not comprehending the play of eventt, the felt vaguely the quick approach of tome critit, yet wat unpnpared for the twiftnett with which it came. Her eyet had leaped to the figuret of two men in the •trtet from whom the rett had teparated like oil from water. One wat tlim and well dratted; the other bulky, mackinawed, and lowering of feature. It wat the tmaller who tpoke, and for a moment the mit- judged hit bloodthot eyet and twaying carriage to be the retult of alcohol, until she taw that he wat racked with fury. " Make good. I teU you, quick! Give me that biU of tale, you .'* The unkempt man twung on hit heel with a growl and walked away, hit coune leading him towardt Glen- itter and the girl. With two ttridet he wat abreatt of them; then, detecting the flathing movement of the other, he whirled like a wUd animal. Hit voice had the tnarl of a beatt in it. " Ye had to have it, didn't ye ? WeU, thetel " The actiont of both men were quick at light, yet to the girl't tout tentet they teemed theatrical and delib- erate. Into her mind wat teared forever the memory of that tecond, at though the thutter of a camera had tnapped, impretting upon her brain the tcene, tharp clear-cut, and vivid. The thaggy back of the large xnan almott bruthing her, the rage - drunken, white- thirted man m the derby hat, the crowd sweeping back- ward like ruthet before a blast, men with armt flexed ♦ 43 THE SPOUBIS »!• weight f<«i„g h^X;Jt,<*«fk "Winat W w '"» arms about W ki.^'"*" **• nnallest Jm^^' ^n half round „ though to^,*»P '" '^apon H IJJ^wancedtoWrTht^ASj *»"t«, ""«» thickly Hehe>dh«eou«etoth.doon^,'Jj?»J THB KILLING quitfetd, then m he turned he coughed bestially, epit- txng out* mouthful of blood. His knees wavered. He vanished within the portals and, in the sickly silence that fell, they heard his hob-nailed boots dumping slowly up the stairs. Noise awoke and rioted down the thoroughfare. Men rushed forth from every quarter, and the ghastly object m the dirt was hidden by a seething mass of miners. Glenistcr raised the girl, but her head rolled limply and she would have slipped to her knees again had he not placed his arm about her waist. Her eyes were stanng and horror-filled. " Don't be frightened," said he, smiling at her re- assunngly ; but his own lips shook and the sweat stood 2\l 2r "^ ^^' ^"^^ ****y ^ ^t^ been close to death. There came a surge and swirl through the crowd, and Dextry swooped upon them like a hawk Be ye hurt? Holy Mackinawl When I see 'em blaze away I yells at ye fit to bust my throat. I shore ^u!? wr"" "^"J/r"- ^*^°"«^ ^ *^'* ^y b«t this toUm was a sight for sore eyes-so neat an' genteel- stiU, as a rule, m these street brawls it's the iSnocSus &^s '^** ^""^"^ "^^ *~^^ *° ^^^ "Look at this." said Glenister. Breast-high in the wall agamst which they had crouched, not tt^^ fc«t apart, were bullet holes. "Them's the first two he unhitched," Dextry re- s^ef ^.^S^tL^ W ' *°""^ *^^ obiect'S^the r^edhi^Totrri^r^r^"^'^^"^^"^- Even to the girl it was patent that, had she not been 45 THB SPOILBIS Come awav quick " •*!« ^ ^ • «nto a near-by'storT »i,i^ P*°*«^' *n<^ they led h^ , . "fe. MiM." he Mid " V™L ""^ °' "''"key. cheech.Ico.- r„ ^^^- ^"^ tough go f^a ^QT Half an hour he taJit^^ ♦* i. '•y. of foreign thin^^ mZ L**'' •*" ^ ">J»»fc.I partners arose to eo am. J^ quieted. Then th. for W to ,top*Zh thl'^"^^**^*"""" .nS^ «« of the night, she w^^no? ' °^'»°* '"^ the I can 't go to berf Di , "«T~»- f««to^if^:S1„^%V~"e»er I'm too --3"hruS*a^'S:fS??i--»-eap„r- Here s a oair nf i,«i« ■'^ ***• >?o„»-corjth''jf-*^r„^'-ot,. Yo„p„, things complete. An' m t^ '"'* 5'°"'' nMd off rf get back you'll mato tb" Z^^T" ^'"^' "•>« m "^tless as a riot, or Se wti^f*" °' '""^ J'« «em „ ""Wy leap, fr4, rngto^' * "^'^'''"■g^t^ic" lew enough. Con.eon|"^^'""'~»«"'t""t's«,t. «*b™k4t:^, t''he?ffi.l«*'*>8 Sea, they » the soft fresh t^'Xe^l *"f '^ »»kWe? draught and a myriad of ~^i T ***^ Kke a coS THB XILLI1I6 board, the dewy freshness livened them magically, cleansing from tiieir memories the recent tragedy, so that the girl became herself again. " Where are we going?" she asked, at the end of an hour, pausing for breath. " Why, to the Midas, of course," they said ; and one of them vowed recklessly, as he drank in the beauty of her clear eyes and the grace of her slender, panting form, that he would gladly give his share of all its riches to tmdo what he had done one night on the Santa Maria, II V Hi • 1 CHAPTER V »« *^*' APPEARS '^as the nineteenffci Progress of the Pa,, w ^ •"Wrily ofXZ,*"'^'' '" «>• ship to'"/'*" «*«»8 "Tiafs his ^ece " „ „ "^''*"* "* tie first bo»t ' ""^ SO"* one -ct. tte «mb of ttr^'"«*"'««>ev^^'^':?'' •??" WHfiKBIlf A MAN AFPBAKS with keen* clote-fet eyes, and that indefinable easy movement and polished bearing that oome from confi- dence, health, and travel. Unlike the others, he did not dally on the beach nor display much interest in his surroundings; but, with purposeful frown strode through the press, up into the heart of the city. His companion was Struve's partner, Dunham, a middle- aged, pompous man. They went directly to the offices of Dunham & Struve, where they found the white- haired junior partner. "Mighty glad to meet you, Mr. McNamara," said Struve. "Yournameisahousehold wordinmy part of the country. My people were mixed up in Dakota politics somewhat, so I've always had a great admira- tion for you and I'm glad you've come to Alaska. This is a big country and we need big men." "Did you have any troub.j?" Dunham inquired when the three had adjourned to a private room. T "J"*"^^?'" **»^ Struve, ruefully; "weU, I wonder if I d^. Miss Chester brought me your instructions O. K. and I got busy right off. But, tell m. his— how did you get the girl to act as messenger?" "There was no one else to send," answered Mc- Namara. " Dunham intended saiUng on the first boat but he was detained in Washington with me, and the Judge had to wait for us at Seattle. We were afraid to trust a stranger for fear he might get curious and examme the papers. That would have meant— " He moved his hand eloquently. S^ve nodded. "I see. * Does she know what was m the documents ? "Decidedly not. Women and business don't mix I hope you didn't tell her anything." 49 THB SfOILBtS owners 20 ai,„„;« ? ^"** course do vaJf^ ^^ « go giinnmg for you ? " ^^'^ 'o^ow when .*^«> did that?'' r^ and nearly hamme^'* T" ''j'»8 back^*^ WHBKBIN A HAN APFBARS gentle-mannered old cannibal roamed the streets with a cannon in his hand, breathing fire and pestilence.*' "Anybody else act up?" queried Dunham. "No; all the rest are Swedes and they haven't got the nerve to fight. They couldn't lick a spoon if they tried. These other men are different, though. There are two of them, the old one and a young fellow. I'm a little afraid to mix it up with them, and if their claim wasn't the best in the district, I'd say let it alone." " ru attend to that," said McNamara. Struve resumed: "Yes, gentlemen, I've been worldng pretty hard and also pretty much in the dark so far. I'm groping for light. When Miss Chester brought in the papers I got busy instanter. I clouded the title to the richest placers in the region, but I'm blamed if I quite see the use of it. We'd be thrown out of any court in the land if we took them to law. What's the game— black- mail?" " Humph ! " ejaculated McNamara. " What do vou take me for?" "Well, it does seem small for Alec McNamara, but I can't see what else you're up to." "Within a week I'll be running every good mine in the Nome district." McNamara's voice was calm but decisive, his glance keen and alert, while about him clung such a breath of power and confidence that it compelled belief even in the face of this astoimding speech. In spite of himself, Wilton Struve, lawyer, rake, and gentlemanly adventurer, felt his heart leap at what the other's daring impUed. The proposition was utterly ^M SFOJLfit^ m north, b«cV-rf w * ^^VgeFt ichfttnTrv ''»?'?■ Strove ,?L^J«n»»PM«JJel lit, ^•J'^'«y*« ..^; J«nt you to be utiSJiV^y^ «««oS^ 2« »cl>eme (w^!^'^ '^«' yon^L "'^ "«- W«hiagton ^ ^-Z "« tW o7^^^ ««««<I ri* *"^my"::5^;?'»^X^'i?^H »y Pj«?.th2 ."-^ - .- ft^^tTu* « N-ad^ 'f *he listeners ,.».? '^PtdJy outlinarft • ^O'^ever, Jewess foce of StruvT^ ^° ^'^ «nd 5a WHBKBIll A XAN AFFBAM "By heavenil you're a wondtrl" ht critd. at the doee, " and I'm with you body and loal. It'i danger- oue-ihat't why I Uke it." "Dangerotti?" McNamara ihrugged hit shoulders. "Bahl Where is the danger? We've got the law— or rather, we an the law. Now, let's get to work." It seemed that the Boss of North Dakota was no sluggard. He discarded coat and waistcoat and tack- led the documents which Struve laid before him, going through them like a whirlwind. Gradually he infected the others with his energy, and soon behind the locked doors of Dunham & Struve there were only haste and fever and plot and intrigue. As Helen Chester led the Judge towards the flam- boyant, three-storied hotel she prattled to him light- heartedly. The fascination of a new land already held her fast, and now she felt, in addition, security and relief. Glenister saw them from a distance and strode forward to greet them. He beheld a man of perhaps threescore years, benign of aspect save for the eyes, which were neither dear nor steady, but had the trick of looking past one. Glenister thought the mouth, too, rather weak and vacillating; but the clean-shaven face was dignified by learning and acumen and was wrinkled in pleasant fashion. "My niece has just told me of your service to her," the old gentleman began. " I am happy to know you, sir." "Besides being a brave knight and assisting ladies in distress, Mr. Glenister is a very great and wonderful man." Helen explained, lightly. " He owns the Midas." S3 f '■ ! ■ TM SfOIiBlt "No. Well Lm- Havtyou tofl>.hoSr"f^,St1- ^»--' you wane Wit* "fe^y" 1"';v- ^ ^-^ -y. *?•' *;^ Wm .^^ilT^i *? °- i»m^ U we d« v «d US one ni»k? ; • "^ Wlow named rJii * °oo*t °'"^*''*- Violence.!^,,. 54 WMMIH A HAN APPBARS "Sural Why not? It hat werittd all right btrtto- " But, my dear tir, thoM days are gone. Thf law it here and it it the duty of every one to abide by it." " Well, periiape it ii ; but in thia country we consider a man's mine as sacred as his family. We didn't know what a lock and key were in the early times and we didn't have any troubles except famine and hardship. It's different now, though. Why, there have been more claims jumped around here this spring than in the whole length and history of the Yukon." They had reached the hotel, and Glenlster paused, turning to the girl as the Judge entered. When she started to follow, he detained her. "I came down from the hills on purpose to see you. It has been a long week—" " Don't talk that way," she interrupted, coldly. " I don't care to hear it." "See here— what makes you shut me out and wrap yourself up in your haughtiness ? I'm sorry for what I did that night — I've told you so repeatedly. I've wrung my soul for that act till there's nothing left but repentance." "It is not that," she said, slowly. "I have been thinking it over during the past month, and*now that I have gained an insight into this life I see that it wasn't an unnatural thing for you to do. It's terrible to think of, but it's true. I don't mean that it was pardonable," she continued, quickly, "for it wasn't, and I hate you when I think about it, but I suppose I put myself into a position to invite such actions. No; I'm sufficiently broad-minded not to blame you unreasonably, and I think I could like you in spite of it, just for what you SS w ■:i m ^■« •roaii. ''' 'et them reiil^iH^?**' ***<>««*. if ym^ ^"^ »• wy better w? '^ *>' ^t. » it iS i T^^ '^ Witt jfate^.*- »-« th« sL^^J^ .o»%jn"'" ^ "^ -id ••*. I TO It. Yon ,„ , ^^w". ««*ld.'<bttt to driak to l!^ **" • club h!^ *•* "^xw. Md *•• tun c«aie u'STt''''' *'»» he mn«i^ ? ««»". "^tter. aid S?'^ ** *^ f*«>^^^^V^' ^ •*« • WJiere^Don r"^ • «oM coin m^ *"'"«* "»• "*** "<*• by, t«Jldn,eJ^]^ i«w» to , 56 '• TheMpect Wnftim A HAIf AFFIAM of tht ttraagw cfaaUtoftd iiotiot, lor 1m flood high abov* hit compinkmt with • ptcaUar graoo of atUttido in plit . of th« Awkwardiiiti common in men of groftt ttAtmc. Among thoM who wtr^ UtUning intontly to the man's cartfitUy modnlatod toam, Oloniitor rtoogniiad Mex- ico Ifttllina, the OK-gnmbler who had given Oextry the warning at Unalaika. Aa he further atodied the Uaten- ing group, a drunken man staggered uncertainly throiivh the wide doors of the saloon and, gaining sight of the tall stranger, blinked, then approached him, spei^g with a toud voice: ** WeU, if 'tain't ole Alee McNamarat How do. ye olepiratel" McNamara nodded and turned his back coolly upon the new-comer. " Don't turn your dorul fin to me; I wan' to talk to ye." McNamara continued his cahn discourse till he re- ceived a vicious whack on the shoulder; then he turned for a moment to interrupt his assailant's garrulous pro- fanity: " Don't bother me. I am engaged." **Yewon' talktome, eh? WeU. I'm goin* to talk toivM.see? I guess you'd listen if I told these people all I know about you. Turn around here." His voice was menacing and attracted general notice. Observing this, McNamara addressed him, his words dropping clear, concise, and cold: " Don't talk to me. You are a drunken nuisance. Go away before something happens to you." Again he turned away, but the drunken man seised and whirled him about, repeating his abuse, encouraged by this apparent patience. 57 mi If III "B Sf OILBIS mmMm »'«» of oncer M-if^ " Movements lJt»?- '^ •» A dozen wiliw tho«afc ' ^^'^PPeared. ^*^' " 1^ .fate? '^*"'«' of ^^V:*"^^*' «yi There's a «a»» in this h«^ ^8 ^"" "e« camp/" CHAPTER VI AND A ICINB 18 JT71IPBD WHO'S your new shift boss?" Glenister inqtiired of his partner, a few days later, indicating a man in the cut below, busied in setting a line of sluices " That's old • Slapjack' Simms, friend of mine from up Dawson way." Glenister laughed ii; loderately, for the object was unusually tall and loose-jointed, and wore a soiled suit of yellow mackinaw. He had laid off his coat, and now the baggy, bilious trousers hung precariously from his wigular shoulders by suspenders of alarming frailty. His legs were lost in gum boots, also loose and cavern- ous, and his entire costume looked relaxed and flap- ping, so that he gave the impression of being able to shake himself out of his raiment, and to rise like a burlesque Aphrodite. His face was overgrown with a gmsled tangle that looked as though it had been trimmed with button -hole scissors, while above the brush heap grandly soared a shiny, dome-like head. " Has he always been bald?" "Nawl He ain't bald at aU. He shaves his nob. In the early days he wore a long flowin' mane which was inhabited by crickets, ttee-toads, and such fauna. It got to be a hobby with him finally, so that he growed •up^Btitious about goin' uncurried, and would back » 59 THB SFOlLflls ?-Ich with Ung^^diel^fch 'o°2- "ykpoKS •n himtelf without it w„ C w J*" f^"'**" keep new ooted out through hL^****- ^^PPitabte- Stmnw. an- ha. kept hi. h^ !?° ."^""^ " Slap.«:k "«* of w.te4, the tWcte o/r?'"" ?" ""^'y '^* th^ »nd the heaving line of rf,„ m ** °' ""o^es abreast the tail race, in an atnv»rf, ^ »pladied Oumuth r-thebigwhit.^rwtStt'w^'^ P™'^ J«t-:?e^?„tt1^f«X;t?tt,^l£' p«^;--'^"-°»uSa^va€ gulch was dotted with t^i^Zfu"^"' »"<> "^low the ^ ine two partneri as they AND A MIIIB IS JUMFBD looked on this scene. To wrest from reluctant earth her richest treasures, to add to the wealth of the world, to create— here was satisfaction. " We ain't robbin' no widders an* orphans doin' it, neither," Dextry suddenly remarked, expressing his partner's feelings closely. They looked at each other and smiled with that rare understanding that exceeds words. Descending into the cut, the old man filled a gold- pan with dirt taken from under the feet of the workers, and washed it in a puddle, while the other watched his dexterous whirling motions. When he had finished, they poked the stream of yellow grains into a pile, then, with heads together, guessed its weight, laughing again delightedly, in perfect harmony and contentment. " I've been waitin' a turrible time fer this day," said the elder. •• I've suffered the plagues of prospectin' from the Mevicos to the Circle, an' yet I don't begretch it none, now that I've struck pay." While they spoke, two miners struggled with a bowlder they had unearthed, and having scraped and washed it carefully, staggered back to place it on the cleaned bed-rock behind. One of them slipped, and it crashed against a brace which held the sluices in place. These boxes stand more than a man's height above the bed-rock, resting on supporting posts and running full of water. Should a sluice fall, the rush- ing rtream carries out the gold which has lodged in the riffles and floods the bed-rock, raising havoc. Too late the partners saw the string of boxes sway and bend at the joint. Then, before they could reach the threat- ened spot to support it, Slapjack Simms, with a shriek, plunged flapping down into the cut and seised the flume. 6z THB SPOILBIS n H«» gnat h^ght (tocxl hi- • the joint lwdooen«?^?"'«°*l«tea<> aw ft»^ ™» ear ached under it .. """V 'n such volum* t-h.^ •rfgravel." ^ '*^- ««« blasted boot, i, fm, ^ He seated himself .„^ ♦ boot came away^th" *1d^"' « h" foot till the o' emptying the ,ccumU^^» *""''• ""«>. ^st^ AND A VINE IS JUNFBft the stream that had emerged from the crack in the sluices had carried with it pebbles, sand, and all the concentration of the riffles at this point. Standing directly beneath the cataract, most of it had dived fairly into his inviting waistband, following down the lines of least resistance into his boot-legs and boiling out at the knees. " Wash that," he said. " You're apt to get a pros- pect." With artful passes Dextry settled it in the pan bot- tom and washed away the gravel, leaving a yellow, glittering pile which raised a yell from the men who had lingered curiously. 'He pans forty dollars to the boot-leg," one shouted. *• How much do you run to the foot, Slapjack?" " He's a reg'lar free-milling ledge." " No, he ain't— he's too thin. He's nothing but a stringer, but he'll pay to work." The old miner grinned toothlessly. *' Gentlemen, there ain't no better way to save fine gold than with imdercurrents an' blanket riffles. I'll have to wash these garments of mine an' clean up the soapsuds 'cause there's a htmdred dollars in gold-dust clingin* to my person this minute." He went drip- ping up the bank, while the men returned to their work singing. After lunch Dextry saddled his bronco. *• I'm goin* to town for a pair of gold-scales, but I'll be back by supper, then we'll clean up between shifts. She'd ought to give us a thousand oimces, the way that ground prospects." He loped down the gulch, while hit partner returned to the pit, the flashing shovel 63 li *« 'I' i '( THB SPOlLfiKs ' i jij »"'. b, nw among th«^'E«.'*' °'^*" *« — McNamara— the nuu, ofTiY ^ ^ *•" Northern titte1?'«,2'^iS?^ "''^« come out to «. .bo„, «„ "What about it?" pauaS*"' " "^^ ^^'^^^J •bout a month ago." H, ;;Yc» What of that?" .. ;^;»"o^*y ha. commenced suit " The ground belonw *« t\1 1 cove,^ it. we ojSnS^t ut> ^''. "^ *°^ "*•• ^^ <i«- law and we'« go'^^glo hcJd it^' ve co„,p„ed with the wch conviction and heat ^ to nonS ""f*" '^^ ^^h Namam, who had sat hL^ol ^^^^"f ^*™^*' ^"t Mc •wered ; ^^ '^ *°^ «Iently until now, an^ " Certainly, sir* if vn«,. ♦:*! • tect«J. but the ta;&^^;» i';"^ yo" will be p„,. to let it tiUce it. coune. Tw,?^'^*"/ ""'ve got none whateve^-but bn«fl^ °.° ""^ »' violence- GiUIowy ha. conS^^*f^'> '".'««o» « thi,: Mr. h" enjoined you frS^^S^!*?"'"'""' *•»<=<«« f» receiver to operate thT^^' ""^ "T "PPointed me It'? « «t~orfi^ p*™' "»*" the ~it i, «ttled » ~ riiort that it wouidVunlSt^-^Ji*^-. P'" ««<» tf the daim Uy idle an .^^*°«'« "Shtfal owner »™iei--«), to avoid that, I've AMD A HIMB IS JUMPBD been imt in charge, with inrtructioM to operate it «&d preJve the proceeds lubjert to the court'! order. Mr Voorheei here ii the United States Manhal. He wiU •erve the papen." . ^ . . Gleniiter threw up his hand in a gesture of restraint. "Holdonl Do you mean to teU me that any court would recognise such a daim as Galloway's ?" " The Uw recognises everything. If his grounds are no good, so much the better for you." " You can't put in a receiver without notice to us. Why, good Lord! we never heard of a suit being com- menced. We've never even been served with a sum- mons and we haven't had a chance to argue in our own defence." ^ " I have Just said that this is a remarkable sUte of affairs and unusual action had to be taken," McNamara replied, but the young miner grew excited. •• Look here— this gold won't get away. It's safe m the ground. We'U knock off work and let the claim Ue idle till the thing is settled. You can't reaUy expect us to surrender possession of our mine on tl» mere alle- gation of some unknown man. That's ridiculous. We won't do it. Why, you'U have to let t» argue our case, at least, before you try to put vm off." Voorhees shook his head. "We'll have to foUow instructions. The thing for you to do is to appear before the court to-morrow and have the receiver dis- missed. If your title is as good as you say it is, you won't have any trouble." "You'iB not the only ones to suffer," added Mc- Namara. •• We've taken possession of all the mines below here." He nodded down the gulch. " I'm an officer of the court and under bond — " 6$ »« SFORBtS "How much?" V ":J». to foU^!"' °'««*" *- «I*Uy d.b.tin, wh., J*"." A™v:2S:«*^ «f «," Worn J„d^ s««. fl|« going on withVSlS^ "'SL"""*? o* *• ^. *»» « right««, i it ^ JSl*' «» »h«T«»&; *.U»d till iTl^cktr^;. "••"»««> lowfyTS '•ftp Within and rallv hi. kTI ? ' ^"•" ■• he ttarted ♦,> 3!5\J° ** "«•"«• Whyb. th- . ''°"« ">»* they »M on the mine, below hL„J?S "'*''"»'«? xS tj»g«)tiadwiacapawr«fl°?"'°~~- The title to De, need have no Sni^™"*?!?'?'' *"»* »« "d "t people nowadays W^TL ^™^ ""o "ot rob hon- the girl;, ,0^, wS; 'tJ:,'2^^-»d, »o«over. p^h^ rf hm, jf he gave „p tK foh« ' «»«« think mo« <>'--'. «»ed .e,i,tan°^^''£^Sr«^3lS- AND ▲ HINB IS JITHFBft would not pteaae her. She had laid he wu toe violent, •0 he would ihow her he could ley his levagery egide. She might smile on him approvingly, and that waa worth taking a chance for — anyway it would mean but a few days' delay in the mine's run. As he reasoned he heard a low voice speaking within the open door. It was Slapjack Sinmis. " Step aside, lad. I've got the big un covered." Glenister saw the men on horseback snatch at their holsters, and, just in time, leaped at his foreman, for the old man had moved out into the open, a Winchester at shoulder, his cheek cuddling the stock, his eyes cold and narrow. The young man flung the barrel up and wrenched the weapon from his hands. " None of that, Hank!" he cried, sharply. *' 111 say when to shoot." He turned to look into the nmssles of guns held in the hands of every horseman— every horseman save one, for Alec McNamara sat unmoved, his handsome features, nonchalant and amused, nod- ding approval. It was at him that Hank's weapon had been levelled. " This is bad enough at the best. Don't let's make it any worse," said he. Slapjack inhaled deeply, spat with disgust, and looked over his boss incredtdously. " Well, of all the different lands of damn fools," he snorted, " you are the kindest." He marched past the marshal and his deputies down to the cut, put on his coat, and vanished down the trail towards town, not deigning a backward glance either at the mine or at the man unfit to fight for. IT! CHAPTER VII •x^ker tt of th. biUlrt^'^ "**' '"^ " <'*P"y <rf th. K-nTtea';^ rf"b^: t^ ^ «^. the h.U h«. tempting W'lSJtS'oSlSr^' • «'«^ «tage. They piav-d . ^ir , • '* ^"^ «oved to th« TBB ••BIOMCO Kli'S" ■AYBSBIOPPllia th« df iotfi, until aU joined tt tht top not* in a yell, white the drummer fired a .44 Colt into a box o( wet eawdttst betide hie chair— all in time, all in the iwinf ing spirit of the tune. The men, who were moetly young, danced like coltege boys, white the women, who were all young and good dencen, floated through the meaeuree with the eaie of rose-teavee on a eummer etreem. Facet were flushed, eyee were bright, and but rarely a voice tounded that wat not glad. Mott of the loita came from the men, and although one caught, here and there, a hint of hag- gard linet about the girliih facee, and glimpaed occa- sional eyet that did not tmile, yet at a whote the aoene wat one of genuine enjosrment. Suddenly the mutic ceated and the couples crowd- ed to the bar. The women took harmleat drinkt; the men, mostly whitkey. Harely wat the choice of poutions criticised, though occasionally some ruddy eschewer of sobriety insisted that hte lady ** take the same," avowing that " hootch," having been demon- strated beneficial in his case, was good for her also. Invariably the lady accepted without dispute, and invariably the man ^iled to note her glance at the bar- tender, or the silent substitution by that capabte per- son of ginger-ate for whiskey or of plain water for gin. In turn, the mixers collected one dollar from each man, flipping to the girl a metal percenti^e-check which she added to her store. In the curtained boxes overhead, men bought bottles with foil about the corks, and then subterfuge on the lady's part was idte,but, on the other hand, she was able to pocket for each bottte a check redeemabte at five dollars. A stranger, straight from the East, would have re- 69 THB SPOILBIS I m i of th. „«, rsr;J^ SrS.m'* ^'"'^ «"»«»- h- ^!" !S*„*^£?"'?-«»" ««>«. w«, b., '«o tay .oot. tS tISS '" ''"!• ">•••" •boot tht »•••, of home, of wm»L w?*.. ^°*5^ **'^««* of butj. o« tb. North hU STtSLL V"^ '^^ "y^ »W.tilyofthi„g,"h^*^4^,;j''-. •"<« ibv tp?!. with tfanph diflldmc. tlMMrtJ!!«. !rJ? ''°' " «eomit«d Plithment. ^"""•*'»^»*ori«ofth.irMeom. imtnm in movement ISl ♦ ^ "" »* *'^. •nd loown ai .uZfji. *° "°"*' "» of voice O-It the W^"^*^*""?* women. Hetad wondered inwnrdl^ ' **"** "^ fcJ«d. they 8.«.Td' :JS:'vi/„!L' "^ "^ *»-«''*. f«» Sw«J. •»<> be WMT^ienS^'??.'''''*^^ »'>'•'''>» «wS! tbe king end wUh i^T.? '""""• * Jew „t Vt "-ex. H'-'vent^.tj/lSti^^^ TIB -llOHCO Kir%" 1ATB81I0PFIHG ttm, wWto <nstrid«i to thi mimbj ol f<mr or ftvt «Jt toiiUmdic«Ilyw«th«n.UUtt. The gi«iMPrw di«c^ to Slow; conMqiwntly tho lookout. «»«?} ^» ™~ Jwt. WM teaning forwMd. chin in hMid. white tho f«mp WM hwlgwl about by ••£«- on-lbokwi. Faro it a clotwl book to mort p«>pto. for iu totrtca- ciei ara confuting. Lucky it he who ha«j nwer pefw aeveted in tolving itt mytteriet nor tfecalatcd upon the "lyttemt" of beating it. From '.i.osc v.io t .ive teamed it. the game demandt practico aexvrity. aua coolneit. The dealer mutt run the ctrrU wa ch the many thifting beU. handte the neatly piled cnecU. fisuie. lightning-Uke. the profiu ar 1 loss* s. U v .«^ his unerring, clock Uke regularity in thit that hiui v. m th« Kid hU reputation. Thit night hit powers svcre t cd. He dealt tUently. tcowlingly, hit kmg wl.ito Ixngen nervoutly caretping the cardt. Thit preoccupation prevented hit noticing the ruette and ttir of a new-comer who had crowded up behtod him. until he caught the wondering glancet of thote in front and taw that the Itraelite wat ttaring pait hmi, hit money forgotten, hit eyet beady and •h«2»°» J»*" like teeth thowing in a grin of admiration. Swede Sam glared from under hit unkempt thock and felt uncer- tainly towardt the open collar of hit flannel thirt where a kerchief thould have been. The men who were ttMid- ing gated at the new-comer, tome with turprite, otheft with a half tmile of recognition. Bronco glanced quickly over hit thoulder, and at he did to the breath caught in his throat— but for only an instent. A girt stood so close beside him that the lace of her gown brushed his sleeve. He was thuflaing at the moment and dropped a card, then nodded to her. 7« !:' U h ;! ^n S?OILB«S one did not An*«f»^ ■■ ■•'•<«»••• " Wbl^^:^y ewtfaued to look « ♦.. iong want, all w«iit a: i "'^'nded butt and h.-«- ^ to«h VJ.*"*' ""<' her miUa^^ '^ «»»">ed low " •• I'tf' f„ C!;hl?n ^"^ "^'""^o. th. lookout oetter not It*« i, _j her voice wm imp,ij^,''j;;1»^" "id the Kid, but t««;l»d in her ti^S^^j'^" -"led in hi. cfc.f, 7a i;;r: TBI "BIOMCO KIB'S" BAYBSDROPPIMG t« < ' Throw him out, Bronco," the Mid, and h«r tones held the hardness of a mistress to her slave. «• That's all right," the Kid reasstued the lookout. " She's a better dealer than I am. This is Cherry Malotte." Without noticing the starss this evoked, the girl commenced. Her hands, beautifully soft and white, flashed over the board. She dealt rapidly, unfalter- ingly, with the finish of one bred to the cards, handling chips and coppers with the peculiar mannerisms that spring from long practice. It was seen that she never looked at her check -rack, but, when a bet required paying, picked up a stack without turning her head; and they saw further that she never reached twice, nor took a large pile and sized it up against its mate, re- moving the extra disks, as is the custom. When she stretched forth her hand she grasped the right num- ber unerringly. This is considered the acme of pro- fessional finish, and the Bronco Kid smiled delight- edly as he saw the wonder spread from the lookout to the spectators and heard the speech of the men who stood on chairs and tables for sight of the woman dealer. For twenty minutes she continued, until the place became congested, and never once did the lookout detect an error. While she was busy, Glenister entered the front-door and pushed his way back towards the theatre. He was worried and distrait, his manner perturbed and unnat- uml. Silently and without apparent notice he passed friends who greeted him. " What ails Glenister to-night?" asked a by-stander. •• He acts funny." I I'm THB SPOILBIS "d questioned him. *" ^- ^ 'topped . wSi A moment later Gl«H,t-*-l "• of the bo, door «d thf ^^ ^f^""" «>7 th. c^k Go out, pleaee," heMS^-5 '^'«» »Wt.. want conjp^y ,. ' J^^C^^*"^' "^^-t g fl had come forward and I.mI !^ "*• <**»«J. for the ">» cheek,. ° •»"* '"<» >>«• two hot hand, u,^ about yourself. Ut me ^'TJ^/^ Now. telf,^ She pulled him towardslh.Ti.^"*' ^"»^^^ " •devouring him hung^ly ^,L tr'^^^^ "P^aM. 7^ *^*' languorout •yet. li! WELL, SHE SAID, " KISS ME I' I * llll L. TIB ««BBORCO KII'S" BATBSBIOPPIMQ le held to Ills coat kpeli, ttanding doM beiido him, w»nn bmth beating up into hit face. •• Well." she said, *' Idss mel'* He took her wristo in his and loosed her hold, then [looked down on her gravely and said: *• No— that's aU over. I told yo* so when I left [Dawson«" " All over! Oh no, it isn't, boy. You think so, but it isn't— it can't be. I k)ve yon tarn much to let you " Hushl" said he. **Tlw« are people in the next box." " I don't caret Let them hear," she cried, with feminine recklessness. " I'm proud of my Icrmm for yoo. ni tell it to them— to the whole world." " Now. see here, little girl," he said, q«ietly, " we had a long talk in Dawson and agreed that it was best to divide our ways. I was mad ovtt you once, as a good many other men have been, but I came to my senses. Nothing could ever remit from it, and I told you so." *' Yes. yes — I know. I thoi^fht I could giv« you up, tat I didn't realise till you had gcme how I wasted you. Oil, it's been a torture to me every day for the past tw» years." There was no semblance now to the cold creature she had appeared upon entering the gambling - hall. She spoke rapidly, her whole body tease with emotion, her voice i^ken with passkm. " I've seen men and men and men, and they've k>ved me, but I never cared for anybody in the world till I saw you. They ran after me, but you were cold. You made me come to you. Perhaps that was it. Anyhow, I cant stand it. I'll give up everything — I'll do any- • 71 M TM SPOILBIS 17^^ 7^^^^ Oi>. I've lort my prid^'m '?;1~* '«>*-*>«* I can't help it." ^ P«»-i m I m tony you feel this way," Mid Gleiii«t«. •• u i«j2^«y fault, and it in't of ^V Se " ^^* '* »» an instant she stood quiverinff whik thm UmK4, <1W out of her face; then, wiSi a S2LZS!;. u ^** .be smiled tiU the dimplei U^heStSScflS ««k upon . seat bende him and puuS Se^ curtains, shutting out the sight betoST ^^^ '^ •nd^dlS it~*?T '^rX* ^ ^^ to her chedt •uu cuaaiea tt. I m glad to see you iust thm •..^^ "^y?" «m't keep me fmm layiogZi^ ^ With hi. other h«d he smoothed h« hair while -„ know, to him »d ben..Sw lightoeTrtl^t "Bah! You know what to do Ym> ««»«'«. • i ■^mt'.^, five fing^ ,„ y^ ^~^,.' • »«». «^ to^'" Llr* '?L:'^ '^♦^ ""* I- in a rec^iVArlTK- ^\ ^^^ jumped us and put dA ^ITr^ "^ man-by the name of McNamanl man Jeamed of it he nearly went cra«v W- fc-T ^^ Not he. .«d the girl. " I know him «d he kno« y«r m Nome-Bill Wheeton-and we've tried to have 7« THB ••BIOMCO IirS" BAVBSIIOPPINQ the l^iu]lctioll ramoved. We'vt oflmd bond in any turn, but the Judge rrfuMi to accept it. We've enued for.leeve to appeal, but he won't give us the right. Th« more I look into it the wone it teems, for the court waw t convened in accordance with law, we weien't noUfied to appear in our own behalf, we weren't al- towed a chance to argue our own caie— nothing. They •unply flapped on a receiver,and now they refuse to al- tow us radress. Prom a legal stand-point, it's appalling. I m told; but what's to be done? What's theiame? That s the thing. What are they up to? I'm neariy out of my mind, for it's aU my fault. I didn't think h meant any thing like this or I'd have made a fi^ht for posseseton and stood them oflf at least. As it is, my partner's sore and he's gone to drinking— first time in twelve years. He says I gave the claim away, and now ** ! V^JZ ^T.*^ *^ Almighty to get it back. If he geta tvm be 11 dnve a four-horse wagon into some church, or go up and pick the Judge to pieces with his fingers to see what makes him go itmnd." " What 've they got against you and Dextry— some grudge ? " she questioned. "No, no? We're not the only ones in trouble: »^ ve jumped the rest of the good mines and put this McNamara in as receiver on all of them, but that's small comfort. The Swedes are crasy; they've hired aU the lawyers in town, and are murdering more good Amencan language than would fill Bering Strait. Dex IS m favor of getting our friends together and throwing the recewrer off. He wants to kill somebody, but we cantdoAat. They Ve got the sokiiers to fall back on. we ve been warned that the troops are instructed to enforce the court's action. I dcm't know what the plot n I i TBB SPOIIBIS The girl? What girl? WhoiiAe?" •» the CM might iT^H^ ^"^' '"^"'- '"»^. 1 oe girt I intend to inmmr"i.ji..M < . . »wr between the eye.^^^' ''••^•»»<>»>y.Ioolda« the^SiSST iSd'SS;^*tt^?f*' *° ''^* "«•«•«> «>« the Mon» rt^^TiS"..'^' ""'• •«• "I" felt better. H^ZmJ^^u **•«>"•' 't left her the b«. •■owever"^.':^?:*'*;.*'^?^"' the remark on opened Md theh^of thX^i v-^"* "* ** •»» retirri inrtently ^1,^^^ '"^ •'"*^' «•» every .nch of them-noted the^^JTSS^^^ 7* TM «BIORCO Ill's- BATBSaiOPPine Ut Mn had t*M^ poi« of the wora«n-,rt,a, ««^t pm ol Ghniiter'i .pe«*. .|«-'T1JL![!"\"^ *"•" •^ Ch«ny. quietly -l oon t knaw who the ii but I »»••« •'''•""»'/• * ^^ t. •"• »• o»« 1 won t let jrou many She rote and imoothed her lUrtt. It • time nioe people were goiiw now" Shtmmuiu WW. a .nyer at hemlf. "xJK^i thZT^L TLT!L^ ground «v.gely th«>«ih the toblccS ni >*r M CHAPTER VIII OBXTKT MAKIt A CAtt 1 Cbetter. and rarely did a fair day oan witlwZ r« u *^^«*?'**»ff We, along it. edge, the ihiM^ iJrfi^S^"^ ^u w V? • ^onr pulled high up on the ^^' ^wif r*" the bright .unriiine, and rtarii^ at Se Sl^iS hll r "*' r^*«*»«« wrinkled h^ hf^ jrae wind had blown for lome daya tili the ocean be«t ^ !^,«»« -^-"ow bar. aS now leTJScSS.* qmeter longriioremen were launching their craftpw! Ptnng to resume their traffic. * ^ ftte^t nUrfwtune come to her. and although .he ImS h«^ no hint of fraud, die began to reaS^thS thS ime involved in a .eriou. tangle. To the quwtioS ttat th«r diffictdty arose from a technicality ^tS mining laws which another man had h^-n sh«i«? enough to profit by. It was a compHcatS V«"^ W« ^?K ^"*r «"*; She had undertaken to r^iS him of ^e service these men had done her. but with to influence his judicial attitude, and she must not«- 80 !( I i 1 II MZTIT HAKBS A CALL dMvor to jmjiadiot him in Um diMhwn of hit dutr •^ M'-iod«ti», but it lUl M«i6d fonrign wdS^ the Anvil Cn»k mine., dit understood nSuiing wd cared leee. particuUriy m a new intereet had but re- ^^^L^]^^^ "'*' •" ^*^* *° the form of a of ?l.^t.J?r7**ii"*^' hUf-concealed admiration V ]^?l!^***i***' '*P^*y increaMd untU hat attentions had become of a Angularly poeitive and retittleit char* acter. Of one like Alec McNamara couM but flatter any girt. In hit pretence. Helen felt hertelf rebelling at hit tuit yet at d^ce teparated them the thought ever mor^ kmdlyofit. ThittUte of mind contratted oddly with hjT feelingt towardt the other man the had met. for in ^counljy there were but two. When Glenitter wat with her the taw hit love lying nakedly in hit eyet and It ttcerctMd tome tpell which drew her to him in tpite of herself, but when he had gone, back came the dit- tetttt. the terror of the brute the felt wat there be- T^ !t *"\ J"** ^* •ppealed to her while pretent. the other pled ttrongett whUe away. Now the wat at- tempting to analyse her feelingt and face the future tquarely. for the realised that her affaire neared a critit. and this too, not a month after meeting the men. She jnondwed if the would come to love her uncle't friend. She did not know. Of the other she wat ture-«he never could. «— »«• •i matoeort mmuition im cnait (ANSI and SO TEST CHART No. 2) 1.0 1.1 Itt u 124 lU m |4J v& 12S lu |U |j6 ^ >^1PPLIED HVMGE Inc ^ 1 653 East IMn StrMt ^S J^!»lri."rjf^ '*«» us* (7«e) 4aa-0300-Phonr (7I«) 2*8 -9069 -Fa. h i i 1. t « i ; I . THB SPOILBKS Uusied with these reflections, she noticed the familiar kfmn?Lr7>r"'^'""^ ^^"^^"^^^y- «« ^^ ^ot un. w^i' T r^ ^'' ^''' ^""^^ ^*' *^« impression of pro- ^JJ ^s!^«P\^f .ness Spying her, he approached and seated himself m the sand against the boat whUe at her greeting he broke into talk as if he was netful only of her riend y presence to stir his confidential choi^ mto active vibration. "«*«» r^llZ^'-^ in turrible shape, miss," he said. "Our oLt^f'J""l?f^-T Son^^b^^y run in and talked the boy out of It while I was gone, and now we can't get 'em all brought m this summer. I've been drunk-thafs what makes me look so ornery." He said the last, not in the spirit of apology for rarely does your frontiersman consider that his self- indulgences require palliation, but rather after the manner of one purveying news of mild interest, as he would mform you that his surcingle had broken ir that he had witnessed a lynching. "What made them jump your claim?" "I don't know. I don't know nothin' about it be- cause, as I remarked previous. I 'ain't follered the'tot- term footsteps of the law none too close. Nor do I ?^rA^\ "'""P^^ ^^^^^ °"* °^ *^^ g^"^e fer a spell, and lets the youngster have his fling; then if he can't ""'r^'T^ la '^'^ *'^ '^^^ ^"^ '°-h ^* ^or h4 Its like the time I was ranchin' with an English- tortune of bein a younger son, whatever that is and ^grubstaked to a ranch by his people back home. Havin acquired an intimate knowledge of the West by readm Bret Harte. and havin' assim'lated the secrets 83 OBXTRT MAKES A CALL of ranchin* by correspondence school, he is fitted ample, to teach us natives a thing or two—and he does it. I am workin' his outfit as foreman, and it don't take long to show me that he's a good-hearted feller, in spite of his ridin'-bloomers an' pinochle eye-glass. He ain't never had no actual experience, but he's got a Henry Thompson Seton book that tells him aU about ever3rthing from field-mice to gorrillys. "We're troubled a heap with coyotes them days, and finally this party sends home for some Rooshian wolf-hounds. I'm fer pizenin' a sheep carcass, but he says: •••No, no, me deah man; that's not sportsman-like; we hunt em. Ay, hunt 'em I Only fawncy the sport we 11 have, ridin' to hounds!' '"We will not,' says I. ' I ain't goin' to do no Simon Legree stunts. It ain't man's size. Bein' English, you don t count, but I'm growed up.' "Nothin' would do him but those Uncle Tom's Cabin dogs, however, and he had 'em imported clean from Berkshire or Sibeery or thereabouts, four of 'em, great big, blue ones. They was as handsome and imposin' as a set of solid-gold teeth, but somehow they didn't seem to savvy our play none. One day the cook rolled a rain bar'l down-hill from the kitchen, and when them blooded critters saw it comin' they throwed down their tails and tore out like rabbits. After that I couldn't see no good in 'em with a spy-glass. •'•They 'ain't got no grit. What makes you think they can fight?' I asked one day. r n 'u^'^^i*' ' ^^^^ H'Anglish. 'My deah man, they're full-blooded. Cost seventy pun each. They're dread- ful creatures when they're roused— they'll tear a wolf 83 m J i) i i * ; ! Oh I Rully, THB SPOILERS to pieces like a rag~ldll bears-anything. perfectly dreadful r thlTf V^* '^*!?'* * ""^^ ^**^ *^*t ^« ^«nt over to the east line with me to mend a barb wire. I had mv ?rn?*S u* *''^®.* *"^ '^^'^ ^**P^««- About a mUe from the house we jumped up a little brown bear that scampered off when he seen us, but bein' agin' a bluff where he couldn't get away, he climbed a cotton-wood AngJ«h was simply frothin' with excitement. '. . _^hat a misfortunel Neyther gun nor hounds.' T .J- ^u ^*^^ ^''^ ^^^ P^««y to him,' says I. while you run back and get a Winchester and th«n ferocious bull-dogs.' Wolf-hounds,' says he, with dignity, ' full-blooded JToT ^ r" rT^ ^^.'y'" '""^ **^^ P^' ^^t ""'b foHhem ^* *° **' ^""^ '* '" ^® ^'^ P'*^*^^ •"They may be good renders. ' says I, 'but don't for- git the gun. " W«". I throwed sticks at the critter when he tried to unclimb the tree, till finally the boss got back with his dogs. They set up an awful holler when they see ^l rfn'T^f * °°® ^^^^'^ ^^^'' ^"^«"«1' I reckon-and the little feller crawled up in some forks and watched things, cautious, while they leaped about, bayin' most fierce and blood-curdlin*. !i ! p ° V°" ^°*°' ^ ^^* ^^ ^°^« ?' says I. 1 IJ shoot him in the lower jaw,' says the Britisher so he cawn t bite the dogs. It '11 give 'em cawnfidence.' He takes aim at Mr. Bear's chin and misses it three times runmn', he's that excited. dnihu *^- ^"""^ H'Anglish.' says I. • He 'ain't got no double chins. How many shells left in your gun ?' DEXTRY MAKES A CALL «• When he looks he finds there's only one more, for he hadn't stopped to V\ the magazine, so I cautions him. '* ' You're shootin* too low. Raise her.' " He raised her all right, and caught Mr. Bruin in the snout. What followed thereafter was most too quick to notice, for the poor bear let out a bawl, dropped off his limb into the midst of them ragin', tur'ble, seventy- pun hounds, an' hugged 'em to death, one after another, like he was doin' a system of health exercises. He took 'em to his boosum as if he'd just got back off a long trip, then, droppin' the last one, he made at that younger son an' put r, gold fillin' in his leg. Yes, sir; most chewed it off. H'Anglish let out a Siberian-wolf holler hisself , an' I had to step in with the hatchet and kill the brute though I was most dead from laughin'. "That's how it is with me an* Glenister," the old man concluded. "When he gets tired experimentin' with this new law game of hisn, I'll step in an' do business on a common-sense basis." "You talk as if you wouldn't get fair play," said Helen. " We won't," said he, with conviction. " I look on all lawyers with suspicion, even to old bald-face — your uncle, askin' your pardon an' gettin' it. bein' as I'm a friend an' he ain't no real relation of yours, anyhow. No, sir; they're all crooked." Dextry held the Western distrust of the legal profes- sion — comprehensive, unreasoning, deep. "Is the old man all the kin you've got?" he ques- tioned, when she refused to discuss the matter. "He is — in a way. I have a brother, or I hope I have, somewhere. He ran away when we were both 8S TBfi SPOILBIS little tads and I haven't sMm hi^ • Wm. indirectly, .rsfa^v-t^^^"*' ' ^"^ "»"» the big ™,h i; the Sfto w ^T ''«^'f""e home. When father died I wi» . ,?" "•^*'" '««» cruel to hide f~m me tKl ?o^ ?i'"'~*''*'- "«'» two left and I've loved Wm Itt*"^" "« «»'/ ^ over the heavi„g'^„"':;~„«»y '^"'^ '"""'y <»•» of Jon'e; tt" "rr It JS'l "t"" ' "•"■• "'- the thought that lay uZZ^t H- " •":'^'"« *» we'd be up against itT^fi,?^? ° *"' '"'"'^' <»«» couldn-t haV.'aZLi\7^, ' -« --^"'t- The W proceedings, because thev^eS iJ^^ r" "^- ''I* brandied peaches an' siZndersWns™ """ Weve got a feTer ^mTi 7"*^ ''^''^ "P there. Steal it'? Welt trdirTltTan-rrr; '* "o"- without a stick of <.■•—*• iT- f" * ™*t her open in five ma« an°the^ «„.7?"='l''°'"<' '°«^e everyb^ heavy, n"; ft-s salr the '"fh^" »« iKxiily-shT's to^ tH. receiverU X^^t'hlng^" j?^^'^!" ^ -" through tt d^Tdrf^'f "r"^"''^ "- -p main, muddy thoroZfal rf tir''*' "'?** *° "^e p-anued and <^r..^J'j:z:i:^:^u^y^'^ It g n e s B / MXTIT MAKES A CALL «t.-ntly. and no foot-pas Jngere™enw.Th™K;Lw '°°" ventured off the pJta thSI^I^ hoSe'T/h*:^'' nJl ? ».'P'"hing team, Dextry pull^ his cZ' Although It was late in the afternoon the Bronco Kid had she dared WW *° P^*" '" ^°^ carefully f^r fi^* 1 ?' , * ^^^'^ companion moved forward At the first look the Bronco Kid had broW^n «ff •' i^ 87 THB SfOILBiS twwn the building,. tumTLlte^T ^"""^ ^• •e«ped from bouS to wS ^Sz^.^ '""* »*"•*. of w.ter till to rewhedZ Z^Jr* *'T«'' P""''*'" mud from hi, rto« ,JS dSi,w!,!^1. St-^Ping the fairviewof them Htr«.^V2 *^ «""•"*■• 8»™«I a face and figu„ then JX^J'^'P' "'" »' *"» 8^''» his direction, he ,toX aw^ ^ *^, "-eye. in ever, at a distance, till he saw thl » ,'°"°''«'. how- on up to the big hotel h! .J V 5"" '"''• >»•'. then i.t./hewasdSfkSrgt'L''^,Zi:"^ * ■"•'-"o^ an acquaintance who tJ2t^IL°u^ bar-room with tails behind the hote° ^^ *° "^ mechanical de- ^^. Who's the girl I saw come in just now?" he in- "I guess you mean the Judge's niece " witea^^* ■■" *■» O-' -f^«l tone, that go ."What's her name?" ^.^Cbester. I think. Why? Look good to you ba^KSs'™*^' h"f &^ -- »«" ««"■ the continued, with a ,^do„,',""* " ««l<«iMcence and while he adjust^^" •"!,!'«?«'»* his own "flection can^avej/ I've'^t'S ^^^ /JeU. she an ifttio^ t^aTst^a^'u':^^ ^^ '^'- '"^^'^'^ ^^th Then, as he went ^^ttt ^^nt^"" "'' "-""S- 88 •BXHT NAKBS A CALl ;- d^hevelled. .„d hi. .y„ .C^ehttcn^'^l^' ^m^t d-youthink they'v. don. nowr'h. cri«i.„ ' monly/^'"" ^"'^'^ °P^ *^« »*f« and taken our "What I" wJohhfhaStlt'LSGi!,? -M"*' *"• <^^' fo^ott«. in thi.'r^l^Si^r"' '^^ '•' '"^' Yes, by Heaven, they've swinA^ ««« ^ tents, took, team,, books^ h^sT^^S^, ^°^~^ property-everythingl TheTihrew T.hn " "^^"^ took the whole works iVr.! "1 L"* I""°" °' ""^ I went out to'tr^ J^dTh 'r^^LTL' *''"^- near the workings. They've mt^™?, • * T «° Creek guarded t?e same ^^AfnVSar rii":" let us come around even wh.„ A ■ ^"'"^ *° told me so this ^ngr "''"" '^^ ''*" "P- They '■ But look here," demanded Dextrv shan Iv •• »h money in that safe belongs to us Skt', ^in * brought in from the StatS Tte court ■finT'^ "* take m not killing the fet man ^hat it^ ^n"^; 89 ! I' THB SPOI'.BIS g«n)e. The Swed«t ■!» in the teme at^o?Thi u . order hu left them groggy." ""•'"•*<»• Thletaet •• I^"''* »»dent«.d it yet." uid Dextiy. Why, It I thu w»y. The Judge h»» inued wh.t h. thing on the claim»-tente, tools, etoree. and iMfJn.1 property of .11 kind.. It wm i„,^ uS ntoht^SZ^ notice to our «de. «, Wheeton «y.. ."d th!y Jl^^t this moming e«ly. I went out to Ue McS^ „d .h:wrm:ttrnewt,r"' '"'"'• ^''*'»»'>« n,.^'el'".!?/ri'"'i V* ""^ ^^ ^"^ penny of thi, "e^ rf that I -.^•r.lr ' *^"^ *~' °" «'•<='»'«'• I» -Nofg^nrt^e'Si??rr.*s::°f"^' y.u won-t ,et u, .ee the c.eaf-IX!„ ou^ o^S " • I'm an officer of the court and under hn»A * .-:j he. and «,e ,»iU„g triump, i„ hi,".y«"t'5e'r ^i^' And you re going too far. You play^ me for.Toi marshal the prosecuting attorney-^vervbodv Vp* ^ers^ii- Ckii--^' -- -- - 99 MXT«Y MAIBS A CALL « 1 '*! ^"** " Mexico Mullins saic] •• n . there', a deal on of some Wnd i'« f- T'^^^''^^! hotel an' call on the Judge mv^if r^ ^^l" "P *^ -^e J' 11 nor thi, McNamara dtW ; n *'"^ "«^«'' -«« attempted to take hi. nam! h„ I " ' '?"»• A boy •«"« of the neck a^dZTbi^l^""^ '"'" "^ «>. «J- Hearing voics he iJ^Ji^"* *" •""■ **•" *«ct. •waiting a sl^JZl w:,,^!'""" *"" *"«'• ''"'-* r^^JXX^I^ - ?"• -'"' "-"' '•"•. •t on both side,. TW men were tX"" °'^«^ '""^ one gray-haired, smooth ^. */"^« earnestly— the miner knew that before Wn, ^" *"' «'"><» come to see. and that ^^ityZT^}^. "^ "• ^ one. the big man who .w .^..- ^*^ *° "'*«' with but engaged, sir. WiU v^!^n ■ •^"^«*' "^'"y b<«ily Dextiy looked W? **!'" ™ ''»« "> hour?" then tuSeThfa baS r'h- '^'"'j^ f"™ ^^^ ^ foot Neither he nor^Mctan^^^^p,-' M^ *'"' ^^■ busy and e„ch instinctivelvTi^;.?. . ?*" *y«* "ere " What do you wlntJ-l,^ ""'^ ''*'* "as a foe. THB SPOILBIS I ii here. I reckon, if your Uttle French poodld— «h?" in* diCtecing Stillman. " What do you mean?" «aid McNamara, while the Judge murmured indignantly. " Jutt what I fay. However, that ain't what I want to talk about. I don't Uke no stock in luch truck at judges an' lawyers an' orders of court. They ain't in- tended to be took serious. They're all right for chil- dren an' Easterners an' non compos mentis people, I s'pose. but I've always been my own judge, jury, an* hangman, an' I aim to continue workin' my legislatif, executif, an' judicial duties to the end of the string. You 1c k out! My pardner is young an' seems to like the idee of lettin' somebody else run his business, so I'm goin' to give him rein and let him amuse himself for a while with your dinky little writs an' receiverships. But don't go too far— you can rob the Swedes, 'cause Swedes ain't entitled to have no money, an' some other crook would get it if you didn't, but don't play me an' Glenister fer Scandinavians. It's a mistake. We're white men, an' I'm apt to come romancin' up here with one of these an' bust you so you won't hold together durin* the ceremonies." With his last words he made the slightest shifting movement, only a lifting shrug of thv^ shoulder, yet in his palm lay a six-shooter. He had slipped it from his trousers band with the ease of long practice and abso- lute surety. Judge Stillman gasped and backed against the desk, but McNamara idly swung hi', leg as he sat jidewise on the table. His only sign of interest was a quickening of the eyes, a fact of which Dextry made mental note. Yes," said the miner, disregarding the alarm of the 9« *4 MXTIT KAKBS A CALL n^rC'l!'V"^ ""^ **>» ««*rt « your vett-pocket ^ lepkcd bu weapon wd, turning. wlW out the /'■^ ll 11 !l V CHAPTER IX SLUICE ROBBERS later. when McNamara jamped our safe h« put us down and out. There's no Le Kg ta thS court any longer, for the Judge won't let us work Te ground ourselves, even if we give bond, and he won't grant an appeal. He says his orders arei't app^^ We ought to send Wheaton out to 'Frisco^have him take the case to the higher courts. Maybe he ca^ get a writ of supersedeas." /"<= ne can "I don't rec'nize the name, but if it's as bad as it sounds It's sure horrible. Ain't there no cure f^ Hi" It simply means that the upper court would take the case away from this one." "Well, let's send him out quick. Every day means "Yes. but Where's the money to do it with' Mc- Namara has ours. My God I What a mess we're inl h^ 5:°^\r-«. •>«". Dex! There's a conspiracy here. I m beginning to see it now that it's too late This man is looting our c-ountry under color rf law and figures on gutting all the mines before we cm throw hm, off. That's his game. He'll work *^^ 94 SLUICE KOBBERS WM Z becot'e of t^^'j:' «--" only Icnows men behind him in order TS^' rx"^ "^"^* have big struck pay I don't aim ?„ T^'^ ^*'^^ "°'' *hat I've can't wi„^,ut ac^rdi™ to W r" ".^.'» ^^^ton accoidin' to justice." ' ' "" 8°™ '<> Proceed the°:^t4-X' wl^°tt?,lt'''''*"^ "^ '"""'*«• counsel for the .SeandLavSL fe "'«?'"'^ "'* *« trying every possible n-^ftT: ■ ^"^"^ ^nd pleaded mificein21rcnf4?e™f^°Sf' ^"/l "nprofessionl the court, while hou/^ tW h, A° "'"'"'^ ™Ws of suspicious of some sinister „?. """^ """^ strongly ful -ndei^tandi^g bT4 o PtheTr' '"■'''^«"' P""^^ njechanism of justice Thevhl/f8\a„d 'h" entire of men who battle for li e Tnd^^°"^''* '^'h ^e fury hnes of Stillman's vacillaw fe S°T *° ''ate the d'Strict-attomey, and X ZvK *' *« '''"^'er of the clerks, for it se^^tJthatthr^^''^ confidence of the like toys, at the dTct*:^ of A^ T^"^ "echanicaUy, ^hen they had ceas^ bLte^^ «f »!«». At last were too confused with iechnir=. I ^l^austed, they thing except the fact «,»!,• ?' ^^^"^ *° grasp any. their clainfs weret' S w:^:^^ tlT"'"' '^^' *« as a crowning defeat, theJSll fh*?!/T™'''' ^^' move his court to St Mid.ad?S,H\ ^^J-x^ge would he returned, a month later " "° <=**« "ntil •ayt^"^;^ r/;?p":d'&^'- '-^'^ -" "e could no npped the placers open with double t . w THE SPOILEIS shifts. Every day a stream of yellow dust poured into the bank and was locked in his vaults, while S^o^^l! eS r ° t?""P?^ *° ^^*°^^ '^' clean-ups^ere Sithfnc^X.1'''.^^^'- ?^ P^"*i^^" had worked I?tPr o^^ ^ swiftness and system, and a fortnight after landmg he had made good his boast to Struve and was m charge of every good claim in the district' ^^Trr.r'' °"'''^' '^^^ ^PP^^^^ ^^^^^d and de-' nied, and the court gone for thirty days leaving him most of his victims, who were slow-witted Swedes grasping neither the purport nor the magnitude of hfs oi«ration and as to those litigants who were discen^! s to'Shwan 4nr""'*'' "" *™'*^ *° ">« °^-- The two partners had come to feel that they were " beating against a wall, and bad also come squ Jelyl^ face the proposition that they were withourfundl wherewith to continue their battle. It was madZ- at .v^' ?,! "i''^ ^"""^ °"* ™«°y ""nces of gold at evenr shift; and more maddening to realize the re- ZtM,"'""?*^ in crippling them by his t^ft of t^e go d in their safe. That had been his crowning st«x>ke vou ^Inv"" ^** r"*^ '""<=''•" ^"i Glenistef . " Dn you thmk we can borrow ? " in Ifa^'skaT' ^' ' '°^^^ ^''''"^' " ^°^^' ^°°'* ^^°^ "^^^^^^ They relapsed into a moody silence MidL'^'thLM"'' *^^' °''''^^°' *^^*'^ ^°^^^^°' °n the Midas, the old man resumed . "He came in town fer a pair of gum boots, an' he says they've run into^fS nch ground-so rich that they have to clean up e^!^ 96 SLUICE KOBBEKS cTX'^d"^'^ °^^'* ^'^^^ ^°- °« '— the riffles "Think of itr Glenister growled " Tf ^« i, ^ a^pan o|_o„e o£ those Oean VwelouH^ield ^^e^n" pressed but erowinrZ n '"'"•*"«> ""th a sup- cautiously: ^ ' ^^"'"^ '<"'='•«' h^ voice "They'd nev^^ruTge°'^„'"t'S T '"%.*'«>''ght. ^u.d„. find a better exSe^o^;:::ttlwt^„d ": on ttidl^l^^r fi°2th''''""- J'"^ "«*- <^- hangnails. I'm g^o^^' old ' ^l '" '?''* *>'""' "^ another strike T^to h.- ■ T" ' ''^""' "^^e that's abouIiVa'L^S-r^,,^-'-^ -p. 97 A- I* t TBB SPOILERS satisfaction of one kind or another. It 'II be a fight in the open, under the stars, with the clean, wet moss to he down on, and not a scrappin'-match of freak phrases and law-books inside of a stinkin' court-room The cards IS shuffled and in the box, pardner, and the game IS started. If we're due to win, we'll win. If we're due to lose we'll lose. These things is all figgered out a thousand years back. Come on. boy. Are you game? ' ^ "Am I game?" Glenister's nostrils dilated and his voice rose a tone. "Am I game? I'm with you till the big cash-m. and Lord have mercy on any man that blocks our game ^to-night. " "We'll need another hand to help us," said Dextry. Who can we get ?" At that moment, as though in answer, the door opened with the scant ceremony that friends of the frontier are wont to observe, admitting the attenuated, flapping dome-crowned figure of Slapjack Simms. and Dextry fell upon him with the hunger of a wolf. It was midnight and over the dark walls of the vallev peered a multitude of stars, while away on the southern horizon there glowed a subdued effulgence as though from hidden fires beneath the Gold God's caldron or as though the phosphorescence of Bering had spread up- ward into the skies. Although each night grew longer It was not yet necessary to light the men at work in the cuts. There were perhaps two hours in which it was difficult to see at a distance, but the dawn came early, hence no provision had been made for torches Five minutes before the hour the night-shift boss lowered the gates in the dam, and. as the rush from the 98 fl SLUICE KOBBfiKS road wound alone the «-av«.l nf *i,^ k **PP^7^- -ihe proximity to the flumef Hoi ^T ^"^ ^^^'^ ^^ Without waiting a «ptX^ ^^clLtupt::^^' '""^■ IV^thout wa^ing^h^ellattaL^^^^^^ ^^^ the ferocty of an ani„,al and struck the ot2ra1«SS 99 ill THB SPOILBIS Iffi^, ' "^^r* ?• "P"'*"' ««» '""' hand and ^7 t^. "fh *2* '"*° *"' "«"'*• At the same momm two other figure, rounded the bend below a^X Si'f Tl-'y :«« n-ounted and leadtag a th?rf raddle-horse, as well as other pack-animals. ReaS the workings, they dismounted. Then began a MraZ procedure for one man dambered upon tKutS '^ai a p,ck. npped out the riffles. This was a^tte; {1^^\^ *'" '^'^'' *»• »^«"8 a shovel, he^anl ferred the concentrates which lay in the bottom of the boxes into canvas sacks which hii, companion hdd aI each bag was filled, it was tied and dum^ fal th' «.t. They treated but four boxes in thi"C eavJn^ SLwI'^""*""'^ "' ^"^ «'"»« nntouchKi;';§ Creek gold is coarse and the heart of the cl^un TJL ttey la^ed then, upon the pack-animals, then moun^^ ^anTe^a^^e fi"'^' /T^ ■"omentl^i^'^ »^ towards the creS T^ ^ ??' ^J^ perfunctorily ine creek. The watchman detached himsetf xoo lliii SLUICE KOBBfiKS rZ'I^'^'^u <**«^Pt»» °f Anvil Creek'8 riche, had fired Helen Chester with the desire to witness a dean up » they had ridden out from town in tiSeTor ,up«r at the claim. She had not known whither he 1^ h^ only understanding that provision for her entertatom^t would be made with the superintendent's wSuZ recogn,«„g the Midas, she had endeavored to qu«S hThal f ^^" '^""'^ ^^ *«*" dispossessLTa^S he had answered, as it seemed, straight Ind true. cJmLT /"M" I'^P*"*' ^ »»id-another man claimed ,t-and while the litigation pended he wm H charge for the court, to see that neither party relTyi^ 2<«y- He spoke adroitly, and it satisfi^ wTl^^ the proposition resolved into such simplicity She had come prepared to spend the night and wit- toe most of hjs opportunity. He showed her over the t^ W^« ?'T"« *''* "^5^ ^"g' tha' ''ere strange to her. Not only was he in himself a fascinating S to any woman, but wherever he went men regS hjm deferentiaUy. and nothing affects a wo,^?^ ^d^» tv evening with her. talking of hS^earl? JI™ ^il ^^ ^* "^ "*<"' " *« West, his sto^ tnatdung the picturesqueness of her canvas-walled C2 "r"- *'«\™«'' f'-'-hings of Iwnr sLI raconteur, he had woven a spell of words about the loi 3 J i{ I I ii TBB SPOILBIS «tfl, leaving her in a itst. «» . . when at l^l.towariJ ^^jX r"'**"^ ind^tisha ♦ont. She knew to whTZi ./.J! "*"«' «<> W« oto y« knew not what herlLw^ l^J.^T""''*- '^ t«m came which lay behfedTJ^ 4^ ""^ "" «J«««- the wonderful attrition of th^!;. * "f^f the felt wme distrust of him whfih T"" '°"' »*'« there was Again her thought, "v^"*"' "^^ »°* '""^ o". and she compa,^^ ^^"*?'' *'» '«>?««- that ,h"t];^w r.1.S:::l:tr, "g,"* -hift a* their n^ •nto the cool ni^ht. aTd tckidl^!?* "*']'"<'' ""PI^ the roar of the c^k P«ked her way down towid, to bed." she thouri^ gh. . "f."* °' "' "><» S watchman and m^deforhfa. H*"" *"' ^^^ »' tS «ted in her approach wat^kin^l,"*"*^ <^'"y »ter! "ost as thou^^ta^J"*"^ *•' ^fJ; closely, al- there were so few wom^'out w ^"^^^ because «>un of the lateness o" the^2' V PT^Wy on ac tionsi This was the Ia!,^„«-^' •*''»y with conven- ^id talk to C n/"! '"?«"" "^-d Impulse. X f bout his face ^d n^ttd :^i?\>^ ""* '»°'» oIo«^ »terhadbeeninhem^h^fJ^'^"'P- Glen- now noted that here 31i!f if °°??°* '^<»' ""1 she square shottlden ^^!fjff"'f '"* *■>« "me great a start that thtC J^ L'"*" "^^ ^ saw*^th phester and seemeS tTtltcI^- "%'=*^«' » W«- mdecision. "**<'" 1"' carefuUy, yet with ■ «s^him" s:;"r r *° 'r «•» «•'««. she I03 !;!ii m n d SLUICfi KOBBBRS " Yau-m. I-m the wetchmaii." y^w"^^"'*^ "^"n " '«»k below Mid WM v«««ely surpriMd, not ao much at their preMmce a> m Sfn! fi f* ^^^ °P®"^ ^«' n»o«th to speak whTn from the rank grass under her feet came a S wWch whichmen werehS bXv.» *• ''•'i»« "id» into time ^^""^ °'°*°«^. ^o»- the third "^JHiat is that?" she said. ^ the double CiSc o?S ^l^'!' «-e ti™ she ««ni, * **^® **^y chances. Miss " Oh. you are stealing the gold-" 103 jifc m THB SfOILfilS Then he tpoke: ^^ "* *'°'^ '"*" lo«d«d. t-'yoS^p..!^' "'«' *<> «»o with you. but I g«« r« "Wh«tl"ihe,i^. "Oh stand ^. don't you ^r .hTJ^j:*^.^ * * right hj till y^ve iSSe^r ^^^y* •cream. which he dipped hTh^ ^ tw ?^ •PP~lingIy. ,t th».^a"yJSsvSe''b^'r ,^;i' ^ •^"^ *- e«d till th, ^heiT '«*^^? ^f i "i!P/°- "*- bank, ran to the C8v.l^« ''•P^ <*»*» the the three U.^ d tSfrt^ ST.IL't^^* •""* mg tip the trail around thT.!,^ * ^' ^""PP*"'- the blow, of their qZ. „ S!?^^. ^ "»«<» hones. ^ " "^ whipped the pack- mi^e'^LZ^Jlt*J^?~ *• <^'' »»'«> - had paused at thTtoid fc ,'* '^' »' *"» thrae for « they gaUopU^VSLTl^^ ""* ««»''• broken sentence, ft was ZtT, ^ }*" '<=™P "f « ing through the rat^ rfh"f ^^ '~^- '<»"<»- "Helen": and 3^ UaU of k^'l^^ "'" ""^ alarm, but rather he^T! • " ''"' ""t voice the the «;ange ^ta^i ^S, '^^ru^^'l'T' ''S"^ "''' outlines of her captor wfthl,^;!,, ^'^ '*^'*^ the Her fright dis8ppe«^^?„w ^^'* "' P«pl«dty. «citeJLt. " iK^t ^^; «^ Plac, to intenie « it */•• she ori^ ^l^ '*r*?'* y«* I wonder "SO- Oh. I wonder if it could bet" 104 "" ' ' II: l> I II SLUICfi tOBBBRS and rumpled hair. ' ^^'^ ^^'^^^^ ^V^* A hnM '"* ,~i^"^ " •^'^ "^^^ breathlessly. " Quick! Ahold-upl The watchman is hurti" ^^ pa^ S.^ t^J,'!?^'.?^"^^^!*^^^^ *"^ *^« ««« poured out past her, whUe the day shift came tumblineforth fmm Where? Who did it? Where did they go?" McNamara appeared among them, fierci «,d ««, tnandmg. seeming to grasp the situktion in^fti^' without explanation from her intuitively. hoi;S:"'(^SckT ^^•""-•-^^own. Get out the hi^' "^SJen ^r*^ ' k"" ^ *^" '^^' ^^ «*!»«" joined W ;. ! ^r^'"*^' ^® ^^^«*^ his long arm up the va^ tey towards the mountains. "Divide into ^ds j five and cover the hillsl Run down to Dtecover^ on^of you, and telephone to town for Voorhe^ «?i As they made ready to ride away, the girl oried- los TIB sroiiBis into tb* gloom. ^^' ^ *** <»»•><»<«• rede twmy CHAPTER X W» »«T or AM AOVtHTUMM Uto^'X^JSLlST- iW. put other cmp, »» the right Md uJj^Th^r;"*^- «•« tb.nSk the low Muldle. They had «fH„JS'*"'*'y ""^ over might pan unnoticed S.»?^ • '" °"'«' ♦'"•t they J-.JW their wI^^ho^'^„»* ^"^ """y *^ pool, icottred the gJeiTSint L "^"J^ ' '•"P"'"* »«* they could. STeS^" *^«i:; '"""« - "rfpunuit, but. as the m^^ *tnmed for wmnd. th. ten«on t^ .oSeXlS^ ""* ■"»• «»».' ««y- A. the momi„7Kght^ti^5?"^«~<» «»•««: """■eapped .uaunit of T «T^*'*>' ""^ the ">d, removing two «ddl« hid^f ' ^* P""*^ '««''>. Stapjacle left «,e otbm £1, .l*"^ "^"8 ""e rock, the Dry Creek Trail fL.!? ^^ "^* «««thward dorra .hifti7pa;r"S^,^^^ "«•• th. partn^ »»>" to the reaaininTidd^n- overloaded pack- fWward along the b^c^r^fjf-^ ""'' "»»'»"«' "8 the five hwses ""'' °' "^ on foot, lead- £^J^*::^„^ tt'S Si''??;;-" «^." -d -"^tofol.rthe'Strieg.r-^S^^ i I; THE SPOILERS paint on my face makes me smell like a minstrel man H f ^® 'l^®* ^^^ ^""y P"»« notices to-morrow." I w der what Helen was doing there," Glenister answert . irrelevantly, for he had been more shaken bv ."s encounter with her than at his part in the rest of the enterprise, and his mind, which should have been busied with the flight, held nothing but pictures of her as she stood m the r.alf darkness under the fear of his ruffian was!" He quailed at the thought. ''Say, Dex, I am going to marry that girl." "I dunno if you be or not," said Dextrv "RAf*-^ watch McNamai»a." « ^^extry. Better "What!" The younger man stopped and stared. wp-«t do you mean ?" "Go on. Don't stop the horses. I ain't blind I km put two an' two together." •'You'll never put those two together. Nonsense! Why, the man s a rascal. I wouldn't let him have her. Besides, it couldn't be. She'll find him out. I love her so much that-oh. my feelings are too big to talk aDout. He moved his hands eloquently. " You can't understand." ^ loucant "Um-m! I s'pose not," grunted Dextry, but his eyes were level and held the light of the past i3® TZ}^ ^ ''^''^^'" *^® °^^ ™a° continued, after a little ; T U put m with you on that ; but he's a hand- some devil, and, as for manners, he makes you look like a logger. He's a brave man, too. Them three quali- ties are trump-cards and warranted to take most any queen m the human deck-red, white, or yellow." If he dares," growled Glenister. while his thick brows came forward and ugly lines hardened in his face xo8 E IHB WII OF AM 4»VB»TU«ESS filed out across thr^lH^t ^ "" "'""« R'^er and rocker. This thev set «« ♦».? ^ willows, was a din fro™ the'«^.^'c:?;fS;.'';r:^^!r'^*^^ speed, for there was seriou, JL T? '^* "'"<»' was wonderful, this tr^^^Tof Jhflh' f '"^"y- I' the days of '4,. and the m?n workX?^ ^""""* '"~ and hands a-tremble. The »Xw« ^ '""""S '^^ "gged. yellow lumps, t" C ^.^T,; *'"' """^ «?een. rolled in the hopper wWte if-' **""!" *e with its weight. In the!;,., t^ *P™"* "^U'ed vided there grew a ellS^n^T "•"/" ^^'^ •>«<» P'o- Shortly. b^ div:4enrrof t« P :' "1' '="' 8°« noticed into town Md inf„^w . Pa«"ers rode un- «P news. whileX terfv stiinL**"*? ■»»* °f «>* hold- fasts. Far out in tSad L^^l^^htT *t '"^- smoke pouring from her stalk A ^^'^•"'"- "lack from Its last trip to her ^ "" returning a=^ quitnSThet ih"^ ""'^ ^°^ *» fe beach "No., if s S.Tate to'fe^Xr*:.''^ ■"»"*• on Its way back," they Sfo™^1^~*', *"* *«»der is to go to the 'ouWe- vou-n^ ?""• " y^" "ant That only meanr^otterwe^k ani ^t '°' *' «««*• now." "Jomer week, and— there she blows st^i^f^J^^%t^«'^w'* the velvet from the well blast. '''"^'=^« a slow, throbbing, fare- want the hghtest -^'on^-bet ^^-^-X THE SPOILBIS OMsmen in the crowd. I'U be back in five minutes Ws a hundred doUars in it for you if we ca^^St !^S;«^^ u^^^I" ""^ '°°"°« luxuriously when wrenched from his bed by a dishevelled man who shoS ^ mto wakefulness and into a portion of his clothes, ^th a Storm of excited instructions. The lawyer had neither time nor opportunity for expostulation, for Glenister snatched a valise and swept into it a litt^ of documents from the table. "Huny up, n?an," he yelled, as the lawyer dived fZf .V^ u* ^'' °.^"^ ^^ * rabbit-like hunt for Items My Heaven^ Are you dead? Wake upl The ship s leaving." With sleep still in his eyes Whea- ton was dragged down the street to the beach, where a knot had assembled to witness the race. As they tiunbled into the skiff, willing hands ran it out into the surf on the crest of a roller. A few lifting heaves and they were over the bar with the men at the oars bend- mg the white ash at every swing. "I guess I didn't forget anything," gasped Wheaton as he put on his coat. "I got ready yesterday, but I couldn t find you last night, so I thought the deal was Glenister stripped off his coat and, facing the bow push^ upon the oars at every stroke, thus adding his strength to that of the oarsmen. They crept rapidly out from the beach, eating up the two mile^ tha? lay towards the ship. He urged the men with aU his power till the sweat soaked through their clothes and, under their clinging shirts, the muscles stood out like iron They had covered half the distance when Wheaton xzo THB WIT OF AK ABVBNTUBBSS ottered a crjr and Glenister desisted f.^ I. • •c««e. The /?.»«*, ,33 ttv.'^ft^h.s work with thSr^ S$:f •a^-'J"' ^-^m^' Shouted at into the arToS^' T^ « bo? t-hook. stuck it the men redoubW S e^^'" p ^'^ °" "«'' "«'« they hung in suspense wJtSS,". 1°^^"^ '"°"*°*» gathered speed andthin ^L^ ""* "** huU as it their effortTnXttea "*7,'«* about to cease the next momWa short t^f Z"™" '""histle and them. Gleniste^US ,^e!^ If ^cognition reached grinned at Wheats *"" '"" ■"« hrow and theX w'^^d'es^hi'Sr ^^ '^^ '"«'^"« "-'o' into the lawyer'^hSd * "^"'y ''•'<*''^» «<* "There's money to win the fieht Bill T^ ... how much, hut ifs enough, g^ '.^L IT '^^ cU;tSrle^"?3^''>i['»«'°P\«P which Wheaton sent it aft^ ' '^'"« ** 8"Psack to its end, they on"tL:CS!'""*^U^Lr rned at the officer muffled clangin theTJ^ business." He heart a pen«sfo„or.^Te"Sp^id*^t'"^«"^'- >and1n^'^^<J^f,Sf «P *'^-- «- for him beside her It hi?„*° ''™' *"«* »«<»« --oom call him to her sidTbefore 1,S ^ ^ "^"""^ *° the abashment, or perha~ „w='^'?^^ ^familiar was the young man to si^k CkW ""^'^' *""" '^^ sigh of relief. She not«i^h.? f 1"™ ^"^ »** a audacity was gon^ fC1^s*;!;.'°' ** ^' «"«- *he THB SPOILERS mil i! mn "I watched your race," she began. "It was very exciting and I cheered for you." He smiled quietly. " What made you k6ep on after the ship started ? I should have given up-— and cried." "I never give up anything that I want," he said. "Have you never been forced to? Then it is be- cause you are a man. Women have to sacrifice a great deal." Helen expected him to continue to the effect that he would never give her up— it was in accordance with his earlier presumption— but he was silent; and she was not sure that she liked him as well thus as when he over- whelmed her with the boldness of his suit. For Glen- ister it was delightful, after the perils of the night, to rest in the calm of her presence and to feel dumbly that she was near. She saw him secretly caress a fold of her dress. If only she had not the memory of that one night on the ship. "Still, he is trying to make amends in the best way he can," she thought. "Though, of course, no woman could care for a man who would do such a thing." Yet she thrilled at the thought of how he had thrust his body between her and danger; how, but for his quick, insistent action, she would have failed in escaping from the pest ship, failed in her mission, and met death on the night of her landing. She owed him much. "Did you hear what happened to the good ship Ohio f" she asked. "No; I've been too busy to inquire. I was told the health officers quarantined her when she arrived, that's all." zia THE WIT OP AN ADVENTURESS Shi h^«! K^ "lu* *** ^^^ ^*^*"^ ^'^^ every one aboard -t ^eTaX^rrrerr ^ ^^"^ "^^ ^^ ->^ ;^at a disappointment for the poor devils on herl" ^'ae sill whit!i" '"" " ^^ ^^^ "P y-' P'^«^ T r«?i^ ^°'* "^^ *^^* ^®^*«^e I asked you to-because Iwked you to put aside the old ways?" A wave^ compassion sw^nt over her. but-^*'°^^'" ""* ^«^«'«i- "It didn't come easy, ««^ ?f iLf Yr * ^"^^""^ wouldn't do anything wrong and Mr. McNamara is an honorable man '' ^' could int'iSi ^r^'i' ^r *° 'P^^^' ^"<= refrained. He could not teU her what he felt certain of. She believed L f' T ^ °^ ^^ ^" ^^^ ""^^«'s friends-and i wS as^yoV^id ••''^S^^ r'^J."^' °f^^ y°^ ^^ "o* --ted The^law was such a confusing, intricate, perplexing "I spent last night at the Midas," she told him . and rode back early this morning. That was a d^' rng hold-up. wasn't it ? " *^*'" "What hold-up?" "S^JI'J'^''^'''* yo" ^«a«l the news?" N(». h. answered, steadily. "I just got up" "J Hi 1 ■;H ri !!' THB SFOILfilS "Your claim was robbed Thr** «,-.- w»j:hman a, midnight ^^ cZ^ Z^C.^^" *' H,s simulation of excited «itoni,hmenV wl. perfect noted with approval that he did not l<i* h« in th! S^Na^^ad ^•corte-l^K-'r ^"^^ a^To^:.%7e:^"---^^-«."«rs th;d?j,"^^L''i;^;r^t'b''r '^■"'■^ «.«.dn-t give the aS! I^r^^^h^:^";;^:^;^' He was a roost gallant darky." Prevented. ''What did ydu do when they left?" Namara and hi, men right after the,?do^'4e^i,5^ " D<mn tae gulchi" spoke Glenister. offCtS^" stream?" sr"^- , ^^ ^o" *»'' they^t „^ he^/ped his' Z"^1"n"? T"'' " "^ "-• "^ directio'n. bat I T«Tthe.^°ri,ht'.P°?!/'^^ » «>at ^^hUn her glanc^, ,„, ^e ^the .I'^'.^Z.^^ had'^Lr *o7uS"rr*?C' «°*»*--'"'ythe„ must know eve^S r^° ** ""*'* suspect-she distinctlv " <i»i*» f«M 1,- V , "°«'^*- 1 saw the men 1 could S'enS; 'thl'SJ:-''''"" *^^ "P"**^' "«^ 114 ! THB WIT OF m ABVBHTOtBSS nou"^. '**'*" "«*"««■ «' >«» night." he an- ','^°^<Jo you know?" up. That's whvw«!^. '*°''" *^^ «^^ «8tead of " Well J.1I ^ • f ^?* *^*y ^ easily." anyhow-llefs ^^ih T" rJ^° '1?"'^.''" "^^^°«1 "P. turned back thrblankets e^Zn^ /'^ '^' ^^^^^ sacks, wet and heavy Vh^rh^t'^I /u''' "^"x^^^'^^ "There m»o* u' v ^® ^^d thrown them flung opt rrrL'?""'* ^""^^ «>« "«<» "» Dextry had discarfi^ .^ } . '"-scooter that "iSn-t shit w?" S^ThV:!** *"*'""• ly- , "My. but yo„>; n^tlr "~"''' """*"*"- and;trh^T^4'S, J„' - ««e„r Malotte; her cheeks, the men LwT- h=,? k * ^^"^ ~'°" » did not giie a,^ tw » ''*'.'»«° ranning. She locked thHoor^hik tte w,?r*'°°- •"■* ^'°^ «'«• her: '* *^* """^^ "=«»« tumbling from quid'^TWre a„T- ''°y*-y°"'d better duck out " What!" ™^ "P """^ °°»'" "Who?" IIS y 1'^ ) 'I Ih'l i THfi SFOILfilS the „„d. Say, b«, Tm . Sh"l " '^ >»» «>n>^ nothin '• '^^^ w«nuiwly. "We ain't dm last night. H.« they^'^°ow.' Sh. 'Jtl,"'"*^ wndow. the men pt^rinTo^L. ?"" .*"*><» to th, "P tU narrow wUkZ^'^" ^' *<»«>der. Cominj «nd three othere ^ *^ •»" Voorhee.. UcNanura P'anking had 'an u„oLt™cS' vtrVlif^ '' "^ *"» Escape was impossible f^th.hTTi'' *^' Premises, the anklenleep^ddte .rf^fc. *''' ''°°' '^ »»» ^to »ow apparent th«Ta2c?h ^ C ""i.*'' ""» '» »« w» app^hing („,n^ ^ "'«' "-J* « circuit and 'MyGodI They'U seaiv-h .1 , »nd the men took^g^i'^^^' "*'' ^"tT'. Then in a flash GleSs^-^ v*^'" ^^- and seised the "doWmI. "'^'^ **"' *>» blankets In another i^T^-r^TrZ':7T "^"^ ^ desperately the candid C"e!s oTt? .^ ""* '^~'» they lived and slept in Nothf, "'••'"'• «»m that was tolly to think of ii. ^Twir'^'l ''""^"'•- "' you. I through tped her Dextiy, ^'t dona race 80 :>ecau8e obbery to the ^mtng unara, 1 back >y the mises. t into it was t and xtiy. ikets oom. aced that i; it ead, pur- Vas ool. I ■■" '■ """r;-..~u-.'.v.™v.-""- — . THB WIT OP All ▲BTBIITUIBSS I ractoii w«U iboot it out here. W« ihould hm ciK*«l that gold lomewhere." ^^ H» ipttn the cylinder of hit blackened Colt, while hii »ce grew hard end vulture-like. «»«•«■ Meanwhile, Cherry lfak>tte watched the hunted k>ok d^^l^^u* ""Jl* *^y- The Pa-«» wa. at the fS!I^ 'SL"*^*^- The three inside itood rigid and ■trained. Then Gleniiter towed his burden on the ^Gomto the back room. Cherry; there's going to be "Who;s there?" inquired Dextry through the door. SS^iTw ®**l**«»^y'^thout a word, the girl glided to the hot-blast heater, now cold and empty, which stood in a comer of the room. These stovM, used ^y in the North, a« v rtical iron cylindS; faS wluch co^ IS poured from oove. She lifted the lid tod peered in to find it a quarter fuU of dead ashes ^ turned with sinning eyes and parted Up. to Glen^ irter. He caught the hint, and in an instant the four sacks were dropped softly into the feathery bottom tod^ ashes raked over. The daring mimiu^wwas ^c»st as quick as the flash of woman's wit that ^mpted It, and was carried through while the answer £^^* question was stiU unspoken. ^ Glenister opened the door carelessly and ad- mitted the group of men. /•"«•« $1 u What are you looking for?" Gold-dust from Anvil Cieek. t$ TBB SFOILfilS with indif .J^t «tr rLi^,'^- .T*" *•*«'»«« »h«a he Iwd bw ,oZd bJ^fc. ^r I* ««»•• though • contwnpfiou. ilencS"*^ '*^"' ^ P~<»ved PMioiM Mopped, thro SJ^!^'*!/""' '»• »*» com- Vooriieei Ufted the Ud and o^^J V'S'"- ■** ^ "Don'tl Don'tr X^fl k "**" °•'^■ "»"• "Keep COOL Wn^„^ •?P~' «> the oU mort through." ''"" " •* "ony. Dex-they'w lU- The officer had not .nnn .... PW. but double.? herSSic"^?;r^l!?°° I^-y'. violence. McNanuua TwtT S,^ ""^^ "«" <" bock room at thrt^n^;^*^' «'<"«*««. from the Voorhee.. dufe. «t uncomfortably „pon him at m y b 1 c THB WIT OF AN AiYBNTUIBSS ^bejt, jnd, looldng »t the imouldering eyei of the two ho^jjrfiold who- member, itched to .hoot hiTiTJS '^It^^.i^^l^r:^ the politician only pMtner: * **"** dir»ctly to the «|1W^ hi. guari,. „d tb. group fitad Wk klonj "S«y. you're a jewel, Cherry. You've uved u. troe. You ought Voorhee. jSt in time Uyh^ hit my p.I.te when he looked into thet ttUe but^ 2«t ,in««t I w«,.ed to laugh .t Dexi^*.' Z^ ImpuWvely Gl«nirt«- hid hi. hwd. upon her .houl- den. At hi. look and touch her throat .welled h., S^ 'u!?^. •'y « ^•H' flood of n<reet womanlineMT ?» "^h«» «ke a little maid and laughedTS' b~l»n laugh: then pulling her»U together. thJiJ^,' ^i'ZT' *-*» ""^ v°*" -d her cheek."^ »™i-n*? 7^"°'* *™»* "• •* *"*. eh' Some day you 11 find that your old friend, ate the bert, after ^" And a. dM, left them .he added, mockmgly: i ! CHAPTER XI tamty. this impotent walung'^^h ,1"-, ?" "■"»'- ■naddening to one of his soWt H ^ '""''»• "«» self to no fixed duty fo, ,iS "* <'°""'' apPly him- on bin. fiercely and hi ^^'^.""'"'"ongprey^ vicinity of the'MiSaf gaz """1 i^T" "a-nW^S hungrily for such scrkHf „el °? *'*^- S^Ping ?•"• McNan,ara allo^ L!!? *' '''anced to reach ■ons so the partners WbTv° "?" *"" ">« "in- Pened on their property eTenrh?^"'' "' ""*« hap- law it was being work^ for^i,."''^''' '""^«'- "^ion of No steps reeard^o ; I ***"■ Protection. allowed. LdXtriaj;::!'/' *-* «— the receiver had becom, .„ i"^^" Stiilman and there were uneasy mutterinfr'^i'^^^S-i^d that quarte... Yet, afthough "he o2- -^T '" ""ny vrtually absorbed all the ricL'ii "'"■''*' "^ "ow tnct and worked them thro^.rl- P^P^^ies in the dis- of Nome as a whole Sdnotf " 'l"*"''Ss. the people «.. scheme nor t^' s;^t::{'^J^^^^^^^'of WHBRBIK A WHIT A«B A r,ot PAIL antearpa^LSTuT^ trel"„TT ""^ ''^--' Do«i>ion -»^ ^ ^® loreign to his pepoerv di<5 shortly resolvini itse«Tn.n t ? ""°'" »?P«a'-ed, theoffi'„g, and tU*:;" W e^:^tir„. .''* '"^"' "•- drownd mToXnaWe." "^ ^e'laTdl™ 1°°^'' '" his impatience. "" ''^"ds upon yef It'LtedX' "f^ '°"''" *° *"« "-'Cher, and whatever was't:.!:;^ ^^ puTfci^li':. tV grante/:lfat"the« tl^M .feTh'e s'<::^ " fT.^ *'"'^" '"' No one supposed for ^n tas Lf f w ?^ *''* "'""^Sle. part with ?h'e treasJrpe^Sf *' "" •""^' """"^ tow°n ^^rai^^ a-Sat* t: t:!^^ tT .1 *"'' her, wH^eupon the id,e poputt^ sSe^d "^Jl^ lat TBB SPOILEIS JShe-n n„ke it to the .„rf all right, but th» ,.tch as the skiff came Jhin?Kl„h "^'' ™" «"»«8''. was caught. * ttirough the breakers she Wheaton crouched in the «.„ J^f '"''' "8"" °^ »«' with their oare A» tl, T^'**™'»"°"fo'«'>t though the ^iTzoneo&r^'^f '"u""**^ '^^ of the sea behind th^~?* t??** """'«' «»« <>"« The crowd aTtt su^s Srg™a''°;h '"T "''"''• ered. sucked back ,nf„!S, "°"*~- The boat wav- with\ crS, 41 dZe .'n^X'r^'^ "'"'• »<> mained nothing but a s^VI.W « ^ .f*""- '^^^ "' life-boat emerled bottom up' l^d'^tT^'.^n^" '"^ gratings, and gear '^' * '^''^le of oars, pou""ed'??^^bi"cl°u^S t^r- kTI *"' "-' ">"- came the soi^d :' Stag' ^^^''a'Tj'.r'- ^^^ swarmed in waist-deen »r,H 1 " ^ "■*" « 8™"? from his mane and grtl?tC'J"'K ''"^'l*'" ""t" A step farther dow"treb^l"tt\^"V'' 5*^ "™«- a limp form which the Me^lt to ^^e^*"^!" "^^ second sailor hi-i >i^»io »„iw . *"• ^* ^as the wale. Now";^';:r{^ jj;::«"» " "- °' *« ^- Hn?aW Ws'tPa'dTe'td^ j^' 'Tl""*' " "--8- Bad reached thrwred; onlv I "^"^ ^"'*«' «'~« ^ -ten. He Had-retVutTgiri^tr T33 ..ii WHBMIN A WRIT AHD A R,OT FAIL he was hurled high up on rtt h v^"' '"'" '''"' ""d gered dizzily back to^he st^^l* *f "• "« 'tag- wave Ufted the aosized I« ^^f ' ."''*" suddenly a from beneath shom^t™ oTm" T^"*^ '*• '"'d out •ng the life-ropes. The-^^,.^u^- «^"'^y <^'»teh. breathless. "'^ ''""S''t him in choking and "It's a°l'rigCt,''GlSer'"'f kl'" ^^^''^ •>-««■ «> I took a long chance „,;i,il "''*' "^^'V "eant orfeal he had undergone had K. ' l"^" "^^ *«^fic hU legs wabbled uSainlv Ift'^ '"'" *° "« "?'• but for the young man wh^ 'tf \* """'d have faUw waist and Jhinf u*"pTn'tol°etr " "" '"'°"' ''» ^J'-^^^r^erdtS t •-???--- "^ That takes the « Sn rt"„?K°'''.J'"^S* Stillman. and directs McNamara to t^™ ^ '.I**"*' altogether, the gold he's got What H„ T ** ^'^<^ and aU better than I expect^ ■• " ^°" *'""'' °^ *"" I did and his peaceful yieSn^ t ^'? .^" T"*'''^ "»« "^er had proven the belter^ul T ^^^. ''°™ '"^*: prophesied. He couM T^^^. ' *"' ^ *« P'l had The mine was hls^gil/ He ' °"?J,'""' ='*»° ^ands. te'Kng her once mo^^histvr^d I? '1"' "'' '^*' -^?^ntr.th^L^f3-— ^^^^^^ S^ven hun. his -ove fX wt^^S^n." ^^H- III m m m THE SPOILERS absorbing. He would bid her be patient tiU she saw he had mastered himself, tiU he could come with his soul in harness. "I am glad I didn't fight when they jumped us " he said. "Now we'll get our property back and all the money they took out— that is, if McNamara hasn't salted it." "Yes; all that's necessary is to file the documents then serve the Judge and McNamara. You'll be back on Anvil Creek to-morrow." Having placed their documents on record at the cwirt-house, the two men continued to McNamara's oflSce. He met them with courtesy. "I heard you had a narrow escape this momine. Mr Wheaton. Too bad I What can I do for you?" The lawyer rapidly outlined his position and stated in conclusion: " I filed certified copies of these orders with the clerk of tne court ten minutes ago, and now I make formal demand upon you to turn over the Midas to Messrs Glenister and Dextry, and also to return all the gold- dust in your safe-deposit boxes in accordance with this writ. He handed his documents to McNamara. who tossed them on his desk without examination. "Well," said the politician, quietly, "I won't do it " Had he been slapped in the face the attorney would not have been more astonished. "Why— you— " .. n ^ r*u* ^°.'*' ^ '^^^'" McNamara repeated, sharply. Don t think for a minute that I haven't gone into this fight armed for everything. Writs of supersedeas! oah ! He snapped his fingers. •' We'll see whether you'll obey or not," said Wheaton ; 124 ^HBMIK A WWI A»» A WOT PAIl J^ When he .^ a..ni,ter were ontside he contin. McN^-^i "er „r it't" t:Se„r:i ^-^ »^'- somltht^V"" *"•" -'<^ G'^-i'ter. "He'. „p u. with him. Both Z ;'^e iJ,':'Si?""''«=Na^»" m StiUman's appearancr n^*°"°?.*^ *' *« "change weak face had shrunk and I^Jl^ *•! '"* "<»'«' Ws betrayed in everyone and IT^^"' ^'«i«ation was of furtively watcWnrMcNLara-f,.^"?."''^ ** '""''' It seemed that the dm* hf i *ghtest movement, him. ""* P"» be played sat heavily upon alt^Utra?:™",tJi*«P-^^^^^ ""f J of it. At last he said • "*"" ""«'* "«»^ of the^TocJmenLT ^°'«<J '» do«bt the authenticity ceJi.^^^^^*""' "*■»'" Wheaton cried "T^ . certmed copies of orders f^r^m , They're They grant the aooea^ t^i ^.°'"' ^"P*""' court take the case out oTyl'hfnn^'l"*^"'^ "» ""d ttey oMer this man to su^^j^ ^^f ''''• '^^^-'"'d thmg connected with it Not • """* *"<* ^^O'- enforce these orders " ' '"■' ""^ want you to ^Stmman glanced at the silent man in the window and "VouwilUf course.p™ceed regularly and make ap- o THE SPOILBIS plication in court in the proper way, but I tell you a«w that I won't do anything in the matter." Wheaton stared at him fixedly until the old maa snapped out: " You say they are certified copies. How do I know they are.> The signatures may all be false. Maybe you signed them yourself." The lawyer grew very white at this and stammered until Glenister drew him out of the room. "Come, come," he said, "we'll carry this thing through in open court. Maybe his nerve will go back on him then. McNamara has him hypnotized, but he won't dare refuse to obey the orders of the Circuit Court of Appeals." " He won't, eh ? » Well, what do you think he's doing nght now?" said Wheaton. "I must think. This is the boldest game I ever played /.:. They told me things while I was m 'Frisco which I couldn't believe, but I guess they're true. Judges don't disobey the orders of their courts of appeal unless there is power back of them " They proceeded to the attorney's office, but had not been there long before Slapjack Simms burst in upon them. *^ "Hell to pay!" he panted. "McNamara's taking your dust out of the bank." I'What's that?" they cried. " I goes into the bank just now for an assay on some quartz samples. The assayer is busy, and I walk back into his room, and while I'm there in trots McNamara in a hurry. He don't see me, as I'm inside the private office, and I overhear him tell them to get his dust out of the vault quick." "We've got to stop that," said Glenister. "If he 136 WHBMIH A WRIT ahd * „oj p^,^ What -U b4om. of lr'^"e'^' '^T' '"'^' '^^ did his work vnTexn^f^- '°<»«-i°™ted Slapjack fact that the S^Jl;^'*^^"'" '""enced by the two entered the bmk^ ol T!? l""" ''«''» « the something unusuri and ^^^ ""^ '°"°'"»»' ««»« filledrapidly Zth.^/ V 'P*" *'*''™ the doo« their w^k 'ihell^'n'^J'Thf 1"^' '^^'^^ clanged to, and theTash^ l^d S! »fesleposit vault Is McNamara in there ? " "«=«""?• sir •''' H.^,^J l^^' ^"°^" Morehouse to lie "Yes Mr. He spoke hesitatingly, iu a voice full ^f\u i ' ""Weljit:?* ':«''^^°''- ^at'ol t"?"^"' we Z^Zll "fX' Te "C r ''"' °' °- »«' hide in there Uke a dog " ^ "°"' '~* ^^-J =« r:*L^^^^*^-«°^«>-ow?:^w^'i:n^:•"Ce to t|s"lT:?'th"e'go^l::y"^ -- - ^--'^-d Then he's taken it already." if ,■ I IHi THE SPOILBIS "No. he hasn't." The receiver's course had been quickly chosen «t the interruption. It was not wise t3 angw thwHi^ toomuch. Although he had planned toTtthe^o^e^ into h,s own possession, he now thought it bSt to leave it here for the present. He could^come uJk I? any time when they were off guard and get it Beyond It ^"^l ;^fr* ^^^"^ ^' '"^ l*y three huSr^ thou«ind dolla«-weighed. sacked, sialed. a.d ^a^ to move out of the custody of this Virginian ^ confidence he had tried so fruitlessly to ^n As McNamara looked into the angry eves of th* lean-faced men beyond the grating. ^fdHh: Z thought. He had not planned on a resistance «! strong and swift l^ut he would meet it. ^knew th^ was their leader. He saw further that the man's ha- knew that back of it was something more than love for you saw me with a lady ? " ^ ' ~^lr''* uT' 'S?""* ''* "^'^ a "Joo"- behind him Z^Z' "*'«" Chester. " You'd better not walk out m^ me, Mm Chester. This man might-weU. you're «fer here you know. Vou'U pardon me for e^ing you. He hoped he could incite the young man to some rash act or word in the presence of the^I and counted on the conspicuous heroism of his o™ Ci t.on. facmg the mob single-handed, one agS^X^ 128 ^' WHBMIH A WWT A»D a „ot PAIt »i»'^,°."^"t!:'^4?t':?T^i *T"^- «p»" whom young lS"y~.'„;rryWoi.„""/ •""■'* "»' »"» right to leave S~ unnTe.^ '^T": ^* ' ""v the c«n dtiKn." With thLt h!^~ 5\"«''* °' •" Amen- •»«d. "Out Tm^ w.yl"T .'r"°'u''~"« ■"» opened the »te anH iii„v ''™'' Morehouie mob. * ' ""* M=Nam.ra .trode dirough tto - foe. yet':;:''oS7:rorwo*';:x' :' "''"?■ arm. are raised on high and in J,K~ ■ ' ■"'" ^^"^ light of fearlessneM Mo^ve?^-*'''T"*'""«^«> c^wd thu, than a ,ingIeX"a,;' " "*" '» "» « |;e^~ r~ ^ttofaV^^ -/^^^^^^^^ -•»!; ♦'^ t%?r^ntt t« ^r£r ' ---^' feU away before hir^i^ i X^' ^,,^ fo,«aw. the men him. gm, in hand. It to, nL^„ tw ^V'*"" '"'*''*<' •niner wa, beside himseTjith „. '* "" '^'''^ted came within an armCf^L w ^^"^- ^'-^Namaia topped and theZ, s^ J2 ^ Pf,"''"?- Th™ he white the girl behin^thtSC'^aMtr'i '":" °*''"' "g m the stillness. Glenfatef ,.^t^ ..• 'l**'* ^^'"^• tainly, then let it fa 1 S^lw^v^ '"' ^"^ ""cer- «ide K, that the other ^h!S "'' ^^^- »"^ »t«PPed street. '^ '^''«' ?»»» "d out into the Wheaton addressed the banker: Mr. Morehouse, we've got orders and writs of one I' 1 1! '•ill II !l TBfi SPOILBIS Wnd Of taother from the Circuit Court of Appeab tt He shoved the papers towards the other. " Wa'«i nAf « .^»ood to tria. Th.. gold beioni'to «.?„"■;:; I c«n t help you." be laid. " Thew docunienti ... »« 'T*i*? »•• They™ i„«d to Mr K,;^! •nd Judge Stillnun. If the Circuit Court of aSSSS wiie I II have to keep thu dust heie till ifi drawn out by order of the court that gave it to me tS?! Z, way ;t wa. put in bere.and that', the way iflTte tll^ "We want it now." •' Th!!l' Lfm ♦ l!* "^y »y«P«thies influence me." .i.k nn* r """"^ °^ '* everywhere else and we're sick of It. Come on, men." ••Dln't"L^*'!^'":*" °^ y°"'" «^«J Morehouse. ^Don t lay a hand on that gate. Boys, pick y^r He calM this last to his clerks, at the same instant S^tf*; T^? ««aye>- brought into view a shot-gun while the cashier and clerks armed themselves. It wm' evident that the deposits of the Alaska Bank w^" abundantly safeguarded. "I don't aim to have any trouble with you-all " con- Gi«i:tr.^edTtw *"' '''^ °' '•"^»°«- "« 130 iiiii WHBMIH A W«IT ARb * „ot ,4,1 would not Mkri " "^^ " '" "''»«'« "»* he haired banlww,^. h- 1^'^ ?"••*= *•» »">*«•■ with Kt jaw, MiTf,^!^ ''^'^y' "•"•b'owMd ien. ScndfaavTi^ fath^bZ '•«•• •»'l/«"ow-h.i«d by repeated La~ ^ „ "^ '* "'•''' *»"'. Koaded heard . command yiL,h.T' "•. ^"""'""y Helen of m«i. wSroverTehli.T,'"''^''' '"'''' *"»P glint of rifle ba^b ! fi?^of m" "^^ j""' "" »•» the entrance. ™»gniy tHrough the crowd at -it^-r '^^ ^h«"rt^a,r"£- ^^ atth. cost of n,«ch conMS^raUon " "^ ~°" «">' WhItS;ih'i!L''^l"*' " '^*'' °"' °»° «"<«ere." Mid "r " ' '^'J" "*•* outside. Ay, said Glenister, darkly. "W.'vo ♦«••.< *fc 1 X'To'^ S^Te^f.'' to%„t!^-r 'K.' II CHAPTER XII CODNTBRPLOTI «t Appe,!,. burkS^i"'^."*'?" .»"•«,««(» Court 'or Olden directine ih. 1-2, *' *PP''«««'on wu nude which would^v?~f^°'*^"'?'""'.wriu-SeM h«J returned from the moun^.„. l"^' ^"fy- »ho *'^a';:^«»f,«>therdt"s.ir„T°*- '^ wh.l\;:X',i£'^^~^' fi.'.t bette/when I know that outfit." *'•«*»«». J ffl going to spy on out .nything we don't knc I/ready ■■' "•" * '^* Nama™ bad hi. offi4 HeZS V!° ''''•«^» "<=- on the top floor.«,d^th the htf„'?^ ' *>^^ ««« through the celling tato the feft!5",P"'""-"«» thence to the roof fhroueh /hf/ i. '"' '°"°'' ••" »•/ «- -« but mt,e s^p::^^!;^j:--^^; COONTBIPLOTS w«» oiubted, without d^v!^ . • rj'''- '^'"» •» tiouily in through Xfowiin. i '*■ "• "^ "»' joiff «,|«j3h,*'^;j!°'"f- •»<» ow upon . floor of locating McNami™ wSL L ^•" '" * «•"<"•■ •"<«. lying (Ut on tCta^h.^^' ""■? P^P-ho'* "O th.t by able portiOT of tbT,^™ k!""'? «"»»•'«> • coiuid.^ i«n, eraeiging in th« .tni^r . *•» patience of an Ind- to tend Whwo^ ororTir- •"! '* ''•'* **" "^^ed ci«» on the mura trinT.K™^"''' "T " *° ^^ P™"- contempt of%m.rt «rt > *° T""** I»«»edingi for "..the lawyer ,«4g1Z^. "^ "" »»d««-PUc to bepu^^alS'tte^v: 'r "'/°" ^ •'•y- Wheaton." he VW-U bTw^ . 5^°" " «'*'« ««* *o the State. ^ u be arrested tomorrow morning before biwS^ ,''*""t«ll What for?" I don't just lemember what th. ,.«•-.. • v • or mayhem, or attainder of1r,l.L "-^'S'^y. anyway, thev'U pet »™,? .°V f°°' °"" soniething— < tL'Kr tKr.^:^tx,'" "»^ A- to cause trouble and the oliyZ't^'^.^t^^'' ^33 THE SPOILBKS U thlt'f"" .^1''".'''°' They'll watch every lighter "Yes— but how?" "I tell you they'U search the Santa Maria fmn, stem to ste™." protested the lawyer, but D^x^td "Better do as he says. His schemes are good on*., " ti^l^JT" "o"' *■" °^ prospector had begun at were m„m„g „„i,i,y. and at last he found 7he^ he wanted playing " Black Ian], " +1,^ « t ^^ '*® oJJ^^''' *^®'^'' °"^y ^''^ *^^"SS about you that's anv good-your silence and your seamanshio (>fS! ^^ you're a disreppitable.dLlJrs^t'^* ^''""^'''' The sailor grinned. It It s a fight, lemme get my hat." *"nnan. I want you to wake up your fireman o„^ x. the bndge. You're chartered for twenty-f,^^ and— remember, not a word." ^^' '34 COUNTERPLOTS "I'm onl Compared to me the Spinks of Egyp' is as talkative as a phonograph." The old man next turned his steps to the Northern Theatre. The performance was still in progress, and he located the man he was hunting without difficulty. Ascending the stairs, he knocked at the door of one of the boxes and called for Captain Stephens. "I'm glad I found you, Cap," said he. "It saved me a tnp out to your ship in the dark." "What's the matter?" Dextry drew him to an isolated comer. "Me an' my partner want to send a man to the States with you." "All right." "Well— er—here's the point," hesitated the miner, who rebelled at asking favors. " He's our law sharp, an' the McNamara outfit is tryin' to put the steel on him " " I don't understand." "Why, they've swore out a warrant an* aim to guard the shore to-morrow. We want you to " "Mr. Dextry, I'm not looking for trouble. I get enough in my own business." "But, see here," argued the other, "we've got to send him out so he can make a pow-wow to the big legal smoke in 'Frisco. We've been cold-decked with a bum judge. They've got us into a comer an' over the ropes." "I'm sorry I can't help you, Dextry, but I got mixed ^P./° o^e o^ your scrapes and that's plenty." "'This ain't no stowaway. There's no danger to you began Dextry, but the officer interrupted him: There's no need of arguing. I won't do it." "Oh, you won't, eh?" said the old man, beginninf US s r, IHi f!»i THB SPOILEIS ntl'^EvV^^' "^^;y°«li»t«» torn. for. m«. tite. Everybody m camp knows that me an' the Idd to us. Now. this lawyer party must jret awavtn n?^ or these grafters will hitchTe ho^' to ^^t^e phony charge so he can't get to the upper wurt ^n be him to the bini^age for ninety dayl^ R^'iJiK^ the States though. 7n' he's goK-y^^l^^oS I m ta km' to you-man to man. If you ^^ LTe ^;i^^n??'u'out' '"'*' .inspecto^h^e's a fSen^To mme— an 1 u put a cnmp in you an' vour st»tmhn.« I don't want to do that-tt 4't my^i^l^*^^^ no means-but this bet goes through as sS ^ ? never belched up a secret before. Nolir- I^ th. human huntin'-case watd.. an' 1 won^ ^« m?fa« unl^ you press me. But if I should. yo\S ^ aTt ^J^,\ ^,* °''*""»«J his directions to the sailor who dotff^hrLr* *^' ''"-^- ^»^"^ "I never had a man talk to me Uke that before ri, -«e.-er. You've taken advantage of meV,^ Sd^ the ^cumstances I can't refuse. I'll do tothwf not beca.ue of your threat, but because I hewd atout your trouble over theMidas^and because ll^'tXto admmng your blamed insolence." He wei^^c^ It Dextiy returned to Wheaton's office. As he ncare^ rt^he passed a lounging figure in an adjacSt d^t! "The place is watched." he announced as he entered Have you got a backdoor.^ GoodI Leaveyo^^t bunung and we'll go out that way." Th^^pTj 136 COUNTERPLOTS quietly into an in cy, torturus passage which led back towards Second street. Floundering through alleys and over garbage heaps, by circuitous routes, they reached the bridge, where, in the swift stream beneath they saw the lights from Mac's tug. * Steam was up, and when the Captain had let them aboard Dextry gave him instructions, to which he nodded acquiescence. They bade the lawyer adieu and the little craft slipped its moorings, danced dowxl the current, across the bar, and was swaUowed up in the darkness to seaward. "I'U put out Wheaton's light so they'U think he's gone to bed." "Yes, and at dayUght I'll take your place in Mc- Namara s loft," said Glenister. " There will be doings to-morrow when they don't find him." They returned by the way they had come to the lawyer s room, extinguished his Hght, wer t to their own cabin and to bed. At dawn Glenister arose and sought his place above McNamara's office. I '^ ^® stretched at length on a single plank with eye glued to a crack is not a comfortable position, and the watcher thought the hours of the next day would never end. As they dragged wearily past, his bones began to ache beyond endurance, yet owing to the flimsy structure of the building he dared not move while the room below was tenanted. In fact, he would not have stured had he dared, so intense was his interest in the scenes being enacted beneath him. First had come the marshal, who reported his failure to find Wheaton. "He left his room some time last night. My men foUowed him in and saw a light in his window until 137 Ill,; . / THB SPOILERS two o'clock this morning. At seven o'clock we broke in and he was gone." oK!!^?i!"V'*''*f?*^^"*^°'°"'P'*n- Send deputies aboard the Santa Maria; search her from keel to top- mast, and have them watch the beach close or he'U put off in a small boat You look over the passengers ^at go aboard youwelf. Don't trust any of your men for that because he may try to slip through disguised. He s liable to make up like a woman. You understend- there s only one ship in port, and-he mustn't get away." He won t said Voorhees, with conviction, and the hstener overhead smiled grimly to himself, for at that momwit, twenty miles offshore, lay Mac's little tui? hove to m the trapk of the outgoing steamship, andl her tiny cabm sat Bill Wheaton eating breakfast As the morning wore by with no news of the lawyer. ^^^!^'''f^;'''^^^^Srey,, At noon the mardial Ih!^ T^ \'^°? *^^* *^^ passengers were aU aboard and the ship about to clear theSar^' He's sHpped through you," Storied "No, he hasn't. He may be hidden aboard some- where among the coal-bunkers, but I think he's stiU ashore and aiming to make a quick run just before she sails. He hasn't left the beach since daylight, that's sure. I m going out to the ship now with four men can bet he s lying out somewhere in town and we'U get ^Jater. I ve stationed men along the shore for two 'F«•i^°'V^f ^ ^'"^ ^^* ^"^^y. If he should reach Fnsco- Tell your men I'll give five hundred dollars to the one that finds him." I3« COUNTBIPLOTS Thi^ hours later Voorhees returned. She sailed without him." The politician cursed "I Ann*4- u^v .. — tricked you. I knowT did " ' *^'^* •*• »« tie didn t get away," said M< .Vamara " w«'« • and ht a cigarette with wavering hand. ^ s'po^we'u l^f- °' " ''^'- ^'' •*• M-' D- you more is ^. I^d7 If ^f/r t*^^'"^' '"°8- ''"* »^p;ace o. Sti,r/ »tlSot;rztri;:^S nie^is. ri:S7:™rUofy:S*Lt.*;C"fr!?' Without her eh? %h^:> J • • .,•; ^^* d we do sudden tighie:^;o?:ve:;s mr^Jtj that man-s Hquo..sodde„?ps to "peak^^^'f ?f ,* ""^ She s a brave little woman all right ImtwU she worked Glenister and his fcSl partn^ ?t f T nerve to bring in those instruction: of~'a.on::^' " ^9. I 1 '« ^:''ii THB SPOILBRS if it hadn't been for her we'd never have won Uke thii It makes me laugh to think of those two men stowine her away in their state-room while they slept between decks with the sheep, and her with the papers in her bosom all the time. Then, when we got ready to do business, why, she up and talks them into giving us possession of their mine without a fight. That's what 1 call reciprocating a man's affection." Glenister's nails cut into his flesh, while his face went livid at the MTords. He could not grasp it at once. It made him c»ick-physically sick-and for many mo- ments he strove blindly to beat back the hideous sus- picion, the horror, that the lawyer had aroused His was not a doubting disposition, and to him the girl had seemed as one pure, mysterious, apart, angelically in- capable of deceit. He had loved her, feeling that some day she would return his affection without fail In her great unclouded eyes he had found no lurking-place for doubleHiealing. Now-GodI It couldn't be that all the time she had known t He had lost a part of the lawyer's speech, but peered through his observation-hole again. McNamara was at the window gazing out into the dark street, his back towards the lawyer, who lolled in the chair, babbling garrulously of the girt. Glenister ground his teeth— a frenzy possessed him to loose his anger, to rip through the frail ceiling with naked hands and fall vindictively upon the two men. "She looked good to me the first time I saw her " continued Struve. He paused, and when he spoke again a change had coarsened his features. " Say I'm crazy about her. Mac. I tell you, I'm crazy-and she likes me—I know she does— or, anyway, she would—" 140 COUNTERPLOTS "Do you mean that you're in love with h#r>" ..i,^ u"JT.V^^ ^<>^'^thout sStfS^iSrLaSn!:* It seemed that uff^o ;^A:a^ -"mmu^ ma position. *Ithoueh wh<S4 th^i,^K5r"^* was in his question, allyh,, eyes rolled farther and f^Cbti tilfj?"' limply upon hi! fa^ T„°!^^' "^ «> *« •»* fell i-8 With a wate^bucke?' WiST^I^tT ^„-ST; II Ah THB SPOILBIS wiconscious wretch upon his back, then drenched him. Replacing the pail, he seated himself, lit a dgar, and watched the return of Ufe into his victim. He made no move, even to drag him from the pool in which he lay. Strove groaned and shuddered, twisted to his side and at last sat up weakly. In his eyes there was now a great terror, while in place of his drankenness was only fear and faintness— abject fear of the great buU that sat and smoked and stared at him so fishily. He felt uncertainly of his throat, and groaned again '•Why did you do that ?" he whispered ; but the other made no sign. I^e tried to rise, but his knees relaxed • he staggered and fell. At last he gained his feet and made for the door; then, when his hand was on the knob, McNamara spoke through his teeth, without re- movmg his cigar. •'Don't ever talk about her again. She is goin* to marry me." * ^ When he was alone he looked curiously .p at the ceihng over his head. "The rats are thick in this shack, he mused. "Seems to me I heard a whole swarm of them." A few moments later a figure crept through the hole in the roof of the house next door and thence down into the street. A block ahead was the slow-moving form of Attorney Strove. Had a stranger met them both fte would not have known which of the two bad felt at his throat the clutch of a strangler, for each was drawn and haggard and swayed as he went. Glenister unconsciously turned towards his cabin but at leaving the lighted streets the thought of iti darkness and silence made him shudder. Not now! 14a COUNTBIPLOTS h^la^^ He diu^^ot be alone. Dextr^ould ^ l«ht and turmoil. He Ucked hi. Up. and found that they were cracked and dry. At rare intervals during the past yean he had stag- gw»d m from a long march where, for houn, he had clumsy w^th fatigue, his garments wet and stiff, his mmd s ack and sullen At such extreme seal's he had felt a consuming thirst, a thirst which burned and JJ^t'^afhi^^^f '^r'^ *^^~ ^*^ ^' '•-^Wy Not a thirst for water, nor a thirst which eaten snow could quench, but a savage yearning of his whole ex- hausted system for some stimulant, for some coursing fi«y fluid that would bum and strangle. At^Z ^key-for bnmdy! Remembering these occasional ferocious desires, he had become charitable to such un- fortunates as were too weak to withstand similar temp- tations. •«"**/ Now with a shock he caught himself in the grip of a thirst as msistcnt as though the cold bore down and SI 7**^^ °^ "^^^ ^«*^ «»'«» wrapped him about. It was no foolish wish to drown his thoughts thiTBtl Thiretl-a crymg. trembling, physical lust to qwmch the fires that burned inside. He remembered that It had been more than a year since he had tasted whiskey Now the fever of the past few hours had parched his every tissue. ♦t.:^ ^® ®l^^^ '"^ ^^'^S^h the crowd at the Northern. «1^ °«* 1^ «ade room at the bar. for they recogi nized the hunger that peers thus from men's facS. »43 THB SPOILBI$ Their manner recalled Glenister to hii mum. »^a v wrenched hin-elf away. TTJ^ZTZ'^t^ ■now-baaked road.hotwo. He wcniW nTrtSd^Sd •oak himwilf . .hottlder to .houMer with ttevj^ ^ S2idariil?^/Sf^*"**- The man on hi. right ^wed a gla«. and the young man strangled a mad- new to tear it from hie haadt. Inrtead he htm4^ back to the theatre and up to a boTxSuJSf liT^ the curtaina. «« »P «> a box. where he drew itto^"f^'"5!l!^'*'*^^"y'*«*^^»i*^- "Bring it to me fart. Don't you hear? Whitkeyl" wi^tewr^?''"'*^^'***'*^*'- SheanjeeaS ?m? h»». entenng without ceremony. What s the matter, boy?" .he questioned. uirV ^ »™ 8l*d you came. Talk to me." la J^ '.^mv°iir ''"^ r"-'*^^**" «m*rk.." she "t*"*?* . , . y °°° * yo" *»^^ «• to .pring some i?ood ongmalpto.? You look Uke the fiJS toTiSx^J go.a.-you-pleaM. What', up?" "™° «> * "'•^•y ente4d**llr^ to bin, for a moment until the waiter tne gias. from the tray and poured the whiskey on the floor. Glemeter wa. on hi. feet and had to by 2e "What do you mean?" he «dd. roughly, drink" ^ ^' ^'' "^ cried, "and you don't ••Of couree it', whiskey. Bring me another" hm shouted at the attendant. K ™ anotner. he "What's the matter?" Cherry insisted. "I never saw you act so. You know y^^don't dSk. llZ% 144 COUNTBIPLOTS ri '•I waich the boy bad returned. -«.y. b„?L otb:.i^p.7S:.^jL"^!;.7rSi T. pk-'^^li*;^" -ou^-'" eood .t w. c. thr««^lw ^ * •*""« *"°^'' *» hMdle your own It urktrtiX" "• "^"^ • """•»*• *^ "» -fci u""' t»o lemonades," he said, and with a lan.h :^:t^^. ' «"' «-^ «"<>**• i.^- f^' ^<m're too good. m«. to drink. Now, tell me ril --^wi. •uu me to let them jump ouf claim. She »4« THB SPOILBIS When the had pled with him for hiniMlf a m«m^* before Cherry Malotte wm genuine andS SHTw as he spoke thus of the other wom«« - u ^ .1, . .u'"'" ""'"»'>«'• when I warned you and D«t» handle, the Judge.T S? l^iw.'.V^.'T I^" woman lied easily. fl„„tly. and th™"^ tSeved 2^ "Yes." in Sr^""* °««'« t^ think you had ten thousand "I don't know." •^I do. Dextry told her." I'm an''*"" arose. "That's all I want to hear now ngfit like this before and it hu«s. You see, I've been Z46 COUNTBIPLOTS ^C^J^d^hlie't^i:: - H. for ^ w« thA im/i^/ "H*"'/ witn tne ea^ierness of one who sees the Bronco Kid beckoning to her nor the man with Wm Er'SL^'i'Jr^i:!,^!? '"-^ alon^TdltiSS " N^.Td ^Vk^* ?*"u^"^ ^ " *^« new-comer inq«i,;d. No I d rather look on. I feel sociable Yo^ a ^,ety man, Mr. Champian. Don't y^toow^^ thing of uiterest? Scandal or the Uke ?" """^ ^y for Sr ) **? ^^i^ ^?' ^y ^'« »tt«d« to aU that for the family. But I know there's lots of it I?. P^^^ l^ y^"^^^ "^^ ^*^'* »U eqwal. north of Fifty-three. I never heard the like." miidi??„t;Ltr "' •^"*"^^" ^^^ ««»-. ChZ^' '^^ ^ ^"^"^ ""^ *^^* the Judge's niece, Miss lowi!!^ w°"® ^"™^ abruptly, while the Kid slowly •• Wk • ***® inquired. «j*w?-^'r*,f^"^ **^® compromised herself pretty badlv spnng. Mighty brazen, according to my wife. Mrs M7 THB SPOILBIS Sty ^kS*""" *^ "~ •"'"«• "^ •^« ~» i^- Ahl Glenister had toM her onlv haU th. ..i. thoughttheprL Th. truth w« b^ i^S *^.SS look up *" " <*^ *>»» »>"> xwmd cauMd the girf to What ails you? A^yr!^v,» M ""^ /»<• ^^' Do >w« love that girl, too? Whv .w. «^ man in town cra«y.» ^' "** * «*»* ^^^T She wrung her hinds, which is a bad siim in a. r*noKu ••lf!l^ "t .^''"M ~»'<» kiU him for thati" ^^ could I." «id th. Kid. and Wt h^^^mt i i^i i CHAPTER XIII IN WHICH A MAN 18 P08SE8SBD OF A DBVIL FOR a long time Cherry Malotte sat qmetly think- ing, removed by her mental stress to such an in- toite distance from the music and turmoil beneath that she was conscious of it only as a formless -lamor. She had tipp^ a chair back against the doo , wedging it beneath the taob so that she might be saved from in! terruption. then flung herself into another seat and stared unseemgly As she sat thus, and thought, and schemed, harsh and hateful lines seemed to eat into her tace. Now and then she moaned impatiently, as thoueh fearing lest the strategy she was plotting ^ght prove futile: then she would rise and pL her^nar^w qlT^! u JzV^ unconscious of time, and had spent per- haps two hours thus, when amid the buzz of talk in the next compartment she heard a name which caused her to start, listen, then drop her preoccupation like a s:n^*':ilriLrvTs..^^^^^ ^-^^■ in v^- ° •''^' ^7 *°y?hing Uke it smce McMaster's Night .Xw^T ^u^' ^^"^^^ y^ ^°- He's right- " K f ri ^ *P^ ^'" ^^^ °*^«»' feP^ed, doubtfuUy inXl^eT'^^^'^"'^^'^- I--«''«taked'aZ; "Then lend me the money, m pay it back in an 149 li B it If. ! -h THB SPOILBIS hour, but for Heaven's sake be quick. I tell vou i,.'. « nght as a golden punea. It'sVe l„ciyn& u' oets. In fifteen nunutes more we can't eet close «ough to a table to send in our money witL f me^ *"ri7-r'^ sport in camp will be here." a tii, ♦w\''°"-? ^^•" *■" **«»"> ««» "plied, in a^tone that ri.owed a t«ce of hi. companionTexdt" wit^^?t*t 'f ^»>W. the girl learned, and «l^e^h^ Sl±,",*° ''""' *"* ^^^ J'O" ««"« and exate the greed of every gambler in camp Newsof lus wmnings had'gone out into the stre^i the!^ ^t«es on the adversity of their feUows. Those who h^^nomoney to stake we« borrowing. Hke the m^ ae left her retreat, and. descending the stain was S^W^^ '*""?'•''«''*• Thedanc^hallZ^r of ^ but the musiaans. who blew and fiddled lusSy »"» ^deavor to draw ftom the rapidly swS »owd that thronged the gambUng-room^dsSf to the door. The press was thickest about Tuhle thTln """ °* «" P*^*^ °" "^'^ «"» tables alaS S^r^;. * "" "°» '"ddenly. foUowed by ut^ sUence; then came the clink and rattle of sUver A "•^do*:! 't"°:r^ "^^ •*» UughtL^ftali^ ;^^ . P"* field or the favorite. He's made eigh- t^straight pass«. Get your money on the to!> There ensued another breathless instant wherein she ISO A >AN IS POSSESSED OP A DEVIL «oove the others and pushed out thromrh th« rin. .» *i, lar teble they had quitted, the dealer was putting aX h,s dice, and there was not a coin in his rLk mS ••nin^Lir ^'°^^ ^.* "*P «^«'" Mullins told her- m^teen passes without losing the bones." now much did he win?" bettfnt* ^^fl^'i' "^"u""""^ ^^"^^^ ^«t ^t'« the people betting with him that does the damage! They're c^anTthl 'T I ^ Jack bank-roll first. $4,000. then cleaned the Tub.' By that time the tin horns b«ran to come m. It's the greatest r.nl ever s^T ^ • Did you get in?" but^b^k-rVlJ'J'.'^T *** ^ "*'*' P'«y '"'ythmg U^^-M-IUet'.^e^*' "^ ^"^ *^ ««'• th« '"^ evL''»h^°rr! °'. *' '^""^ ^'^ *° infect the girl even though she looked on from the outside. The « Tt^l 1°"^- ^^I'-Oden h-»h, the tensity of ne^e" ^™shSl''f.! """■*?'• AstrangerirfttheS^.^ Wki^/%! ™ * "~u "T **«^ "^ Mexico stoS and^Ll. '" '^' ""* »°dy. with shifting glance ^siik^'S^u^his d^r s^' ■•!' *-* V~ He darted totals ^iti'^L^'uZ^. ]^hS little animal, unnaturally excited '"gitened . v'*"*?,*''*t isn't so bad for three betsi" He shook a sheaf of bank-notes at them. «e shook I- THB SPOILBIS '•T!Z 1°°'* ^°" •^*'" '"l"^ Muffin.. I a^ too wue. Hal I know when "quit H« «^p^r»- ^.s?s„;s. -. to rarro^xr-^-^^^f-"^"""^^^ wrav in f^L-I^ . ^ ®*^ ^^"^ clamorously fieht hii Vermont desperadoes that ne^Ld f^^. ,f *''*°' •^eJ'^'°*r '°- -°'" ^^hi^ t ^e ■ ' "" There are plenty of his sort hi^ " ♦». • » markrf; "hi, «.»! would fit ^a^'.t^.?^' Jjf S^m"T ,^ »-*«"•« back"" w^^W ^ rette, seemingly obliviouQ^ M,^ ^^ ^^ ^8^*" htuS-4r- "^^ — -- - ^a^ ^. ^y aren't you d«Uing bank? I«,-t thli" your i|a ii' A lAK IS FOSSBSSBD OF ▲ DBVIL "Iqtaitlaitnight." "vr.^otl'tir'l''*^"'^^'- Lucky for vo«/' tdngr "'*''*''"' T^«« »t s >wr money he's win- Sh^io*l!?* '**!*"' * tJ»o«sand a minute." the sound toM tho* ♦!,« *."""^ers. At that mstant wo qmeuy, that his hand and voice wi^.- ♦«« * y^ twitter and quit his stool Th^ « a departing headed for tSe cro^^it^ e o^S'e^'.^^ ''^ ^-nefa^^'sSi/^^^r J'' IT'^^^^'C lidded eyes th«eTl^ *J^^' ""!'* '"'* »' "^ '•«»^- forwart, he seST" ™,»'««««"">'« rage. Steppi^ " about viol^t^ "' *°"°~* "^ "d »P«» hto " Where are you going ? " goT^nT^i: w"^ *° '^='- " - """^ht we'd ve;;t°rhe';ti^:itC'hin," r ^ '"^ «■»"« *» they did noJleC ^ t?. / ^ *! ""«i«ans, and their duties however the^"' */'' ""^ "''"""i ■Jl THB SPOILBIS her «,d «id. ••Ifet;".^'^Pr^- .H« t»™e<l to "l^Z'f' '""' ~"''* "" Glenister." " Don't you love " . "Toby. I waSt youV^,^e Z hT "^ f'"' ister begin, to p|ay fl^ rn*,!^? ""T! "*«' ^^l^- , '.'I never deaft a S^k^^^'t th"'''' •^'" daimed the Kid, "birtru 'U^^lw *^ '""P-" «" I'll kill himi rn lue . 'Lh ..if- "1" *^"'«''* <"• to explain my ^ '„ ^''■*f,' ~«' And I w«.t you'll queer m b^Hn^^VL''"" "^ *^« "P" ^ He rapidly «hear,^hK'a,^T.°° *' '"^•" to a layman would have beM.^^„.li " f^"" »*"<* them by certain ah„«t ^S^^f ,^7;"""*^*^'^ finger, or change, in the a^^^il- *'ting, of the M to thwart tocoveT ^.S"!"-.'^,''?^' " »%»>t by and followed hi,^ery wtrf^^H *".*'" «*" '*^ dnTer^a, S S^wtr^ ^H *" ^ ' ""^ code of the "inade life " T?W t ^' ^•' «" *« page, and die memwSed mmv 1- JT" fU a, an open the ,ign, by whil^ "^'^ ^'^^ *<» did To*^ what card he had mxLl^^Jlu T^'°^ *° «8°»» In faro it i, cust^^TiT, ^* °'' ""O •>«<*• the oppo^te .de of Kr^^^^^J:'^;™ lit to f" f J 4 "AH IS POSSBSSBB OP A DBVIt button opponte . «^i^\,*''^'''"™'" «>w>ve, • «hi-.. i»^ tLT^:t^ r* "? "" '"*" -' what ipot. havebeeTnlfv^ • ' **""■ "V *«« Hi. dtttie.. thoirSnSu'^tL r «~ «iU » the boK. en not taUy with the caM. in th!^ ""* "*""*■ *im," aU bets on ♦h- ♦!?. . ""* o" the "la»t hon«tIyd«S? Sot tw!i "t '*r'r* ™'<>- '«T>» but it i. intSiHiS X^* *" f l"""""? ««»«». the game i, c«»kJSltTfa^ f"f .""Z?^- ^« of generation, of ca^^w ;hl.T °' *''* '»8*'"^ty • multitude of devS; t^ ,Mr.''T "^ *^»>'«d P«ting. TheM M«^ r , ^'""* *° *«*<* the unmu- the iStiatri ^yl^^^-^"]; ""k*" that n«Xt *t -^« fo^ ^ dSTv^^tuta^"'^ 0^ Instead of usini? a famiiio/- ;n«dle-teU." rZ^T^^^^H^' '^ *• dealer', thumb, thus BgnalwS. „ '' ^''" *• "sand-tell." In oth« i^ detennmed to um the ".traight box." bSf fd^STrf t,"^ ™P'<'5' « which had bei roughenrf tLT*'- ""^ "'" "t that, by I-WX^t^n^riT* "«"*'''• " earf. the one beneath woiSdhrtiw ™ *<?> <» «po6ed and thu. enable hta tTdS ?^^f '"'^'r "^ove. occasion demanded ^k ^?.r """"'*''»'« the enable him to deteci t^L^J* ""* '°"" '"'ewiM <^ by the fatotet ^^w ""T" °' • -""ked In this iianipulationT^lT^""'* "'*" '" <'«>t- rr'"^°"^-^«p-=^a-^:S *5 ( ,' if p THB SPOILBIS *Ii*t, when the deck was {orcmA n^^u of the box. «,«, wo^ b^^^T^ »»•,•"• money. It i,. of coune. WUI tt^f ^I- ^°' *^ CMe-keeper be able to Tt^J;-* .r^^ *?' confederate fectly fa^~ to mo^eX^l^- ^•^«*''' •«" per- ".pind, else t™„Sni*:^"f/J?°y """^ *" «"- the hand when the cZ^J^::^:'^'^^'^ "' w^S^fchty^Sr^' ^'^^ the roulette. wheel ^?^ formed her way towardi but could nor^n^h^?* *° '"** °'«»i«". The men wouM*^t ^'^ilf"'? "' *"" ««"«1 w« glued upon Se^JTL '?''?• »^«y "X* in its row, of «r^btack -S^ '^^■*'"' '""«' hind it untU the crZi«. h",' K f '*" P""^ •>«- ball. «,d »i(^L?TIZ^f^'^l "r'^'mtbe forwari again inch b^ t^^ ^.*^«y P7«d <vory. drunk with it. -^-iT- ""?. by the aong of the of akncT^ '** ""^P' """Jdeaed by the breath Cherry gathered that Glenister was rtill —•—• , a glimpse of the whefi-^-iTt,^ ^ wmmng, for those,AeadshowJSSfeh^**° *' *°"'''«» of ^ Plainly it was but a „ *^':?•'?*n'y°•'*°"*• backed out and tookhtr^^^.°*.J°T*^' «> ** whe« the Bronco^d was^^X^' *?' '^*""« colorless mask of ini^t^' ,"" *«» >«« its moved slowly wiLthf^^l ^ '""^ *"*« bands lute maste,?^ rf tis l^S"*^ ""* ^k<med abso- crap dealer Vk^i^^'eas^* ""'"W. ^b. «c- IS6 ide Jie ed ch of lis te r- p- )£ T 8 A mil IS FOSSBSSBD OP A DB?IL •nd •urrounded her, Glenister among the othoT^ H« J^" >!*«>•««» -he knew. In^cT^f^eiJi SS^^T "^^ ^^"^ ^« ^ »^* her. hi. U^^ flushed and recklew, hi. coUar wa. open AoX^ hSTl^ ^'^i'^?^ ««^J^. while t^t o^aSe ^JT*^? ^ ^ !»« wa. again the violent? T I^^;^^**''*"^**'^*^"*^^'- Hi..elf.re.t;iSt and dignity were gone. He had tried the new w^ and they were not for him. He dipped back^^ past swallowed him. *^^^ ' •^ "^ rel^v -T^^if^*^ ^* ^*^ •^*»* •<>»• cental ^aiL He" WW ^"J^> *^ ^°«^^ '^'^ ^ agam He had been mdifferent whether he won or lost so assumed a reckless disregard for the la^ Z probability thinking that he w?uld rfiortl/ lolTtb! w^t mlr r.' *'"*.^ home."*&'SS n^ want It ^en his luck remained the same, he raiMd the stakes, but it did not change-he could not^ Before he realized it. other men were betting^^S ^' jumated purely by greed and cra^T^tS s^' Fu^one. then another joined tiU giTaL^g'L?^ :L^tru2.m^.-^^^^^^ ^^^t^'^ ^"* -- increases S: He paid no attention to Cherry as he took his seat Hehadeyesfornothingbutthe"i;yKmt."lhe^S her hands and prayed for his ruin ciencned '•What's your limit, Kid?" he inquired. One hundred, and two," the Kid answered, which m the vernacular means that any sum up to $aU rJJ^y 157 ^ 9! I TBB SPOILBIS with imujHiae-SS^' ^L'TiSL*"** ^^^ ^ A# *uL *^** "* witcii, for now ouna thm <*n.JIt «1!j: w the evening. ?•«> i> */« «*k J^^ cmdml test ^^* time Glenirter won etetdily till th«. c««. . n«»n«nt when nuuiv Mt^v* #»/ ^ui^ t ^^" *•"*• • the next momenth. hT «.!fu?!jf^''««P*' •«« P^ no •ttmtion. At thT^S ?? u „ "? P'*'^ "inniagi were iUgbtlyVuv^l "^ •» how the Gfcmirter «id, ^uV^lZ^ *?* ''°^" "*» thelfaU?' "»^ *^ proprietor. "We'll double «««ne«. while, to idd tm,^/" the crowd'. c«ne w™„g twice i^u^J^T^'^'T would have bet heavilv nn^T*? .'"^""t thoie who money given WkS.^ ^.J^ turn h«l their to his shoulder In th- .J«!-?^ ?* crowded dose "«iaer. m the same way the owner of the »S8 A NAN IS FOSSfiSSBD OP A »BVIL tofiU the m^^.v^^^ ^«»W ^'oJ««fT ble of the trick H. 7I„m ^^J^r PW««»t capa. Th!v h!i "«'<>«««*te confederate. ^ ^^ tw bruth up your plumet." ^ ^' ^^^^^ ** *^- In ipite of hit anger the Bronco Kid smiled H«««, with glee in vean to «?«- u ^*7^ ««d recount Toby glanced inquirinfflv at ♦»»- ^^unouciciea. Cherry'! reawurinff look f „^ !LlL^**v''^** ^^^^J** miJce no erron-the d^^Sr i^^ t^ v^ ^^^ were sharpened by hate~it .hL!j •' ^ ^ "^^ Glenister Mcaoed d Jl!!!^ ! .*^ "* ^ '•<»• M ca^i^*^',^*^ *<>^^^^^ it would be be- faU. ''°^** ***** accomplish his down- In the mind of the new caup v— v^ ^t one thought^Roy „L?^ hwl^^ '^V" "^"^ ^^* race, ruin, ridicule were toTTv' "??^***<^°' da- downed, diicredi^ ZI^ J^ ^ ^' " ^« "^^owld be he wouldt^^er «'hfh"d irth^ V'^"' P^^^P*' He was sHpping awa^f«f« i? " *v? ^^-^"^^ ^X*- THB SPOILBIS •timiilat«l Bronco tiU hit teiiMt. too, gi«w ihmrper. hit obwrvAUon more acute and lightning-Uke. Glen- »t©r fwore beneath hit breath that the carda were be- witclwd. He waa like a drunken man. now aa truly fatwdcated as though the fumes of wine had befogged Us bram. He swayed in his seat, the veins of his neck ttuckened and throbbed, his features were congested. After a while he spoke. "I want a bigger limit. Is this some boy's game? Throw her open." » The gambler shot a triumphant glance at the girl «nd acquiesced. "AU right, the limit is the blue sky. We your checks to the roof-pole." He began to shufRe. Within the crowded circle the air was hot and fetid vnth the breath of men. The sweat trickled down GlmistM^s brown skin, dripping from hts jaw unno- ticed. He arose and ripped off his coat, while those standing behind shifted and scuffed their feet impa- tiently. Besides Roy, there were but three men play- mg. They were the ones who had won heaviest at first. Now that luck was against them they were k>ath to quit. Cherry was annoyed by stertorous breathing at her shoulder, and glanced back to find the little man who had been so excited earlier in the evening. His mouth was agape, his eyes wide, the muscles about his hps twitching. He had lost back, long since, the hun- dreds he had won and more besides. She searched the figures walling her about and saw no women. They had been crowded out long since. It seemed as though the table formed the bottom of a sloping pit of human faces— eager, tense, staring. It was well she was here, z6o :i ; A MAH IS POSSBSSBD OP A DBYIL ■he thought, ebe this t«sk might fail. She would help to blAst Glenister, desoUte him, humiliate him. Ah. but wouldn't thel Roy bet lioo on the "popuUr" card. On the third turn he loit. He bet laoo next and lott. He tet out a •tack of I400 and lott for the third time. Fortune had turned her face. He ground hii teeth and doubled until the stakes grew enormous, while the dealer dealt monotonously. The spoto flashed and disappeand taking with them wager after wager. Glenister became conscious of a raging, red fury which he had hard shift to master. It was not his money— what if he did lose ? He wouM stay until he won. He would win. This hick would not, could not, last—and yet with diaboUc persistence he continued to choose the losing cards The other men fared better till he yielded to their judg^ ment, when the dealer took their money also. Strange to say, the fickle goddess had really shifted her banner at last, and the Bronco Kid was dealing •traight faro now. He was too good a player to force a winning hand, and Glenister's ill-fortune became as phenomenal as his winning had been. The girl who figured in this drama was keyed to the highest tension her eyes now on her counters, now searching the profile of her victim. Glenister continued to lose and- lose and lose, while the girl gloated over his swift-coming rum. When at long intervals he won a bet she shrank and shivered for fear he might escape. If only he would nsk It aU-«verything he had. He would have to come to her then! The end was closer than she reaUzed. The throng hung breathless upon each move of the players, whUe there was no sound but the noise of shifting chips and z6x Ill .1 ]i t TBB SPOILBIS between his teeth rZs^Z*^' **** "8^»«' clenched •poke or couched a b/v«J; "atues. When a man w«d tm they .^^ rtelS^,*^ **f» 'M" *"«» f<i' oo the lale aTZ^'u /■. Heplaceda-'copper" «« .like thi^t iSL,t .loi^e" '1?J«^'' '»<'«» • one's grandchUdren—ti,.* V^ /^*" was a tate for aar' roads'?-'- •he felt it If t,- vl^ ^7 , *°" ^- ^« ^ould quit- life hinged on this w^?^ °* happmess. of love, of leaned back he sS JLJ T f"^' ?"" " GlLster out of the^x AUfc ^ ^^'y P^^^ the top card »^ life, hi ^t«yt^^So?J: *"" '"*"• •"«»•»* t^f . e Detrayed no trra»r. Hi, gesture displayed ',>,ij ed ne in a- c- i- A MAN IS POSSfiSSBD OP A DBVIL Tll'S!L°l'^°**^^' ^^ ^^* *^^<* t»re.thed heavily ^ kuy had not won. Would it lose? EverTea^ wa. welded to the tiny nickelled box. IfthefS^^aM ^rio^dT ^^! ~rP°^' the heavS:74r^ d^^ 7h^ f ? been lost: if it still remained hid^ den^n^the next turn, the money would be safe for a hi.®m«Jj5' ""^^^ ^.*"^ °' *»>• ^le^Je*- «oved back- ^n^M ^"^r iT**"^ *^« "^« °^ diamonds: it sHd t^^iT*, °K *^' ^T' ""^ *^^"^ ^ its place f row^^ If^f °u ''^'- -^t last the silence was broken, no ^r t/^"** ^*"«^^"^' ^"t »" their laughter was ?L^ 5 Z^ '"^'^ "^e the sound of choki^^ S^mfin J*S f ^'' ~*^^^ ^°th and slid the stack Th/^ I *^^ ^"^^^^ *t his waist without counting Ld ^"^?P"' P^^ * '^^^""^ han^ over heTf^* thl ^hf° »t came away she saw blcxxi on her fin^ ^•111^ t^ hand out if you-U Irt m. b« th. 'fin- "Certainly," replied the dealer. wilTc^S thT? '^^T*! l^^' P"^"^« it ««^ that he «ie v^ili * t°*°"°t of his ^ager without producing the vwible stakes, and the dealer may accent or ^ul nl2f *? '^ ^"'^^"^ °^ *^« betto^r-r^sCibtr North^ '/?u ""^ "?" '^i*"^ » ?^»«bling debVin the North and thousands may go with a nod of the h^ though never a cent be on the board ^ There were stiU a few cards in the box. and the dealer X63 Ill i if ill I .li III ,. I ' i) THB SFOILBIS turned them, paying the thi«e men who olaved n^ mer took no part, but s&t bulked ov^ Kd o?^' toeether in «,kTu^^ "*® denomination coming wgezaer, m which event r'aolit«" ;♦ ;» n ^7^» dealer tak^ hou «.i, ^ ^ ^ ** ^ called) the ««Mrr taices Half the money. The stakM w^./ i ^? at last and the deal aboi,/i,^ ^ne m^ „^^^ ^^ t^ubled ^e, upon- the n^.,^",^,JS't™S; "Counting bank rolls, fixtures, and all about . h™, chooST«rL"'°nr- There w«, three ca^to ev» v^^hrri"* ""'^ ^"""y "•"<>«*• divined tms. It was not gameness," nor altogether a i«4 A MAR IS FOSSBSSBD OP A DBYIL tntttiA ftiilybomneas which would not let him quit. It WM tomethtng deeper. He was desolate and his heart was gone. Helen was lost to him — ^worse yet, was unworthy, and she was all he cared for. What did he want of the Mklas with its lawsuits, its intrigues, •nd its trickery ? He was sick of it all— of the whole game — ^and wanted to get away. If he won, very well. If he lost, the land of the Aurora would know him no When he p«t his proposition, the Bronco Kid drop- ped has eyes as though debating. The girl saw that he studied the cards in his box intently and that his fin- gers caressed the top one ever so softly during the instant the eyes of the rest were on Glenister. The dealer looked up at last, and Cherry saw the gleam of triumph in his eye; he could not mask it from her, though his answering words were hesitating. She knew by the look that Gleni^cr was a pauper. "Con»e on," insieted Roy, hoarsely. "Turn the cards." "You're on!" The girl felt that she was fainting. She wanted to scream. The triumph of this moment stifled her — or was it triumph, after all ? She heard the breath of the little man behind her rattle as though he were being throttled, and saw the lookout pass a shaking harid to his chia, then wet his parched lips. She saw the man she had helped to ruin bend forward, his lean face strained and hard, an odd look of pain and weariness in his eyes. She never forgot that look. The crowd was frozen in various attitudes of eagerness, although it had not yet recovered from the suspense of the last great wager. It knew the Midas and what it meant 165 I! Hi THB SFOILBIS ?»WW. and it ««„15*J^. « »ove. sj. one J»^y Mid leered at the ^t Zl^' ?' ""eritoted pur- fW*^ and beaithit w'fS." *^ *'«MPoeZ. ^on th.t other wa^er ^fl^SLT «- king h«i d« crash. Chel>rv M.i JT^ ^ «>»ttered by a nd- :That bet i. or^Tietl'21"^ '^ ««* clear: Glenister half rose ov.^- ** ''^«>n?J" l»«»d«. tense and talon-like f h J^l' .!f *^ ^"^ ^w«derful « though i^hing °^ thL^^^ forwwd away They worlLl «d \^'.^ »^,l»«<i hatched though in dumb fury ^ J^,*^^ ,^^ t««bfed a. c oth table-cover, m^^ T.^*^ ^^o the oil. h« eyes bla«d at her^X^w """"i^^^ »^^ •dly, bracing hen«lf wrar f^*K '^'IJ ^^^ affi^^- Mffls. ■^•^^ "^«» the uble with ^ R«Mon came slowly back to ni— • . standing with it. HeJ^L^ Gi«u»ter. aad undet^ "«-•• He could i«d1^^ 1*'!'*^ ^~« a nig^ look of bAd hate^thl J^ ^^^"^^ ^^« »««^^ Ws ana. ^^6^6^^''^;^^-^ on the table woman, who shraak l^Jl^J^?'^ ** ^^ <^owering «na]ce. She triS^o^k Tut '*.\!!?^^* ^^^^ dealer came to hiaadf^d J^* if^°^- '^^^^^ the teeth one wofd:^^ ' ^ "^"^ ^*"hly thro,^ j^ i6# A NAlf IS POSSBSSBD OP A DBVIL "Chmtl" He raised his fist and struck the Uble so violently that chips and coppers leaped and rolled, and Cheiri^ closed her eye. to lose sight of his awful grimaci Glenister looked down on him and said- ^^ "I think I understand; but the money was youn anyhow so I don't mind." His meaning n^ Vuto* The Kid suddenly jerked open the drawer before Wm.* but Glenater clenched his right hand and leaned for- ward. The miner could have killed him with a btow Kid checked himself, while his face began to twitch as though the nerves underlying it had broken bondage and were dancing in a wild, ungovernable orgy. Yo« have taught me a lesson," was all that Glen- ister and . and with that he pushed through the crowd and out mto the cool night air. Overhead the arctic stairs imked at hun. and the sea smells struck him, H^ f^ i"^ A. he went homeward he heard the It^^*'!?'^^^*^^*^^"-^***- It hew the mystery mkJ sadness of the JJorth. He paused and ^ his tli^k n-t^ he«i. Stood for'ir^g tT^ girtHienng hsm.elf together. Stalling so. he made cer- ta.n covena-nts with hi««lf. a«.d vowed solemnly never to touch another card. At the same moment Cherry Malotte came hurrying toher cott^e door, fleeing as thot^ from pursuit^ ^r* ^i^^^'^»^t«l spot. She paused before ei^ng and flung her arms outward into the dark in a wi*e gesture of despair. '•Why did I do it? Oh! why did I do it? I can't un^Mstand myself." "n.r icant i f! CHAPTER XIV A mONIOHT IIB88BNOBR t»n Which it i. oTStTto ^i^U^ -"^ '"'%- ".thLvsn: hi^?.'- *"'-=^* I "o„id much tively gaunt. Why— vou'r.^/ growmg posi- oM man." She iSe W,^ *^ "'*' ''""^^ ""» »» table and WMt ^^1,^^'* Jl *"* '»~«««- with affection. ' »°°°*'^ 1»» »ilve«d head wh«: tt'X^S'at'w^ r^ i* *" >"• '"edc. gave way to a^mife "^ '^''•'"»"y »' ••t.^ t..at^'a„'°'^ij':i?^-''!r^»^f ■>«- ->'. and rm too far along.^ J^r,^' ^ -; A aiBNIGBT IIBSSBNGBK On. WOU& think S.t .^atfertLh" *'' *""«• g.as.anditswa.ul^^'.tll^i^^-'^PoU.hed . rai-road in , ^,, -^tr^XTZZX 169 I ; ; !' f i I'U M THB SPOILBIS ^Idn't they have lymphony orchattrat tad Look " v^*T ^?*5!" • 'P^~^^^ dtnctr," the Mid. You thaU be my judge and jury. I'U tin this card at oftwi ai I dare without the certainty of violence at the hand, of theM young men, and the net of the time lU tmoke m the lobby. I don't care to dance with any one but you." ^^ After the fint waits he left her surrounded by part- ners and made his way out of the ballroom. This was His first relaxation since hmding in the North. It was well not to become a dull boy, he mused, and as he chewed his agar he pictured with an odd thriU, quite unusual with him. that slender, gray^ed girl. With her coiled mass of hair, her ivory shoulders, and merry wnUe. He saw her float past to the measure of a twi •tep. and cAught himself resenting the thought of an- other mans enjoyment of the girl's charms even for an instant. "Hold on. Alec," he muttered. "You're too old a u v*2^***7^***^" However, he was waiting for iier before the time for their next dance. She seemed to have lost a part of her gayety. "What's the matter? Aren't you enjoying your- "Oh, yes!" she returned, brightly. "I'm havina a delightful time." «»viiig » When he came for his third dance, the was more dtstrattg than ever. As he led her to a seat they passed fi. group of women, among whom were Mrs. Champian and othere whom he knew to be wives of men prominent in the town. He had seen some of them at tea in Judge Stillman's house, and therefore 170 A >IIHI6RT >BSSBII6BR «^L^^ of m«. h. could cop. with. bufS; •"J:^ "'.r^r »«• out of hi. wato. "• your *^°" '^'•' ""• *'»y «»ff«»«w b«i" tli^l'T"'"^ ** *•• » '«'• •PO'- to th«». "Cut yoKf" he exclaimed. bi«h "it !!!lI'**.*r"^J*'- *"' •>» l»M her he«l wS hJ.!??^." **""«'' •" t^ »<»»«> in Nome r^nTuHS^^^uis^*-*— "«^-^ «.7r''f?' "? *'" "»*•" •■» "M. proudly. "I ,l,.ii Mce whom be might question. Most of ^e m^« Nome either hated or feai«l hiJ^v^^ v -^ "* .huh^thou^ht -.ti'sr^.^dtd-r iS: you to be." «uw»tanar i m blunt, and I want ••All right." "««• 1 ve seen her there. To-night she refuses to t : fl ' \l\ I m TRB SPOILBIS "How •hould I kooir?" iJi'Si^tS; lis* »«« to ««- out." «x« that goes M SuJ^' i!^ ?m>to«-<amp ■well.. inrS SX'S r»SS' •*.T' '^ '» '^ "»*««- tteiTutTlv «d .?^ "■" *"»«^» the convw,. ofl^TS^w"' '5°"* '* *" • «~«»' "»y. but t«^i^»'«°'°'^»-«*thin«,. Yo„.^'C "Goon." M«. CIuoiii?U'^i^t".^ti^* young Gieni^. him-I ehSod «v_^^i •tate-room to thero-eiw- girl CM do wtatYh. p£L."^ S ' a"""*™!' ' ^*b«.. »n„ truth in th. .to.y.too!'^;^^^ though W „ elucidation o? tl^^t 'S i7a A maiiieaT mbssbmobr "•.^«1 .- * ' ^'"•'ying toward! Um. xouve changed your mind?" ^^ better than to ountinn w T . • •"•* ■» knew tbe Hght in tl^in^plrter sZT^'v""* *"'»«" »P .chair. ..orming l^^":;^ fJ^V: STr" Her eyes were starry with tear. «/ - \ "* '**'y- •gainit the mantel watcWna T^'IS:*^- ^* ^••"^J •moke. ' ^»*«'»»°« l>«r through bis cigar bit her lip ••\Sl,ft^!^L "*'/°*^« <^»"«ht and Shi and faced them. Ol,w7i. ^ *° *<*• "omen "I shall have to k*II rt«^.n '"'"'T*' ''»*• flecl*.g hi, cig„ a^^'i't'thT^ar* """• "^ •^• -S^r'i ' "" **r '*'■" »»^ 'o<"»0 .t him vieniscer, of course If T h^A *.u *. 7 "• would ever „«;h X I'd hatf .t??,*' *' **°^ ago." / ". »a nave shut him up fong "It didn't come from him." ,he cried, hot with in- Mioocorv moumoN tbt chait (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 1.1 ■ 2J itt U£ u IM IM u ■It II 1-25 iu 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.6 j4 /1PPLIED HS/MGE Inc tSS3 Coat Moin Strrti RochMtar. Nm Yofk U609 usA (716) 482 - 0300 - PhocM (71») an -9069 -Fa. 11 .'I THB SPOILERS dignation. "He's a gentleman. It's that cat, Mrs. Champian." He shrugged his shoulders the slightest bit, but it was eloquent, and she noted it. "Oh, I don't mean that he did it intentionally — ^he's too decent a chap for that — but anybody's tongue will wag to a beautiful girl! My lady Malotte is a jealous trick." "Malotte! Who is she?" Helen questioned, curi- ously. He seemed surprised. "I thought every one knew who she is. It's just as well that you don't." "I am sure" Mr. Glenister would not talk of me." There was a pause. "Who is Miss Malotte?" He studied for a moment, while she watched him. What a splendid figure he made in his evening clothes! The cosey room with its shaded lights enhanced his size and strength and rugged outlines. In his eyes was that admiration which women live for. He lifted his bold, handsome face and met her gaze. "I had rather leave that for you to find out, for I'm not much at scandal. I have something more impor- tant to tell you. It's the most important thing I have ever said to you, Helen." It was the first time he had used that name, and she began to tremble, while her eyes sought the door in a panic. She had expected this moment, and yet was not ready. "Not to-night — don't say it now," she managed to articulate. "Yes, this is a good time. If you can't answer, I'll come back to-morrow. I want you to be my wife. I want to give you everything the world offers, and I want to make you happy, girl. There'll be no gossip hereafter — I'll shield you from everything tmpleasant, 174 ■Hi : t\ A MIDNIGHT MESSENGER and if there is anything you want in life, I'll lay it at your feet. I can do it." He lifted his massive arms, and in the set of his strong, square face was the promise that she should have whatever she craved if mortal man could give it to her— love, protection, position, adoration. She stammered uncertainly till the humiliation and chagrin she had suffered this night swept over her again. This town— this crude, half-bom mining-camp — had turned against her, misjudged her cruelly. The women were envious, clacking scandal-mongers, all of them, who would ostracize her and make her life in the Northland a misery, make her an outcast with nothing to sustain her but her own solitary pride. She could picture her future clearly, pitilessly, and see herself standing alone, vilified, harassed in a thousand cutting ways, yet unable to run away, or to explain. She would have to stay and face it, for her life was bound up here during the next few years or so, or as long as her uncle remained a judge. This man would free her. He loved her; he offered her everything. He was bigger than all the rest combined. They were bis playthings, and they knew it. She was not sure that she loved him, but his magnetism was overpower- ing, and her admiration intense. No other man she had ever known compared with him, except Glenister— Bah! The beast! He had insulted her at first; he wronged her now. "Will you be my wife, Helen?" the man repeated softly. She dropped her head, and he strode forward to take her in his arms, then stopped, listening. Some one ran up on the porch and hammered loudly at the I7S ■ W fi- i m i 1 ^ f ■ 1* It ' j , i ii' ■ 6 |! i m If IS ^J mI^ Ml r THE SPOILERS door. McNamara scowled, walked into the hall and flung the portal open, disclosing Struve. ' ""^ Th«rll ?; S^""^'^' ^^^" ^°°^^"« a» over for you Jnf! .1^ ^ f ^"'^ .^° P^y ' " ««^«" sighed with rehef and gathered up her cloak, while the hum of their ofTm/r''^ '". ^"^^^^-^^^y- She was g^en plenty of time to regam her composure before they appeared •• You^et f T. *° '^r^^'^' ""^ ^ '"^^ ^° -t °n<^e. " rat«: if ^* "^y ^® *°° ^ate now. The news we"'.Y::;;rie'"* '.r;'"'* ^"^ y-^'"" otruve. Your horse is saddled at the office B»tf., not wait to change your clothes." ^ eh? Tw'r iT^'^'lr''" «°"" '^*'' »"«''ty deputies, eh?^Thats good. You stay here and find out all "I telephoned out to the Creek for the boys to arm themselv«, and throw out pickets. If you hu,^ Z ^What » the trouble?" Miss Chester inquired, anx- "There's a plot on to attack the mines to-ni»ht " ^swered the lawyer. "The other side are tr^Sg*^ SOK them, and there's apt to be a fight." ^ ••ThTrwSt'^o.S'sh:^*"*'"^-" ^-^ "*^^- ^^"-^ That's just why I must go," said McNamara " I'll come back in the morning, though, and ?d1Se to sel you alone. Good-night!" The^ was a strange „ew hght m hjs eyes as he left her. For one unve^^d i^ woman s ways he played the game surprisingly well 176 A MIDNIGHT MBSSBNGBR Thank you, Mr. ri '^^^'"m^J'''^®'' "*« to-morrow. Glenister," he said to himself work for weeks and ho^ * 7 " ^*^ ^«en at that VignaTe^T/.^' fo^Jd^hevI ^."^ enough to make them thinir »r-' ^^ ^'^ '»«««1 ..ai|to.„ighl';^''ar£rd'^^^^^^^^ ••"ur '^'zi r 'Thfotr""- "r-'o-'^- H!^rsc^~~ tf gt^^LX^t^! iinea tae scheme— I mean when the trouble beean " She wrung her hands "tk.*'. _•. ^ °fsan. before we left &attfe Th»,- ,, T*'** ,"""='* ^^"^ rIM ■•« kJ • '**'"*• That s why I took the risks I aid m bnngmg you those papers I tl,™,„i,l them in time to avoid all thS^ "^''* y°" ^"^ Struve laughed a bit, eying her c«4ousIy. ^^^ Uncle Arthur know about this?" she con- ne^Tht^"ll^:X"rn.-. ^"-^ ^ *- smiM^'^J'^hofetehrthtvLd?" ** "''^" "We think it is o,x:^^Tcz7::^:'^::, she^wr^Ltrnir -* ^-^^ crow/t^^^.^::^: .o:tv^.^^"'rh:rtCirstt: ^tS were constantly happening which^how^' the.e^S K- t" ■f s THB SPOILBIS more back of this great, fierce struggle than she knew It was impossible that injustice had been donHhe was puzzlmg. When she strove to foUow it up her acquaintances adroitly changed the subject. She wL Lldti°^'!f'^l^"- The three local newspaper u^ held the court. She read them carefully, and wm mo«» at sea than ever. There was a disturbing mfdl^^^n^ of alarm and unrest that caused her to feel ii^^e as though standing on hollow ground. "^^ur®. n^i^f' t^^ whole disturbance is caused by those two Only for them we'd be all i.jht." "Who is Miss Malotte?" m^LT^^' ST^^^'- '"^^« handsomest woman m the North, and the most dangerous." In what way ? Who is she ? " f tv.3!i?*"^ *"" '*^ ^^"^ °' ^^^ «h« is-she»8 different fmm other women. She came to Dawson in the e^y thvT;l?l'''°''^7' ^' ^°^ ^^^^ whence oJ why. and we never found out. We woke up one mom- 3 !n ^'^''t '^' ™- ^y '^^^^^ ^« were'^a^rieSoS, and in a week we were most of us drivelling idiots. It rmght have been the mystery or. perhaps, the competi- make a hllf v ' ^^^ '?'^"" ^ dance-hall girl could Zlr^r.TT^y^J'' * "^^^^ °^ "^a'^ a millionaire ZLT^a' ^* '^' "'^"' ^°*^^'^- She toiled not! fn on ^ V^^ 'P'*' °° *^^ ^^'^^^^ fl°««. yet Solomon m all his glory would have looked like a tramp be^de "You say she is dangerous?" of 'oTL^nrrT? *^ ^""^ nobleman, in the winter vlllow h • ; i th^^k-fine family and all that-big. yeUow-haired boy. He wanted to marry her. but a 178 A mONIGHT MBSSBNGBR faro-dealer shot him Tho« 4.u n.ou«t«, polic! thTfin^J^ffitlnT. ''°''' "' *■» w« cashiered. She knew he w^ * '*""*• "e but .he didn't seem to 1~ T/'u* *° •"' '" her. Yet, with it all.ThTis th^tr?'' *""* ""* "fers. th. most tender-h^^rted XTT ^f^"" '"«' •stew bum' on the y^^^L "^'7\'''* ■•" 'ed every prospector in .het^n:';^"',!',^^ » J"»»^ for she has grubstaked do«nsT h^ 'T ''^*"- nbly in love with her mvs«If v.. T. i "** ''°'- ..Ty^atdoyoumean?" withtu?v'y. a'rd"c:rg I'atk'Th^ *° """» " — spring break-up. I WM„'t ,L T' ^"S"" ■" the Glenister got her asho« .^ \"' '"'* " ^«"' *«» would tackle the ^ Th^t°'' "^"^ ''°^y «"»e down-strean, "thii^JiLTo- ..'''"''*^ ^"^ ■""*» ."What happened thenr ^°"' ^' ™»«eeded." "AnS 'if" '" '?.* ""h hi", of course." .ouJU^---f^-ad^as.^ ««. brhet:rw"i^ri d.^^;.te?^j'r - i-ir:v:Sed'Twtrr ••H -^y^^" saying her." ®- ^^® P*^^ ^m back for "1 haven't heard about it." seen that 'turn,' for they sav th. ^^ *° ^*^® terrific. She was keeping^^L and T.T"*. ^^ slammed her case-keeopr cW ' / J^ ** *^® ^^ish cr case jceeper shut and declared the bet 179 ;l: ii\ THB SPOILfilS M I ^l^''^pSt, W "^d* i: "■■•*»'"• 0* ««« they • -^C^r^;:;; s-h"^ -^« ^U «, G,«u.t. . ureses I Ugh I I h^t^W'^' ''*'"*"'»• '"vent: ever come here?" *' ' *«*» iti Why did I They ^e all^t al^wt £?»!!! T''^ "•» """fy. women like you that t.^ ,f '" *■"' y"'- But it fa You can help „s a lot " Sh! 1°? "*«'• >«»» Helen was looking at her inj «m^il"L°°* «''• *>•« "ay he "P-staire ani asleep ""'"'^'ed that her uncle was 1 am' y^\Tr^T *° «^"^ «»« »«". f- if, Ute and Wmo«:':heet:;2ilfeVr'«. ». after letting wearily up to her ^Z^ 'gt ^'* ""^ t"«8«'» herseK ments and threw ovS her h- t. *^ ""* <»»ter ga^ rf -"any flounces a^.^^ildeS,.'"™"*" " "'K^S^ As she took down her ha^wS'^r*;'"^ '~»^«»- M^otte returned to her tom^,"' ^* '*°'y °' ^heny had saved her life also at n^*"^^'^- «» G'e-isS ve^r gallant cavalier he w^ It ^' "T"" ^»t a hear a coat of mZ^^^'J° ^ »»'»' He should and a fainting m^en"T^°°'.*° *™ed knight handsome onL^sCld b^Z'L^''' » distreT I&, ^*^ °° his shield. A maMIGBT aBSSBNGBIt death dragging at hta hee" *'^?iafa !tmn?'''V^''' he had At thi. she hli..i,2i """a ''"""S embrace that while .he wi m,^t^ and reahzed with a shock fighting '>.»d't:h.„'"di:"t"hVd*'aVtaS:o7a'' "«'' ^ gorge with the man she w« going to^al^ '"°^*«^- and the s ck old man «tl^ ^ *^® *'«8«^y abroad thought, a, she unchain^^^'^o^'" "^^.m.™, d,e sw^ngtd:':rn"fthe'c:!;d/1 back amazed while it teredinthe4ht.ir "^^V^"' <«'ke'ed and sput- and deterainrf hts Uft lvT**"*°°^ there, grim "I don't understand." i8i 111 lu TBB SPOILBIS color OM o« of her fi, ^°" her bown. .„d th, they both looked up to^Td« tS""* ".°'" •'»^« pvertheb.ni.ter. JUhZCS^^^,,'^^''' •nj-gown and now miooed «???? ^^" " • <"«"- •yot were widewfth ^ ^k"" ?'" "' P"**y •"<> hie 'rom rieep. Ii^Ut^^"l ^"^ «"<> "wollen ^p^^ r up. moved m « vain endeavor to It I CHAPTER XV VIOILANTBt 0?.!^J^L'^ "* "P^* «" «•» Northern. mamiold experiences .eemed distent and unreal At breakfast he wm ashamed to tell Dextry TtU mm^ bling debauch, for he had dealt treach«2usly ^tMh^ old man m rfaiking haKof the mine. evenTh^h the? bad agreed that either might do as he chose^th l2 totewst. regardless of the other. It all seemrf Uke a nightmare, those tense momenu when he lay above the receiver-, office and felt his belief in the ine w^ t^t t '^'^ r"*'""- «■"•««»''»« I'M for ptay that poTOSsed him later. This lapse was the last stand of hts old, untamed instincts. ThVemben of revouln him were dead. Ho felt that he would neveT^ ^t r hS^t^"""' *•»» "^ «-"- -« ~- Dextry spoke. "We had a meeting of the 'Stran- glers- last night." He always spoke of the VigiuS^ m that way, because of his early Western training. What was done?" * ••They decided to act quick and do any odd jobs of lynchm', claim- jumpin'. or such as needs doin' 183 ll THB SPOILBIS MM- bunch wii.'s^ u:s'^;'^L^::^«*r''' *• *•>• nwp next." ^^ * «»"«*'U wipe them off ;;'«*^ bound to come to thi,." "Good Ho2T '^'' »» «w minee." '"' only tek«> mi JuhZ ^^ """'*' down.wd th«t it would «*S mlL^ "^ •"«'' " "Proor »"» to .tep in; heTTu^MI^" l"" «°^«"- •o?«hin« With the Cl"cmuSu,^".?^*~ *" "» cu/o^ *c,rS*„o"'J^™;„ il^'^'r? «*<»•* «« '«" I)e8..hooter-^. 1??!! ° ""wouM for • boy with . «n' clean out t^bZh ift *'^' "'"^ better go in "A doctor? What for?" ^•*^°«*o»"-" medical purposes " ^ ^ **' "^^^X ««ed for not^!:t^T;o7vrblenlS^^^^^^^ ^^ ^'^'^^ ^--I that is, hard for^ou!^ ^ ^"^^^ ^^"^ <>' J^te- The old man shook his head "v«„. It am't hard for me " ^°" '® mistaken. ▼IGILAlfTfiS to ipMlc With him «nh!S h *" »''"'««» •"• detii; ,.Iv. known th»t for . long time." through her IV. got^aTn^ ^^ ""'. *» "''»• •»<« h.v.«-t .pott«J thein' Jr The^r i^,*""-' »«» ' nvet' men mottlv_r.mn.».. / ^ °^ onee— 'up. growing cIoM and desperate To ' 'J"* Jf"™ »•« which nt on the ouS. of th. ? .^ '''* "•>"' followed one of the plank walk! IT' *" °«»»"ily the confusion of tenu m.Zt ^'"^ """""^ through l-ck of the two p^c • T^°r?' •■«»»«'«'» lytag Th» part of the d?y wi. „^ ?.^"« *"?• "««■• '"« Mock., for in the rariyTSh 1 fil""* '" "ctangular whatever pieces of grTnd th.v /"'"i''' ^ '^'^ erected thereon some S^d of t^L """^ """"^ "-l their titles. There 4u ff, J •^'''^■"«» to make good cabins, and sheds ^^^^^^^ t"""" '""'"« <" ^^ quite unlighted. aS?^. u "? "?» "««*» and portion of the town fooM Vh" J *J""« "^ illuminated Glenister knew his r™^? ""' ^"'»«' intensified, walked it birndfold^ "Zrinr" *""* "• ~"" "^ve house this evening he relf^h* 'f°^" "^ ">« ware- 185 I |! I i > I i ' i III,;, I THB SPOILERS the waU at his elbow and saw th« ««.«,- revolver-shot. The man hVl u?^ ®P^ ^^ a building and wJsocbL that itT'^-S^- ^^^"^ *^« miss. Glenister fell Wit ul^^^ thought flashed over W^ Vom" '' ''^l ^"^ '^^ shot me." ^' ^^Namara's thugs have His assailant leaped out from hi« hiA: had startled him so that he had bs^W^K*. ''*'""^' upon the wet boards and f^.i? ''2>''"«^«' '"PPed r5fh:^,:siHr^.r^t:2 game is that far aloL w ' Jl ^ *• "**" '"'* ">« we-n go to the mrt^th theJ^ T u """« "''«' the aige on us no:! T^f^^^ti ^^IT^Z?"' you away ? I don't believe it's thV™ If I """"S is, you'd better be caref^^ you'U ^g^^^. ""^^^ '* buppose we come home together aff«i. ^t,- » t> suggested, and they arranged fo do .n t '•'' ^°5^ danger lurked in the d^S^corners an^ '^^' some such lonelv soot fhJ!^l, . *^** '* ^^s in again. rH.Xle:^c:^l t'^j;:^^^^'^^^ on near,ng their cabin one night the ^ef^' io6 VIGILANTES though «»,e oneC st^ at^f °' *f "»<i™. « for hta, then became friXt^ at tltTwlT ""*"« proachine. Dextrv hoH -~. u °* '"^ figures ap- Glenister was7m »e hL°. .''^'^ !'• "owever. and him the uncanny~g tK™'"i*r"*<"°8'^* scrupulous force was bent nn l !■ ''^♦'""ined, un- tem.«edtogonrhe^l:^«.<'«*™=«<»- «* "- bu^e^T;Sg the^n-'orrl """^ '"'^ «■"» "« o'clock. The oMmtaerhu^t^^^h •"=*"•* '" «•»»' *»■> »g. Kt a cigamte S^d defpl^ ^? ~" '5'°" 'P"''- of smoke, began : "^^P'y - then, amid mouthfub repeated." '^ ' "'' «"np''ment I don't aim to ha" Glenister questioned him eagerly yonder, a man h?pM oTt an th"' 'T'^'-P''* ^"^ m nose. He was JSck^r th , T*^ * 8**' ""der my skelp into tK w4l w!!^''i' ""<» »«" "owed then be dropped his^Jee^ ani^id' "'^ "'^ ' '«' ::c^^d~s:e w"h: z.^r'^ ^ ^^^■" Sure. Guess." "I can't." ;;it was the Bronco Kid." after^el" '"'^''''''^ ^^^-^*-- "^o you think he', "He ain't afternobodvekp ««» * i -» sot nothin . to do wi^^ tC^T^^^i::^^^. 187 ' I II ;& m !:|Hk i; 'i. ■ 1; ]Hi ' THE SPOILBIS ' «™^^ H.'. too game for that. Th««-, ««, «h„ nilJ^arr N^nSr """■ °«»^ "-O -»^ of th. ^_^^ «UB any lavors, Glemster remarked, cyni- gambler." ^ *=""'" '«><=«> hire than that had vanished c^mS^frZ v't*" ^~*' "^^ *"• ^^ in his gambling-hSl at V,ii^ ' ''*"?*'• «« '« »»» of the dance at th"ho "l wK'^r °^ l^' '^"^"^ Of the Vigilantes. who'i^SX""^*""^™' •'^t*J^i^g1^** «--«-«'"■ Something iC>^r^^hl^r^i* *' ^"^ °'^~''- you knew aboS^ ' *^°^- ^ ™PPosed. of coune. P^bablyT^eir" rH'^'" '^ ^'^- "I«'» Togelrthe7^the"„?:er":^h:^*r-" . part of town and knocked «V^^.^ ?* *'*^*«»**^ lighted warehouse fc^k^bv . v tf 1* '*^«' """ buading faced tte^tw^^'','~*^'*°<=«- The three sfdes ^yZ'':^^rj^Z^--^ot^ "^theTxr:^*St?ir''r '-^^ ^-^ i8q VIGILANTES the rear room, where they wer« A^mi** a compartment had been fitt^ * 1"'*^*^ *«*«' This of perishable eoods durinl iT VJ"^ ^^^ ^*"n storage without windo^'^aTe f^^^^ 7''''^^'' «"<^' ^l gatherings. *° ''*®*^ P^*c« for clandestine Glenister was astonished fn fi«^ organization pr«ent, Sing ^^,^'2:^".°' *^ posed to have gone home .n if "*''?'''• "''om he sup- discussion had'b:^i";^"'j»!!'»- Evidently'; presiding, and the boxes w°^;i: ? '='>«'™«n was been shoved back airaW «,? " « t '"''*' °^ 80ods had were ranged the tCo« J^" i^Tr"."- ^-^hese their serious faci S^ " 5 *''* "Stranglers." lanterns. A ceS ^^«^ • ?P*-'**"'>' ^y »o«terrf ister-s entrant? the eSan''''*^ *''?" "^ ^I^ was but momenta,^'! howeTef oTen^'^'T!^- I* that tragedy was inth,7wV' ■ °!«"»*er himself felt attit„des%nd^^kX " ilv J^ "^^^ " "" "»'' He was about to quStiel ^'^'*'^«* '«<=«• the presiding ^^ZZZ"'"' ""* *° "^ """• o-c.l'"tT5:rm:!;:;rtrv!^'^'''.-««™atone do anyth.„g to sc^e'tCteCa^" "°* *° *»"' " ».srri^ou;"^,r%'t;i'%?»^- » ^ tor business. howev^aTd I wfntt'w' ?^°"'^ "™* ask what is on foot ?" to be m it. May I mod^:::'"„lL,s?r^rset:' "^^. ^ ^^ ^^ and act ouieklv w. i. . ''*''* decided to act source anTnow we^ «^^*''\*'"***' ^"^ '*««««- robber, in ou° own way ^w! ^^"^ °"' *» «««« »« ^-. divide into thrgrot':?S?e^r.f« tS 189 ) ! ;|H|; JiB; ;,! • JffKiF ' 1 I ; 1(1 m^ if [ ll 1 1 f s^flHK 31 ^^^^H^BV t THB SPOILBKS from this meeting intitu; j,y -i""" "^ ^ "" <»»'"«» spokesman for thei^ri[-,,.«;«,i..^» ""^^^ " "W?'^„^ ***?•" '"'' *°«' a^-nd the room est. Now tte^tn'^?" ?'™. *?"* y°" partner's inter- affair, o7theS.tr^e » "''• '^*^^' " ** and we thought Srsim;>t.Y " ^"^^ *" ^° J'"**'*. this mattersrs^^raara^dZ^c" m every quarter " «^T«.5ion ana hard feeling eh? Well, you we^^^h"* T^flS^k" y'vt ^-^^ ed about my feeHngs for Miss Chesi^^Let ^.1^11 m VIGILANTES jv«.^tf he r.^Sar No rirf %""-«"- ""c'e. for violence of that K,rt-we°il »L ^.? "" > ""* "°" Mafial" "sassmation and the tactics of the One of th^ sT^kT ^' ** "^^^ '°"™''«<1 grudgingly. to be the lastTne to objtt'' *" """^ '^°" "^"t .tS.S''o.S''the.W^ r*" ';""?• D^'^mination was but Stt.L'risnT "famara deserves lynching, one laughed de^elv-3^L M""', °^^ '"'"'"-sonfe house. He's an !h?hr- 5 *''*" ^ * '"»»"> m the and you Zmu^, to J, w r* *° 1^^''^ "P°«^ ««« foUow this <Zi t^L tl "tf ^V*^- " y°" alone." " '*"" *"* "'■"ere. but leave him 1^ e^°l"he°t^^^^^ "^^^« — ^ P-^ed by spoke. We re going to distribute our 191 ^ !"M f. ' I THE SPOILBIS favon «quU." said . man as he left. They w^ «rtu. «ri by what they called justice, «,d he coid Z ^^y thra. The hfe and welfare of the North were in their hMd., « they thought, and the™ w«i not one to b^^ i^«snr "°'"°"' *■" ''»^' •-» "« »» milJ*' *°° J"* '*" ^"'*" discussion, and let me re- mnd you of your promise. You're bound byTven^ obhgat,™, that exists for an honorable man-" ^ th. „il; ''°°,* "^'J' «•»* ru give the snap away I " said ^^f^.""* ' '"° ^o" "«'"" -* '° »»- Still- He followed out into the night to find that Dextty W d«appea,ed, evidently wishing to avoid aigumen? "^t du^g the past few days, and indicaiions of t^S^ff ™2^'"°'*""^'«''t^- He was of an in- tolerant, vrndicfave nature that would go to any len^ forv«jgeance Retribution was part of his ^^^ to i^^J^l u "^V"* y°™8 "»» '°°1'«1 't W' watch, to find that he had but an hour to determine his course Instmct prompted him to join his friends and to^ the score w,th the men who had injured him so tot^l^ for. measured by standards of the frontier, they we^ pre.tesw.th their lives forfeit. Yet, he could nofcZ^ t^«noetksstep. If only the VigUantes would be c^- ^ n^^^^ exampl^but he knew they would Cd tJSoM ^ r*"' 0* » "Ob is easy to whet and h^ l^f iu' ""=N«n'^ ™«I'l resist, as would Voor- h^!? ., • d'^<=t-''«omey, then there would be bloodshed, not, chaos. The soldiers would be called out and martial Uw declared, the street, would b^ VIGILANTES sldnnish- grounds. The Vigilantes would m«f ♦>, wh.t w<Jjd happ^ SZSe^;'' "" «*' °f the ring. „d with himself. He felt th.tK. v • ' ""* "«»«'«<» tween hi, loyalty to I v^utrJS"?-^^'' •*- science. The mrl wm Z,,^ ""*.'"' ""^ «»- •he bad 8=hM,Kh tCn f *^ «»»8' h* ""oned- love, and shHi^^SgX^he^nT '"».»'"?»«•' •>» whom he hated vrith fMaWcL fiT °'^" u ' ''°"'' think of her in this hoT? ai ^th.T'Vu''"'*' "• have looked with jealo", ey« „^n ^L • ^k*"* ^"^ the Vigilantes, but thLchS^S th^tK ^ "^'" *° '*»<' -whatwasitj Notc^wa^.S^Snorla^^cTNo"'^™ Jl^K '««'PbIe. it was none ihe C Ck^ a, W ' fn^ds had shown him an hour since ' " ^" tie sbpped out into the nieht Th. ™«k • i . away down the street, he returned to ?he front T IS^ W and, mooting the steps, knock^ sh^l°' ^ The girl's hair lay upon her neck and shoulder, in '93 m It TBB SPOILBIS «™WKng With the pallor oMto^y""'" "^ °«^'y «. «>«ly strained by the ev" ^M tt ^ w«k 7^' co»f°4h me"^. '"'''^ "'"' y°»- J"*' IT", and ;; Whatoutrage is this. Mr. Glenister?- to »v:^^'^c^ort:'"4r^'•s'.''■^~™ patiently. "^ ^8^- «• >Poke im- .yes™^G^i^t"-sa„"'S*htt';t'^'^ "" "I don't understand tlS«,^SvT^*°° °**"~- madi" wailed thejudee "yIT ,7' ^^ '"•"* *» Mr. Glenister, a.,d teU V«rhe^ toT ""'^ *°. **" J"'' •■Hold on,^^'i^^,-r^~ -^^ 194 " SHE STEPPED BACK AGAINST THE WA,X. HER WONDROUS DEEP. GRAY EYES WIDE AND TROUBLED .T'"''^*^"^' I< I TI6ILANTBS wlli!:::*^.^ •« cut; »nd I won-t notify Voor- a^*^ *•****« ^' *»»«»»"• I came trhelp y^ jnd^if^ycm w«.t to -cap. you'U .top l^Zi t«^/°"} l«ow what to do," wid StiUman, to« bv terror and indecision. "You wouldn't huriar^M man, would you? Wait! I'll hl^l^ • ."* ***** n« m^^^M^ 7^ 1 11 oe down m a minute." He tcrambled up the .tair., tripping on Trobe Qhl^l^ ^"*'^* ^'***^' You mustn't run awav'* ^ ^/;^?""^h'^""^ii- "You :'o::,d??i ««, would you? Thi» u our house. You ni>na«.f Ltt^^f""* *!•• dignity of th. gove.Zn"'^ Th":^™'^:; ™L^ith^- "rir^"'"- «t Norn.. You do» Wi ArTh^'^i.'^Si.^ ^X^^' «^ to wip. out McNSnll?.'',^^ ••hlw°'l''°"..'°' '"*'■ «^ intentions," die said but we have done nothing to run away f,^ wl W.U get ready to meet these cowards. Yiu hS^b«tt« go or they will find you here " "O" I>«<1 better ^th men felt the impossibility of thwarting W Pausing at the top. she turned and looked do^ ''''• ^e^^a^re g^teful for your efforts Just the 'same. " Oh, I'm not going," said the young man. " If you I9S I -«#i lii ^M SPOILBis ffck ru do the lama M u r°*f have to ,,^ J^^J»»j^^^ ht uw tut hj *«•»" the hbdUmI o^ u ^^»-T.^.rc: •^s.'' ->- «.».»,.. »^ "«y «jch the g,ST "•*""•*«•«• th«i Me did u djncted uinn. k„ . *««t the sweet icsr f «/ v ^* OMide etch ofth«* •f^. fo,»« that Zwu «^k"?°* "^ «««*^ «*•» h« loved her tiSt «^ !f ^."^ '• '<"»« el] «Z *nd he stooped to catch her w? *^*** *^^a«l« Wm tunes her breath t^Jll whispered words. At ^h Closed hi. i^t^l^fy" ZT^ ^» cheek,td"Se Y^ Out m the night a wolf. ▼I6ILANTBS dof Middcned th« air, then came the eound of othen wranjhng and taarling in • new-by corral. Thii ii a ^len land and no cockcrow breaks the midnight 5^1,. V. •?■»*«>»« enhanced the Judge'i perturba- S^1"h^ chattering teeth «>ttndil Uke SZS. MOW and then he groaned. TTie watchm had loet track of time when their S^hi^ ** ^^ ^^"^ materialiiing out of h.l'J^*!r ~"*'" ^"■P««l Gleniiter, forcing her bwk from the aperture; but the would not be denied and returned to hit tide. M the forenaoit figurei reached the gate, Roy leaned forth Md tpoke, not loudly, but in tones that sliced *'*!J2*? ***• "^T*' •^•'P' *^^*^' •«<* ^*ho«t warning. Halt! Don't come inside the fence." There was an mstants confusion; then, before the men beneath "TW. ^p**" ^^ "" *'^? •^***°' ^« continued: This IS Roy Glenister talking. I told you not to molest these people and I warn you again. We're ready for you." ^ -• ^e leader spoke. "You're a traitor, Glenister." fii:\iT''!^- "P^'^^P* I *m. You betrayed me &Bt, though; and, traitor or not. you can't come into this house." There was a murmur at this, and some one said: Miss Chester is safe. AU we want is the Judge. We won t hang him, not if he'U wear this suit we brought along. He needn't be afraid. Tar is good for the skin." "Oh, my GodI" groaned the Umb of the law. Suddenly a man came running down the planked pavement and into the group. »97 - * r (J i I THB SFOILBas then the leader growteTJv »°»*"' » 'ilence, and ™»h the hou«, C " He „• IS"?'- "*="«*' °« "d «n the vrindow ^^This k v^** "" ''°'« *° the man t.«.coat." His folto4 1°," '^"'-5'°'' "l"™^ Wt, vaulted the fenc^^d ^^"^^^ *° ^^^t and the walls. The c&?'ea-ct 1?*^?' '."*° *•■* shelter of »«??ed through th.r^^lafZ'"'' ^"=''«*'«' on him. He wondered !fh.,i'? ^**' 'tood out could «a.Iy fi„ or^^^r"»° *"" ^- « he mu«:les would nit witter^,S "f "'""Jered -f his obeyed his command P"*'y" before they Helen crowdeH noo* v opening, calledloudi? W v?"' '^""» "»" out of the „ " WaitI Wait a mom«t Th"°^'"« *" and true? Mr- Glenistcr didnwrihl S.?""*"''''^ *» say. were going to attack ThTJ;!^' J^''*'' "nought you there befo,* nM^nTTJ^^ '° '"^^ ^^^ ou? really They left houn ae^ ^n"^ J"*" ">* truth, »he had made, and they reX.ize^ hT. *''* ^"^ ='«» There were uncertai ^rf • ""^ '° » °>an. ?»n raised his voS LTb *""«' '^'°' «" a new Dextry. ''°"*- ^°* ^oy and Helen recognS p>^K:^:.rrrt Z'^'T'^'^^'^-f^- has to do what he's toTd Ind rl , ""'f"t.''P y°"d*' to-one midnight work Iwl- .^ *^ '" *■>« twenty- some whisperings. Xn th? S!S 'r'"" Y"""* ''^e you thi| time. Judge, but you've ^!i■ VIGILANTES gone far enough. We'll give you another chance, then. It you don t make good. we'U stretch you to a lampi post. Take this as a warning." ^ ^I— s-shall do my d-d-duty." said the Judge. The men disappeared into the darkness, and when they had gone Glenister closed the window, pulled down the shades, and lighted a lamp. He knew by how nar- row a margm a tragedy had been averted. If he had fired on these men his shot would have kindled a feud which would have consumed every vestige of the court crowd and himself among them. He would have fallen under a false banner, and his life would not have reached to the next sunset. Perhaps it was forfeit now-he could not tell. The Vigilantes would probably look upon his part as traitorous; and, at the very least, he had cut himself off from their support, the only sup- port the Northland offered him. Henceforth he was a renegade, a pariah, hated aUke by both factions. Ke purposely avoided sight of StiUman and turned his back when the Judge extended his hand with expressions of gratitude. His work was done and he wished to leave this house. Helen followed him down to the door and as he opened it, laid her hand upon his sleeve "Words are feeble things, and I can never make amends for all you've done for us." ^ "For usr cried Roy, with a* break in his voice. Do you think I sacrificed my honor, betrayed my . ".^'n.v'"®'^ ""y ^^* ^°P«' ostracized myself, for us T This IS the last time I'll trouble you. Perhaps the last time I'll see you. No matter what else you've done however, you've taught me a lesson, and I thank you for It. I have found myself at last. I'm not an Itskimo any longer— I'm a man!" 199 !i|. THB SPOILBKS **«» to me that n^ m. J.f " I w«.t to, „d it «upid. I guew; but w<S^t ^ ""''? '*• I"" '-7 •nd tell it to n,;?" '^ * ^ou come l»ck to^orow McNamara and hi. ,?, ni frfl^ ^J ""^ "^ "V P«T>fe. fnend of their,." h"^° r^^» »* ""e, and Tm no she said, softly: "" '''"^ t*' »*«!» before Sh'^^*TtL'^"essyo„-«e„,,. jnd for a long i^l^t^'Zl^ ".'^'^''''^ ««•• he were a child. She tmSlw^* •""" though the things which lay ' ZS!^»''*°^''"*'«°° him aboSt tWs night had half U^w'L " °^0 '»«J »hich Stated at the mention ofrnto^ t^T^ ^"^ -»<» l>«>de his bed till he dozJd ^ff ^ T""«- ^he sat wl»t lay behind the hiate^ef^'^"^« *° "'^"'ver "fd body matched in aS<rfute ,« ^' "^ ^ '"^ of the day's exdtemenVZ^ ST^f- '^'" ««« oo»ld barely creep to htt^?l,?u '*l*°«th tiU she and ^fehed-toHi,^ toXT^ • """ *« ""'ed finaUy. with one i<TrZ^m^^^, ^"^ «-»'« obUvion took her. A sen3^„ °" «»nplete alm^s^^ " ^^^HhT^'^C^ralZ'-^* i,:.- CHAPTER XVI IN WHICH THE TRUT i BEGINS TO BAM ITtELF IIwIS tTS^Z? u M^* °'^* ^*y ^^«^ Helen fV!^i!i, ^ *^** McNamara had ridden in from He had asked for her, but on hearing the tale of the night's adventure would not allow her%o be ^st^b^ MtkolTt *^' {^^^' '"' ^°"« '^^y together Although herjudgment approved the step she had contemplated the night before, still the girf now feS a strange reluctance to meet McNamara. It is true that she knew no ill of him. except that impUed in t^e aw^.w °^ '''*^^ embittered men; and she was ^"^.^^^^T^^^^^ong and aggressive character makes ^TZT. "*"* PJ°P^rtion to the quaUties which lend him greatness. Nevertheless, she was aware of an who so confidently believed that she would marry ^ did not dommate her consciousness. She had ridden much of late, taking long, soUtarv gallops beside the shimmering sea that she loved 2 t^^H^^'^^' °^ ^^'^^ ^^t«« ^^ S^nted the flash of shovel blades^ This morning her hoi^e was W. w l^kt?!S^r^V*^- I°^«- early rambles she his iooked timidly wkance at the .ough men she met tiU aoi '. i 1 ) T^^ 1 '' I 1 \l 1 .1 1 1 'r.>i mm iM: ifl .>;™^^ ity i ^ cflH '■' m THE SPOILfilS ?^ ^^el^'^tl -P~* «" court-,. bred, although!?^ critf»r*" °'**° ~"«g«- So she was glad riii^ consideration for a woman, the fine f!td^ Zp^ tvtT *" *"" *° "«' '^'h wide spaces. The^ZLSl k T "^^^ "■«» '«» own. °* '^'"™c« t>«**> 8 chivalry aU iu 4'C'to7dT^/°o,'::^%^"'«" ?b".d. though city, explaining thaHL hS weft^Tff "J """»«* *« the thick-coated sha^ "I ?***'*' t^^erfully land of the do^^d wlSLj'^^'~*»- This i, the bor and sbiv^CA^^ " '™'**' ^ '°* « to la- ^wsfa,and.?^S'^ti;:s:rrt''' "•^•'^''*'- co^^5J^,^rrtfiiS7»^»''- ^ ""^^^ ing any of tihe wom» she^2 t '^ *° r™"^ "cet- memoryof theniXw^ knew, because of that vivid Looking up, she not*»H fi,o* j* , ^^ behind her. ter and thS ;t o^^l'" V°"«>y- ""^ q«ar- distance awav A fV»!^ /*?* '** " "onian some c«md-mZ'^p,ln4"<;^"fe' on the shouts re- ed. Glancine back ,1,. .. ' ""* " ^^'l^ct sound- bearing a smf^gi^vT^riT"^'" running, one snarling hubbub Stto^'^^ T*' T"' ^"'' ** curiosity became So^r for ^L tj^'f^ '^' P"-''* dogs made a suddenrt^wf \ *.'**^' o"* of the P»upof animab^^^^'^'' *1"°: subdued K^o'-sr^ooti^tT ^^^^--^^^^^ -•.thes^^-^-^ted^-eawo^. 303 IHJ THB TRUTH BEGINS TO BAKB ITSBLP trotted, the motion flecking foam and slaver The creature had scattered the pack, and now, swiit, men- acmg, relentless, was coming towards Helen There was no shelter near, no fence, no house, save the distant w«t tI ""^'"^ *^/ ""^^^^ ^°"^" ^^ making her way. The men, too far away to protect her, shouted hoarse wammgs. "««« Helen d^'' not scream nor hesitate--she turned and ran, terror-stricken, towards the distant cottage. She was blind with fright and felt an utter certainty that the dog would attack her before she could reach safety y?"iif '^ "?" *,^® '^'^''^ P^"^^ °^ ^^ pads close up behmd her; her knees weakened; the sheltering door was yet some yards away. But a horse, tethered near i.!7 t; ""^^'^ *"^ '''°'*^ ^ *^« flyi"? pair drew near. The mad creature swerved, leaped at the horse's legs, and snapped in fury. Badly frightened at this attack, the horse lunged at his halter, broke it and galloped away; but the delay had served for Helen *Tlf°t. ^'''*' *° '^^^^ *^^ ^°°^- She wrenched at the knob. It was locked. As she turned hopelessly away she saw that the other woman was directly be- hind her, and was. in her turn, awaiting the mad ani- W ''^^*' ^""^ "^^y' * ^'^y revolver in her Tu ^'l??* ' " ^^'^^^^ Helen. " Why don't you shoot ? " The httle gun spoke, and the dog spun around, snarling and yelpmg. The woman fired several times more be- "Li .!^i '*'"' ^"^ *^^^ remarked, calmly, as she broke the weapon and ejected the shells: The calibre is too small to be good for much." Helen sank down upon the steps. »4 ao3 = 1 1: ■i i i- I ■ 1- TRB SFOILfilS " How well you shoot I " she ga»nmA w^ turned to Helen "" *°* wonum tWng, that ^L wTt^.^*tiT*y- 'T*-^' The hostess had steiW bS^rf ""^ ''°™- « ^stant and w.^'T^^r hHoTr-n^ one kind won^rNo^. ^*^ '"" *°"^ *^ w«IJ°"''* T'' 8°°'*'" *e answered: "but I'm .II Ty:.7^.i:v^'i'j:r^- > - -de*:!! ^ Motion as sr^iaced^^'t^^ ^r^K 904 THB TIOTH BBGtNS TO BAIB ITSBLP "Oh— !'• Helen exclaimed, then paused as it flashed over her who this girl was. She looked Terqu^u^ fuf;!? ♦h / ""f ""^^^^ '^^''' *^« woman beauti: ful with that smile. The revelation came with a shock " tJ* T^' ^'^'"'^ *° "^^ ^«' confusion. ' «v J^f ? ^°^'? "'"'''^ ^°'' y^ Wndncss. I'm quite myself now and I must go." ^ Her chwige of face could not escape the quick oer- Srr ^'Cest^h"'^ experiencTin the's'K m/rtS' f w u.?*^"''* "''°*^'' C^«"y Malotte had rn^fiu'''*' h''°"^^"* ^^"^«« in other woi^ '^^,^^\'^^'^''^^^^^^^orstoiall ShebetmyS ^rtTfi^^'?'' r' * ^^^'^"^ °^ *!»« eyes and a certam fixity of smile as she answered : ^^ *°" * Sh. n^li/'^.r'^^ '**y ^°*^^ y°^ ^'^ «sted. Miss-" She paused with out-stretched hand. «5«ii^ . ''•. ^y ^*°^e is Helen Chester. I'm Judge C^ mT!; ^^'^ *^" °*^«^' ^ embarrassS She?^ghfjC^,.^^''"^'-^^^--^«^y-'" wav "I'l!*"' • ? ^°'* ^f ^°^- " ^'"^ «°"y you feel that way. she said. oooUy. " I appreciate yoi service to um ? °^°^®^ towards the door. Wait a moment. I want to talk to you." Then ^O^r l^^ °? ^^' *^" ^°°^ ^^t O'^t. bitter^: uSl'Mrl^ ^T^^ ^ ^^^ y°^ *«^ comn^tting L unpardonable sm by talking to me. but no one wiU Ji you. and in your code the crime lies in bei^g S^o^t^ Iff 1 ■ 'li i 1 : ] t 1 THfe' SPOILBIS however, that. b2 uTtr V V^l""' J'"" *» ""O". I'm loyal to thMTtUtlito mf ^ ^i*? *'^ y°"' 'o^ ttends." * '"" "•• ""<J I don't betray my coldly"""'* ^"^^ *° "»<>"»t«0 you," ..id Helen. Of':^t-,Zr'AL W 'or"T t-^" '»■»->"• She rtepped ta tont rf h!i^^ ?" * P'*'' '» »** me." »8ain«^d<^r wMe w J"'*"'- f!»=^ ''" back ing. •• The little swtil^H^ '?' "**" ""' "'<«k- to a privilege. I ,S^ l^L^':"" J"?' '«"' entitle, me t««e of it to t^II vTw'k J^ " ^'""^ *° *»•«> «dvan. fuUyrudeof me!i,n^ rt?''1i^'^:~^."»»'' «*»• D«»d- «ooks. and I adX thL wX " " 7"" » ««• lot of of the dirty wo7k but .t ^ '"^ "" •*»"« y<>" "hare i^^upe^irt^^^rS'Ss'^^T *« -<>«•- Let me out I" never, deliberately. t.X^*a"lr?"y'. «»<« I hw money." ^^*^ * "**" » hie just for ^ortheU. r'^hf^c^.rxCtTa^;' 3o6 THE TIUTH BBGINS TO BAIB ITSBLP \na\Zr^' y°^'" P*^°" *^» "**»« ^»t of feel- fag-profeMional p,quc. I'm jealous of your ability, that s all. However, now that you realize we're in fil ^JZ .'°"'* *?' '°^ ^" -« he'aTter" "she «,??*" 7?.i^ bewildered and humiliated to make t^elLT h°.V?H ^»<^i°"^^"<l incohei^it attack except the fact that Cherry Malotte accused her of a part in thw conspiracy which every one seemed to believe ex- Mted. Here agam was that hint of corruption which shejmcountered on all sides. This might be merely a womw 8 jealousy-and yet she said Struve had told ^ M »^"Vu-:*^»t a bottle of wine and a pretty face would make the lawyer disclose everything. She couW beheve rt from what she knew and had heard of him w^ ™«i^ ^* '^"^ ^^ ^P^8^ *° ^^^ ^^'^' that she was wrapped m a mysterious woof of secrecy, came tTlL l*fn ".u* ^'^ ^ °^*^" °^ ^*^«- I^ Struve talked to that other woman, why wouldn't he talk FrJif Q*^* ^*T^' ^^"^^"8: her direction towards Front Street revolvmg rapidly in her mind as she went her course of action. Cherry Malotte beheved her to be an actress. Very well-she would prove her judu- ment right. ■' *^ S^ fourd Struve busy in his private office, but he I^ped to IS feet on her entrance and came forward, offering her a chair. ' rn^^r^'^^T^^'^^ ^^^^' Y'^^ ^^^« a fine color, considering the night you passed. The Judge told me a^l about the affair; and let me state that yoX the pluckiest girl I know." ^ ® She smiled grmly at the thought of what made her ao7 i! f Iff TBB SPOILBIS ^Yj»-but not too l«.y to .tt«.d to «,ytbi„, y„„ deUjhted." sKtadwS i^L!**"'; . '■■» ■»<>« «»n ;;^ do you take the fatal .tep?" ,^ What itep do you mean?" ^ rJL^^^^j^^ ^en does it occur? You needn't month io." McNamara told me about it a I thmk you are miat«lrA« u "^"^'y* joldng." ' nustaken. He must have been For some time she 1m1 ui^ ^ . and flippai^h^oT^He S^^. " 1°°"" « h~ new b. lik. this. «, t«tii«S,^ ~^^.*«??^ *' '^ f? "-ddeningly aloof «d diSSt ^^'^^ ff J"* na Speech. ««i«ir. He grew bolder in Jj.'wZtTg:^^^^*'' -'"*• questioned. « Mr. McNan:.™ /„ .C^outhJ^rcTU^SS^^:! !! THB TIUTH BB6INS TO BAIB ITSBLF He looked at her quickly. " In whtt respect ?" sue iummoned up her courage and walked past the ragged edge of uncertainty. t." ^.' <*<»'* y«» t^y to keep me in short dresses, too J^Tor"ir;!!sir.'''^"*'"'°'*'' ^^^"p- "What do you want to know? "he asked, cautiously ,^^X^r ^'^y-^^^lcanheiirwharji^ to'w^; 'XV'J.y^'''' '"*'* '"^ ^y ^y '^*-*- Sherecognised her mistake and continued, hurriedly tI^'I'^^^'*^^ Aren't we aU in thii t^S? Iobjerttob«ngused'indthendi«:anied. It^kPm wtitled to know ho. the scheme is working. Don't you^k I can keep my mouth shut?" ject of their talk; but she arose and leaned against the oSi."^ hun. vowing that she would not lel^thj Office without piercmg some part of this mystery His mwrner strengthcmed her suspicion that there «S some- ^i^"^^ ' .*"• J^ di«iP»ted. brilliant cit^ ^ W ^n!r*r'^°'^^^'y' »°d yet. though swayed uL^/^°'*!:;^*r°***°«^<^^^«i by caution. She leaned forward and smiled at him. . " You're just like the others, aren't you ? You won't give me any satisfaction at all." xouwont oiJ^*''!:*^''*' *'''®'" ^'^ S^™^«' cynically. "That's always the woman's cry. Give me this-^ve me that U^.T 7^y^°°'*y°« offer sometlSg in return M« are; traders, women usure . You are curious, hMce miserable. I can help you. therefore I should 909 Il r ^ li ( 11: sill i TU SPOILBIS t^^iSL*^ y»» "k «. to bmk ay pio,^ •no rtfk my honor on your nnriea W.ii^^!!r woman -Uke, and ru do it rnW -J.Jt ', *^** somr hut !«»_>. J 7, «• ' U put m)rw|( jn your my SUIS * »™»'»y." -h. <««Ad, i„dip«.ti^ -..I, „ condition that yrc^l't^C" """^ »P to «tth . «d, on thX^Zd. ^^'cZ T,!^"'* '""'= tl»m.elv« If Z.^'^*" ""* "»0y to .peak for rose abruptly from his chair H« ™! J^*^ J"l ^* but^ „t«.t«. eo r^'; piL'r';^^ ■"'• tao^.' y^ "•■" -^ fl»n« .t him, ••ti.2^1 •«„, biKr^ai::^.i^/„r:^/.7- ' «~ - tudi^l you. and ru pC^C^hl^TorcS:^; J^« axo ^ TH8 TIOTB BBGINS TO BAIB IT8BLP McNuun nor look your uncle in the eye UII you know the truth. You might do either if you *ii«i them to b.- moto, but you couMn't if you c^ w^S^t- u t|jthe womw When you get Jiy, i^Ck- n«« abihty When they come to in«:ribe my bwS- •tone I hope they can cuve thereon with truth 'H. (ot value received.'" "•"• hum, ne ;| You-« a panther." the said, loathingly. Aa^euonate Md full of play, but with d»rpT«h SffaSL ' '>•"*• «>» "»«'<«« owM no k)yalty to £^S^^^ ""* •""*• '^- Now. wh«, you've foU ti^^ '=^n»P'"cy out and placed the btame when, It Delongi, wont you come and tell me about it? That door lead, mto «, outer hall which open, into the •treet. No one wiU tee you come or go.'' Ai the hurried away she wondered dazedly whv she ta«l .Uyed to listen so tong. What a mons^'e Jali fim day he laui eyes upon her. and he was utterly con' «»enceles.. She had known all thU; and ^l w proud youthful confidence, and in h.; need.W^ho^ ^^t** '^ "'««'*' *° ""ow the trJt^ Ae C Sr^^™'V!™'" "*"• '"'»• Withal, the ^1^ WM shrewd and observant and had divined her m^l ^ fir'.. . ! '^'^ "'"' '"«w that she could never rest t^n she found «. answer to her questions. ^^^ kill thjs smpicion that ate into her so. She tho^ tenderly of her uncle's goodness to her. clung^th aiz (ii-il THE SPOILEIS that lost bn)«l w1^ ° f ""^ ** '*" » dire need of bound herto h?^^koId° r^"" "".** »'™'° that McNamara; but C c^uTh"? T'^l'' '^'^ *» she know of him this^„ *^'P ^"' ^°^ ""oh dM dax^tshadowSh^nerus^l^r '"^ '"'^ *« With Struve.'^Hele^'r^i^'rca.X" T"""*" tions would aUow and decided thti-fC?^'^ " """ *'"°- which pride should figi« ThJ^*" r*' ■"> "l^y » was imperative she d^M ^ '"^ '*='' '''»'='' i' therefoi^a few .Su^7jl r^f "f '"""ediately; was astSsh5°fsee t^hl ,f f v'" *PP«^' "elen bu™ hottestfnd Ce pfltt tl?^ "^'"?- ^^^^ come most seldom ThiT ^^ "^^ "bere they the tumult of ^Ttion *heS? f T^" °''* 8^ her absence, the wtTde^hf J ,f "'"*«'80»e during fathomed. iortCZ^T^^'^}^^':^ ^ bSranT;:i-'''-£i}^»^^! he._^itor24tSy^5Xnt^-;.'-* .tared at haJpJl^^hii^rsarryt^.:: «^-"^ "er- "I When they were inside, Cherry Malott*. «f,^ ^ g^ at her visitor with inscrSb^l'i^^ rtto^^y "It i«.'t easy for me to come b«4." Helen beea» • 12 ' es of lis IS d le THE TIUTH BB6IRS TO BABE ITSELF " *"* •,f''*i'"* ' ^ "• K you c" help m- I ,00. bemg done. I have suspected it. but 1 HM„'t i^ow and Ve been afraid to doubt my own people y^u «ud I had a part in it-that I'd tetrayedZ frierT Wa|t a moment," she hurried on. at the otherV,^cai iu- 7°" * y"" **" »* "hat you know «d^h^ toTni. r*',"* *'^''-<"', they make me afraid to think and yet I can't find the tmth I You see in a struggte hke this, people will make aU sorts of aCat S h'r t^rZot?: ■"'^^ '"^y -^ P-*. «-t my "Is that aU?" "No You said Struve told you the whole schenie I went to him and tried to cajole the story out of Sj M^ She shivered at the memory. nH^i *'''''T' ^'"^ y°'' ^^^® • " ^^^^red the listener oddly curious for all her cold dislike/ *"*«»«•, "Don't ask me. I hate to think of it." Cherry laughed cruelly. " So, failing there you came back to me. back for another favor from the ^S wST ^fl^f^\^^^^^^r, I don't believe a word you';e sa d the rir^'LT '^'^'l!^^- ^ ^^^^ ^° ^^« -ncle and n? I^ r^ T ""^^ '^^* y°"' ^°^ i^^o"" them that 11 2f \ r fu *^' ^'"^^ '°"^^- 'T^^^y tl^ink I know too much, do they ?-so they've sent you to spy ? Well I U make a compact. You play your game and I '11 play mine. Leave Glenister alone and I'll not tell on Mc- r amara. Is it a bargain ?" "Ny, no, noi Can't you jee? That's not it. All I want IS the truth of this thing." " Then go back to Struve and get it. He'U teU you ; ai3 THB SPOILBIS i'jii' B 1 with him. " ">en-now, see what you can do himr;ir'ir;rcLTfi^^f°'r*-»dgiv. partner and give thi otW to wl'V,"" J^" '<»!' ^r hi, return in an hour with tZ. i .? ; ^'^ vanished, to hand. '"* "•* '«'*«■• for Dextry still in his "I don' catch dis feller " i,. , • . f«^ say he gone, <^7Sck ' SS'"""*- ""^°""8 days." °"'' mebbe one, two, leven ''Was there an answer?" Yes, ma'am." ^Well, give it to me." The note read: " Dear Miss Cbsstkd a j* to us both as the An "c^t c^^°° °' * °**"«'- ^ ^«niHar your inclination is du^to^e ^JZ^?7'°'^^ ^ "^^e**- H trouble yourself. We d°on^tTa^t ^'oS pi^* 7^*^ X our servant, "Roy Glbnistbr." W „ the Ust twelve, or elser ^eCa'^'eS 3X4 THE IBOTH BBGINS TO BARB ITSELF the only one who can save us." "What do you mean by that? What a^ ^ • xNamara s announcement officer at the post. td.Tantt hiL'^TSv! soldiere guarding the house hereafter " ' ^_ Why— they won't hurt us—" "Tut, tut! I know what I'm talking about We're Zl^Z ^'T ""V""" ^^"- *"<• « we Xn-t TrLk ^^•~ . '^ "*"" *"""*'" •>* bloodshed-thafs w^t Thq^ re a menace, and they're trying to force me^ff Ig i^ mt's S'hTl*'''' '"' l^- i"t° their":™ hLf agam That s what I want to see you about Th*.v'«» lo^r^J" "^V"'' ^"^ ni^o'kesa^H^ianrwTv^ got to act quick to prevent murder. Now tWs v^^ Glenister ,s one of them, and he knows wh^ihe S^ Do you thmk you could get him to talk?" ^* ^'^• 1 don t thmk I quite understand you," said the ^Vl through whitening Hps. saiatnegirl, "Oh yes, you do. I want the names of the rina leaders, so that I can iail th,^ v ^^^' of that'feUow if Vrt'^" • ^"^ ^ ""^ ■* °"t wa^1?Jr''^v* **■* °'<' "«" » a horror that at fi«t "S THB SPOILfils i;! for Alec, too." He said ^1 i /°''"J!'"*ybe,and stormed at him: ^® ^* "^'^^X. but she "It's infamous I Yot,»«. o.i^-« '"y nmn who saved ^^,^t^ ""L *° ^^t^y the •Meed hi3 life foTM " *"'''• •«»« ««o- He ge;7h™X7te'Vw™';rr'°»- "-'"'"•» feUow, but I wa«? ttTothe^"^?" ""^ «"* ^^ns to do it." '^""eothera. Come, now, youVe got But she said "Nt>" fin.!.. j a long tune starine with iin.«l- ^'' *« »*' for denched in her bp At kL^?^ '^^ ''*' ^''^ tight "I'mafaidifrtme r^!5*^'^r'«'- She remained hid™^ duSnt'^'^ 'i> *™*" pleaded a headaclw wh^M^i" <^"-ho«r, and early evening. Altho^. shf hadZf "^"t? " «» he left her the night before bLri^l ^ /*^ ""^ »i»« wed iim. yet hlw coX^'he mS. v **"* P^''« *" conviction grewing on her h^irTv^..? ""^ "** *• rogue ? She wrestled wSk*?^J *** ""^ "as a master- «cle, her owT^d^lw^^'^K''* that he and her were conspi«t<^ A^d° ^ " *« P»« <>' a father, cold-blooded t^nestZll- ** "^"-y of the Judge's whole being y^Z^^ she should tarn tnrit4s, her that, what other h^^ ^^.'^^^ ^\f *i»? Kke capable of? AU thrionT^l ^ ** °"8''* ■■« "ot be n om. but atlTst^^ T^^Z^'Tf *^ ^«P* "er sareh of Fred f^ ^he Zi * ' ^^^ down-staiis in breakfast ■"' **"""**»*«• "othing since her late Voio« reached her fh». the parlor, .„d „ ^, «„. line Eind she the He n't ng ot er or ht THB TRUTH BBGIlfS TO BA.B ITSELF dfawn curtains ba^S tit , "^ *'"™*'» *• «•<«<>- She rtood toWH^X J""^' "* eavesdropping, plot that cameTw SL"^"':lt''"'!"''8 » *• ^thered up her «kirts'':"i'tX Tc^'i'^T:^' "^estd7ot>t,r^- -^"- ^» ^ .tut"h^tt ^„Tr?i*«'-^^ C°^e2 li^aufste^Ufnto tte tr I?' ""T"^"^ *« "Good-n«ht" at ttie f«,nfii ?""« McNamara's while herlncle slowly m^tS';.,*'/''""**^ "K"" before her chamtrr^^ w?'" ""^ .P*"^ when she did not answeVtTtin^J?^ ?^- "'"'J'' '"'* When he was safely S^Thl^ T.""' °^" "<»»• out. and lockrf theC dJ^'tT*"/? '""**'>'• "*»* key in her b<^ «ront-door behind her, pUcing the "^T^l""' "ghtened though?? ' '* " ""^ """"^ I n be too late. I'M be too late." CHAPTER XVII THB DRIP OF WATER IN THB DARK The air, weight^ l^ a tw-S Iff , '°i"^^°"^- surchaiged with the elLST ^ "^^ °^ ^^^^^^s, was power in leash It ^o» ?? ! tremble at the hint of SomethtorcoM afd hart ™ tt? ^''^I "" ""^"y- her cheek, foreine her h^ IJ^"f J '^?'*"*'y »8ai°st struggled •a„S':^t'*»'"'°'»bruismg her. She remained^ hir ^^ii^'-^" "f, ^^-'y » hand weapon he had ianmrf t„ h.,? "^/^ '""^"^ *he . ■' W.y. Miss Se^f" he Sm '^.f^Pf-^ <='<^e>y- Thats too bad," one^^id. "We mistook you III'' THB DKip OP WAIB» IH thb DARK uncle'. «n.i«rie. haTnot L rh;nH "^ *""* " ^^^ ''" She had overhead the^^deeln^M'M"'^" °'«"»*«- to drjg the town with a fo^ o" d^t^^JS^i^- ^"'"^^ only her two friends but .v.™ _ "^P"""- «o«ng not . Vigilante. T^^^tarwTreT T^ "' "^^ bond, without reason with™^^ ^ ?''*^ '^*'"«<t anism of the coSTwm to ^i , J!J' •'"'* *• ""h- them until faU. if n^^** Sid ""^.n.*" """^ officers were already b^T. i,. .^ ^^ *""* *'"'t the She .ped down tHl^s^Z:^.^ ^ *'°'^ to seek n«^ Zmrthe^oSr/"** ^^ "°* »»>«" hide the m^uA^Zl^^^^Tu "■•'* "^""t against the posse CTToZrth.!!^ ,'*"^* ""■* »'» There was ZyZ^^L^T '"" *""' *° ««»' Theatre. Even Ti,el^\^ ** *' Northern dared not go tte^'h^r^l''"^"'* •"»• '»' *• Jap boy. 4t Si^'^Tno ^e*""^'!^' '"^- "" meant failure. wasted moments Roy had once told her that u^ «- he undertook. Veiv wS sif. t ?!T ^^'^^ "P ^^^t girl may possess dZ^^.'^'^.f^-^ that even a modesty or shrinking inH^° ^'^ ^^^ "° *inie for more closdy abo^T"^^^^^^^^^ tV""^ ^^^'^^^^ into her hands Shemitl "f, *°°^ ^^' ?^ name streets which cast a ?^ T"^/^ *°^^'^^ ^^^ "^^ted sal Cnr:«4.i j**""*^** caim, arose the sound of ramn "«• Swrftly d.e threaded the narrow afle^ to S!^' THE SPOILBIS of the theatre's rear entrance, for the dared not ap- proach from the front. In this way she came into a part of the camp which had Iain hid'len from her until now, and of the existence of which she had never dreamed. The vices of a dty, however horrible, are at least draped scantily by the mantle of convention, but in a great mining-camp they stand naked and without con- cealment. Here there were rows upon rows of criblike houses clustered over tortuous, ill-lighted lanes, like blow-flies swarminfe to an unclean feast. From within came the noise of ribaldry and debauch. Shrill laugh- ter mingled with coarse, maudlin songs, till the clinging night reeked with abominable revehy. The girl saw painted creatxires of every nationality leaning from windows or beckoning from doorways, while drunken men collided with her, barred her course, challenged her, and again and again she was forced to slip from their embraces. At last the high bulk of the theatre building loomed a short distance ahead. Panting and frightened, she tried the door with weak hands, to find it locked. From behind it rose the blare of brass and the sound of singing. She accosted a man who ap- proached her through the narrow alley, but he had cruised from the charted course in search of adventure and was not minded to go in quest of doormen ; rather, he chose to sing a chantey, to the bibulous measures of which he invited her to dance with him, so she slipped away till he had teetered past. He was some long- snoreman in that partictOar epoch of his inebriety where life had no burden save the dissipation of wages. Returning, she pounded on the door, possessed of the sense that the man she sought was here, till at last it aao THB 6R. P OF WATB» IH THB BAKX Z^TLTli '™^ *"• •"■»«•»*• o« • i>irt. of di»^e™, .c.n':^:X„„,^^^^.^«mp^ m her face thrust a .ilver dollar in^S Wl .t ^ »SVr« r«'8i»8 """If into the o%SL He i^' **!?w ,^ «"" ?"" *• d*" clicked to bS h« '^" Well, speak up. The act's closin' " E^3^«„ u Wa«t a minute. There goes the finallv" .nH ^shed away to tend his dro,^ and^^'^' J^ ^lirT^ '" ""^ """ '"^ princSTtad s^S ♦•'^''"Muig-rooms he returned. ^'* ,_a)you know Mr. Glenister?" she asked. 8>ure. I seen hun to-night. Come he™ " u i^ ?" !»™'* the footIights.and puSTg baSTthe SeS aance-haU. She had never pictured a olac liv- *i7 eta" f *« °"'*'«^t««on 4 astoni^S'SiS^^J elega. e. The gallery was formed of a continuoM 3 of compartments with curtained fronte T wS^ and women were talking, drinking, sinX T^^ . on the lower floor were disappearing „d the «t^ rnSTth""!"^ *"^''' *owin'niri;iS>tdtr^ thft Snl;,r'"''°"* "'""K" *»■« "ide folding J^ l^l}f *''*r" S^n'bling-room she heani a W S,"?^^"'"^ ** commencement of Se^W ^f do^ 't *^ T ")P*^°" "•■"« *« ''"tched ■ „. ' '''»' t «e him," said her guide. "You bett«. walk out front and help younelf/^ He inS^t^ 321 THB SPOILBIS •toin which led up to the gtlleried boxei tnd the ttwi WMtog down on to the main floor, but the handed him another coin, begging him to find Glenitter and brine him to her. "Hurry; hurry!" the implored. inJ^'V!^^^r°^*'/***^ ** ^^ curiouily, remark, mg, My I You spend your money Uke it had been left SL?^' J?* " ' "«^' Pic^eck for me. Come around any time. kP*!.^?^"^ ^ • *^'^ «>™«' »nd waited inteimin- ably till her mMsenger appeared at the head of the gaUeiy stain and beckoned to her. As she drew near S* .,'^ ^^^ ^"» ^^ WW a thousand^dollar filly flaggin him from the stage door, but he's got a giouch an wont stir. He's in number seven." She hesitated at which he said, "Go on-you're in right;" then con- tinued, reassuringly: " Say, pal, if he's your white-haired tod, you needn't start no roughhouse, 'cause he don't flirt wit these dames none whatever. Naw! Take it xrom me. She entered the door her counsellor indicated to find Roy loungmg back watching the dancers. He turned ^^^K^^l' " "^*. "^^ ^^ ^«"' 1«P«1 to his teet and jerked the curtains to. •• Helen I What are you doing here ? " "You must go away quickly," she gasped. "They're trying to arrest you." or— ««/ «» "They I Who? Arrest me for what?" last m^h?^ ^""^ ^ men— for riot, or something about know'STt"'^'' ^* '*^'^* "I h*d no pait in it. You vJiTf^' y^*-^*/^"'!* a Vigilante, and they're after you and aU your fnends. Your house is guarded and ass THB DftIF OP WATBt III THB DAKK £l !TJ; •"'^ "^^^ *^*^"- They've planned to aII Tf! °" JS*™* P'«*«* <«• other and hold vou^in! defii^tely Plea«» go before it't too U^/' ^ ^ How do you know thit?" he asked, navelv ;;ioyerheaid them plotting." ' ^'^^' Who?" " Uncle Arthur and Mr. McNamara." She faced him J'.?' S?*™;- J "ouM have done the nme for Da- ABm^-f, T*^*- ^ ■» •'one. I g»ess. I heart ^^epr^»^•^r^:c^s..^ S^^hX'S^eJ^'"'*'-''*^*"'-"^'"^ 2L^J?. •!^i?t' "^^ ""^ "<»•• »»<1 you ondl nmrt Stop ,t. I have seen the truth at tost, and W™ in the nght Please hide for a time at lirtT ' «-.: tLY^L "X°" ■"'* *«'«° ""1" with us there's ;^0P.^I5 Thanlc you for the risk you nTin* w^'J^^^^^^"^ ?' *• companment ««i "Toolatel Toototel There they are. Don't oart the curtains. They'U see you." •«nipart PMhing through the gambUng-haU were Voorhees ^iZ ?*""• rr^'y " <!»«" °f •<»«•« one Run down the back stain," she breathed, and TBB tPOILBIS more wtiting « the foot " hJuIi^ ^ •*• *•"" the offlcen h«l «,^ .x. '*'*' *** *» 8n«> that th.°^J:;XS-^,^T; '">• into hi. .y« cm. •o that you can e^ ta tl?'* '^ "l"* " *« "^<»o™ firing rtip. «.d Sr,^d ^tt^*!^""^:. ^'^ »"' «» the knob when di< ^t S^^hi "" ^P^ ^ <» "Thejr'U Ida you. W.ftTVJ^'^'? **»"''>'= Jump." She di»md him .„ .u f • ' •***«■ ^7- P"^ .ride tt?^lS^*°..n'j^*°/ *•«>?«•<'« won't tee you till it7?So late ^J'*'' ""^ ^^^ through the crowd." Then you can run in te'ra^'tid folS"^' Jl!''^* ■"• '"?<» back Iowe«d hiSdowL^i°l*/.i«^«« t°" "^ «nd unhedtatingly andTta^w'^fT- Henrangout twice the height of. »a?^read ^^^eTo^f'^,"^: THB DKIF OP WATBt IH THE »AKI landed on hit feet and had drawn hii Colte even whUe the men at the ttain were ihouting at him to halt. u^L?^*** ^ *^' "*^**' weapone there wat confiuion, wherein the commande of the deputies mingled with the ihriekf of the women, the craih of overturned chain and the lound of tramping feet, ai the crowd divided before Glenister and swept back against the wall in the same ominous way that a crowd in the street had once divided on the morning of Helen's arrival. The trombone player, who had sunk low in his chair with closed eyes, looked out suddenly at the disturbance, and his alarm was blown through the horn in a startled squawk. A large woman whimpered, Don t shoot," and thrust her pahns to her ears, clos- ing her eyes tightly. Glenister covered the deputies, from whose vicinity the by-standers surged as though fron* the presence of lepers. "Hands upl" he cried, sharply, and they froze into motionless attitudes, one poised on the lowest step of the stairs, the other a pace forward. Voorhees ap- peared at the head of the flight and rushed down a few steps only to come abruptly into range and to assume a like rigidity, for the young man's aim shifted to him. "I have a warrant for you," the officer cried, his voice loud in the hush. "Keep it," said Glenister, showing his teeth in a smile in which there was no mirth. He backed diag- onaUy across the hall, his boot-heels clicking in the si- lence, his eyes shifting rapidly up and down the stairs where the danger lay. From her station Helen could see the whole tableau, 325 TBB SPOILBIS partner oVZ^^^Zf't 'T^'^ ^^^ *h«i' lips, the men e^g^ y«7I^l''* '«" "«» Parted ment across the hall sudrt.S„ ,.• / '''"* move- attention. She saw a mfr ^ ^"fl^ ^" "^^^ the box op,^'te"Id iC "f ""'' ** ^P^ of to peril of fitting He uSh^ ^^ °"* *"»* ''e ^<^ Gienister. who^a, jm -S",^ '«•■*» '''P- «* first glance Helen gasoK^ k - " '"'^- •** her l-nge. and she crTed^t "'* «*"" °°* ^"ce she ha7s<j;.;S?'*fc™*='»rIy: it was the brotheT knew or could chS th?bl„S ^^'^^ ^«f<"» *« "Druryl" she ^ti */'*i''°o<i <»« leaped forth, head abS;;. wt.;:^'^^„i«*j"ch he whipped his she could not gauge s^^ f. ^"^ °*er emotion For a long momSX Sa w^^^ f '***"«• or s.gn while the drama h!!:.tl '"*''out movement back into his retrLTSh^rn Tf ,* °f ■ *en he drew tog his senses, yet feS of . *!^ '°?'' °' °"« -Joubt- .For herpart^h'el/wShtagP^^^^them to the test. »hmg slowly into th« cu. j e*«ept her brother van- her glance. th"1ur^i„^.1'"^' as though stricken at THE DRIP OP WATER IK THE DARK and then the springing doo« closed bikfnd G?e4?S^ ' Helen made her way from the theatre as Xhad 8 dream. Emotions had chased each other too closelv to-mght to be distinguishable, so she went mechLSSv through the narrow alley to F«.nt Street and th^'S^ Glenister, meanwhile, had been swallowed up by the darkness, the mght enfolding him without sign or t«a As he ran he considered what course to foUo^whSS to carry the call to hU comrades in town or To ,Xf« the Creek and Dextry. The Vigilantes might^U di^! trust hnn. and yet he owed them warning McNa mara's men were moving so swiftly that ^on mu^ be speedy to forestall them. Another hour MdJhrS wouM be closed, while it seemed that wwS ^«^ he chose they would snare one or the other-Tth^ friends who remained in town or Dpt .^h«I^- i walk' T:^'^ ^-y^^^U^^^lZS'rS^^Z wa^k unheedmg mto the trap, while if he bore thTw^ ^,™ ^"i- '5*" *'■" VigH^r't^ would be jail^ bSo« dawn As he drew near Cherry Malotte's housThVUw a hght through the drawn curtkins. A hearL-ndroo pushed upon his face, another followed, a^™en"e Before he could gain the door the storm had brokeJ" It nirept up the street with tropical violence, wMte a i:> ■n :f '^ 1 1 'i I 'nil li!; I Hi i, I 11 ^Rir '' i HH Ir'^ i ll 11 ll 'i 1 ii 1 i m¥ THB SPOILERS ta^th nghed out of the night, liftine the Htt«. f,™- underfoot and i»Iti„g hin, ^th'fly^'^pIJScte ^ riri^t^i*^ ?' '*°" '^*'"~* knocking, to find the girl removmg her coat. Her face gladdoied at rieht r^. his speech atoiost drowned by the roar out- ^tat%.^^ °«^''-'' "^ ^ ^^ the in "oT^t marshals are after me. We just had a 'run ^trjl^ ^w?^^''* *^^ Vigilantes. and I mus? get them word. WiU you help me?" Heraoidlvi* '^*^.*^" «>w of the last ten minut^ wM^she" nodded her quick underetanding. ^* ^^® You're safe here for a little while," she told him for the storm will check them. If they should com^' ade entrance yonder. In my room you'U find a pj^ch wmdow. They can't comer you v^weU."^"^ know ^w ^""^ ^^"^ *** °^* ** t^« shaft house-you biow-that quartz claim on the mountain awT X Midas." He hesitated. " WiU you lend me yo^ sId! c^ r*? ?®°^ ^'^*' *^«° ^t for the hiUs." She shook her head. "You can't do it. You can't people and McNamara has probably telephoned the mmes to send a party up to the quartz claim Xd^x aa8 THE DRIP OP WATER III THE DARK ♦k1T°'^ "®'^n>?''*y * P^'^y* *"^ y^^'d founder him in 'c^"% The mud is knee-deep. Ill go myself.'^ Good Heavens, girl, in such a night I Why if a worth your life! Listen to it! The cLks wTu L up and you'll have to swim. No, I can't let you." ^ He s a good little horse, and he'll take me through " Ihen, commg close, she continued: "Oh bovl Can't you see that I want to help ? Can't you see that I-I'd die for you if it would do any good?" He gazed gravely into her wide blue eyes and said, awkwardly Yes, I know. I m sorry things are— as they are— but you wouldn't have me lie to you, little woman ?" No. You re the only true man I ever knew I guess that's why I love you. And Ido 'aveyou,oh so "" Q? , •7?''* ? ^ «^°°^ *^^ ^°rt^y to love you, toi." She laid her face against his arm and caressed him with clinging tenderness, while the wind yelled loudly about the eaves and the windows drummed beneath the ram His heavy brows knit themselves together as she whispered: "I love you! I love you I I love you!" with such an agony of longing in her voice that her soft accents were sharply distinguishable above the turmoil The growing wildness seemed a part of the woman's passion which whipped and harried her like a willow in a blast "AnH f'v'-*'^^.^?'^""^ jumbled." he said, finally. And this IS a bad time to talk about them. I wish they might be different. No other girl would do what you have offered to-night." 339 li?-! TRB SPOILERS " Then why do you think of that woman ? " she broke in, fiercely. *' She's bad and false. She betrayed you once; she's in the play now; you've told me so your- self. Why don't you be a man and forget her?" " I can't," he said, simply. " You're wrong, though when you think she's bad. I found to-night that she's good and brave and honest. The part she played was played mnocently, I'm sure of that, in spite of the fact that she'll marry McNamara. It was she who over- heard them plotting and risked her reputation to warn me." Cherry's face whitened, while the shadowy eagerness that had rested there died utterly. "She came into that dive alone? She did that?" He nodded, at which she stood thinking for some time, then continued- You're honest with me, Roy, and I'll be the same with you. I'm tired of deceit, tired of everything. I tried to make you think she was bad, but in my own heart I knew differently all the time. She came here to-day and humbled herself to get the truth, humbled herself to me, and I sent her away. She suspected, but she didn't know, and when she asked for information I msulted her. That's the kind of a creature I am. I sent her back to Struve, who offered to teU her the whole story." "What does that renegade want?" "Can't you guess?" "Why, I'd rather—" The young man ground his teeth, but Cherry hastened. "You needn't worry; she won't see him again. She loathes the ground he walks on." "And yet he's no worse than that other scoundrel. Come, girl, we have work to do; we must act, and act 330 THE DRIP OP WATER IN THE DARK quickly." He gave her his message to Dextiy. then she went to her room and slipped into a riding-habit. When she came out he asked: "Where is your rain- coat? You'll be drenched in no time." " I can't ride with it. I'll be thrown, anyway, and I don 't want to be all bound up. Water won 't hurt me. " She thrust her tiny revolver into her dress, but he took it and upon examination shook his head. " If you need a gim you'll need a good one." He re- moved the belt from his own waist and buckled his Colts about her. "But you!" she objected. "I'll get another in ten minutes." Then, as they were leaving, he said : " One other request, Cherry. I'll be in hiding for a time, and I must get word to Miss Chester to keep watch of her uncle, for the big fight is on at last and the boys will hang him sure if they catch him. I owe her this last warning. Will you send it to her?" " I'll do it for your sake, not for her — ^no, no; I don't mean that. I'll do the right thing all round. Leave it here and I'll see that she gets it to-morrow. And— Roy — ^be careful of yourself." Her eyes were starry and in their depths lurked neither selfishness nor jeal- ousy now, only that mysterious glory of a woman who makes sacrifice. Together they scurried back to the stable, and yet, in that short distance, she would have been swept from her feet had he not seized her. They blew in through the bam door, streaming and soaked by the blinding sheets that drove scythelike ahead of the wind. He struck a light, and the pony whinnied at recognition of his mistress. She stroked the little fellow's mussle 331 )! I S! ;i If l! j THB SPOlLfilS '''«»«> her uponX H^ '"<*^ ***'«« hi, hands uul Kttl. »aid."';?,^.*"didt" '^^r-'^r ""«*«?^« fa» WM pressed f„J°:TT ^. *"* »' **«». • glass in the rtable wall '*'^'* *'» P"» o£ "^^^^^m^^ttiX '7. ^ "r ^°» •• »• Md she rode out toto the rto™ t °?*''* <*«"• »'<'• he plunged back tow«rf. t^^™' ^^''""'e the portal note, fof there wrC^*?' 5^."^° '^*- *'' ""^ed ««>niplishn,ent. desprihri,.^ ^<J scant time for its the Golden Sands, Md Ww t^T^? V* *"»"«*<> on of the fall had coti^ ij^^orth t' '^* !""* •*<»» lence of men would rivaTt?.^^ ?" *''•* *•" ^io- deeds of this nigh w^'id ^^ thel?^'^'"*'' '" *"• WM rousing the hate of thelL ^^°'" " ^°''» b«te'X°dn^'*^^«^rann." "• -T-' a draught suck p^? h^^^l^^V'"" °'*^**' «' at his back as he wot^ ^'' '™° "> °P« door prevrat. I pUyed the gaSt^,w , ' *"" '*™ '^°« to forcjd me back to <im pA^olS^S^i^i'" ?"" ""«• •"" «>«y ™'' Roy Glbnistbr." 932 II THB DRIP OP WATBR IN THE DARK A» he sealed this he paused, while he felt the hair on his neck rise and bristle and a chill race up his spine. His heart fluttered, then pounded onward till the blood thumped audibly at his ear-drums and he found himself swaying in rhythm to its beat. The muscles of his back cringed and rippled at the proximity of some hovering peril, and yet an irresistible feeling forbade him to turn. A sound came from close behind his chair— the drip, drip, drip of water. It was not from the caves, nor yet from a faulty shingle. His back was to the kitchen door, through which he had come, and, although there were no mirrors before him, he felt a menacing presence as surely as though it had touched him. His ears were tuned to the finest pin-pricks of sound, so that he heard the faint, sighing " squish " of a sodden shoe upon which a weight had shifted. Still something chained him to his seat. It was as though his soul laid a restraining hand upon his body, waiting for the instant. He let his hand seek his hip carelessly, but remem- bered where his gun was. Mechanically, he addressed the note in shaking characters, whUe behind him sound- ed the constant drip, drip, drip that he knew came from saturated garments. For a long moment he sat, tin he heard the stealthy cHck of a gun-lock muffled by finger pressure. Then he set his face and slowly turned to find the Bronco Kid standing behind him as though risen from the sea, his Ught clothes wet and clinging, his feet wntred in a spreading puddle. The dim Ught showed the convulsive fury of his features above the leveUed weapon, whose hammer was curled back like the head of a striking adder, his eyes gleaming with frenzy. Wenisters mouth was powder dry, but his mind was leapmg notously like dust before a gale, for he divined 233 THfi SFOILBIS "That-. . h-^f • ^'^* "*<» y°» »»nt ?" •• u i . T * y°^' ®^ course, and I've rot vn.. " lowererl "TK . "• '*»««<J the revolver he had half ping himself with finThS to^^. ♦ ' '^"i '^^ in hi. bones. " WcaS^ wn ™^. ?' *^' '"' '••» VoLrno-^i .^ f • - SS^*hruS[: however;=-„o,«;'r^,^<i»J.«ch^. other's look unflinchingly The ITM h .f f^ 'he .tant, while his eyes, ^hioJ^'^t^Z^^ t glare of hatred wavrrM . -, x ^ *" ""h the ' * ^new It. your neck coids ouiver " I'd'te "^s- "' <-:^oopi I could. to fight, you C ^",^*:,S ••^"* ^""■" »"- Roy refused. " I gave Cherry m^iun " Yes, and more too," the man eritt^ ''T.-^* ., ■■ bier's nervous tension and S.^^ f *P *■" S™' that would put c°:::'^z'Ztx!^j^^ »34 THB DRIP OP WATBK IH THB DAKC "I h.ve tried it before, but murder ira't mv nm. " ••T*'- -^ J ««.€»* ucu 11. mere s a gun — vet it •» fight you whenev^ rrh^tl n^h." '" "~"*' ^* ''" tleman and I hav'en't losTifS^^i g^ But r'.*^: outer door-knob and turned it to let in a i^teih«J ofnuu^ hen vamshed Ulce a .torn, wraith le^v^^J PMched-Iipped man and a zigzag traU of water -Jlk gleamed in the lamplight like a K btoS ' CHAPTER XVIII i >' I >H ;iii WBEREIN A TRAP It BAITBO GLENISTER did not wait long after hi. visitor', departure, but extinguished the l^t tec^^ T^/'^^ ^""^ '^' ^"^^^ adventur^ of Kl^ The rtorm welcomed him with «uffocatin£ Wo?i2«^' J!'w? ^^^•J^'^r breath from hi. UpTwhUe thi^' thought with a pang of the girl facing thi. temo^t dJ2! T^° '"^ ^''•° "^ t"^*" to cover evi- dMtly, for the streets were given over to itTvteie^ and Roy encountered no hostUe sign as he wiiZ^' snau Had been before hun peopled now onlv bv fnVhi ^^if^ ^i"^"- AsLtte^d f::vL'7i^: fceven^thd;S.*''T • ?"* *"' '"^« "^»^ "w prevented then- fanulies from spreading the >t»n.. or ventunng out for succor. Those whChe was Z to warn d«»sed hurriedly, took their riSsT J"w»1 .36 WBBIBIH A TIAF IS lAITBI out into the drifting night, leaving empty cabins and weeping women. The great fight wai wi Towards dayUght the remnants of the Vigilantai ^l^^^ *J!! *»^,^?*>»*">'^««h<>t»eonthesiSd!ir^ and there beneath the smoking glare of lanterns cttmd the name of McNamara. As dawn grayed the rasired eastern sky-line. Dextry and Slapjack blew in thrS^h the spmdnft. bringing word from Cherry and liftin/a load from Glenister's mind. ^ "There's a game girl." said the old miner, as he wTimg out h» clothw. " She was half gone when she got to us, and now she's waiting for the storm to break so that she can come back." '•It's clearing up to the east." Slapjack chattered. D you know I m gettin' so rheumatic that ice-water don t feel comfortable to me no more." " Uriatic acid in the blood," said Dextry. " What's our next move ? " he asked of his partner. " When do Tki J^^S"* politician ? Seems like we've got enough able-bodied piano-movers here to tie a can onto the whole outfit, push the town site of Nome off the map and start afresh." ^' "I think we had better lie low and watch develop- ments, the other cautioned. "There's no telling what may turn up during tht day." "That's right. Stranglers is Uke spirits— they work best in the dark." ^ As the day grew, the storm died, leaving ramparts of clouds hanging sullenly above the ocean's rim, while those skilled in weather prophecy foretold the coming of the equinoctial. In McNamara's office there was great stir and the coming of many men. The boss sat a37 |;K in sroiLBit r^ bitfrty ..1U ^L'. SSSr *°»«»-'-^ You're not fit to henl theeo Th{**«, — He called for a certain deputy and auMf{^^ u- ^J*«.. .re.ch.nr ~m.wh«,. kJZ«. ^ "What?" thel^ll^'"''"^' ^•<^««htherbymirtakeia thit*^:^* °^ ^^* "*** ^**^ ^*^ been with Voorhee. at the Nmh^ asked to see the receiver and toW iS * The chief won't beUeve that I saw mJt^^'- ^a dan^haU last night. hntsL^Tt^:^ ^^u^ wcSkn? h "'^^"^ P«t him wise to oSTg^ S?e" wouldn t have known we were after him." WHBIBIII A TIAF » lAITBB Jp h«Mtr n»d« no cominmit, bttt. wh«i alone nm grtw MVAge and bruul. "So that'i the gune. eh^ It't r. an to man from SSI ~\i yr ^"' ^^^' ^'" have yoTSfe^ ^lr*J?7""y?*'" W. MiM Helen." He c^ ^ /J^IS** T*^ ***•" "^•^ *"<> ^t them Imdly ^•newered. Pubhc opinion would not .tand too f^lu!i^u.^\^^^?^^ ^* ^^ »<^ within hii mieib^ond the law and into his trap. She had pawed the word once ; the would do so again. ^^^ He hurried to Stilhnan's house and stonned into the prewmce of the Judge. He told the story so artfully that the Judge's astonished unbelief yielded to rage and •J^"!' "?** ^^•u'^M**'' ^» «i«ce- She caxnedown, white and silent, havmg heard the loud voices The Old man berated her with shrewish fury, while Mc- Namara stood silent. The girl listened with entire self- control until her uncle made a reference to Glenister that she found intolerable. ««*cr ••Hush! I will not listenl" she cried, passionately. 1 warned him because you would have sacrificed him after he had saved our lives. That is all. He is an nonert man, and I am grateful to him. That is the only foundation for your insult." McNamara, with apparent candor, broke in: You thought you were doing right, of course, but your action will have terrible consequences. Now we'll 239 lli 'jW 1 1^ ; ^E Ilil B ml ■ |Tp p |^.|,|,_,., 5^ THB SPOILBKS have riot bloodshed, and Heaven knows what It »« w ^^®®*s impnsonment would have done it Xr.^'^rt.^ ""'' '^"^-"» "0 -'^^' len'ce""' '"''" "" "***• "'^*"" °»"t°"* »» "»y vio- ruihSl*7„!?i,''° "" *P'"« *° "''«='' «>">>• They an, ru»hing to their own destruction. I have learned thIJ they plan to attack the Midas to-niriit and?H h. fifty •oldien waiting for them there It i,..h /' yet not crazy enough to attack the Midas. Thev wiU ch^ters. They must be fellows who wrn-Hlt ^t fall. I U make you answer to me " '^ ^^Why don't you get the troops?" ventured Voor- 940 WHEREIN A TRAP IS BAITED •tep out, and I'm not ready for that just yet." The receiver smiled sinisterly. Helen meanwhile had fled to her room, and there received Glenister's note through Cherry Malotte's mes- •enger. It rekindled her worst fears and bore out Mc- Namara's prophecy. The more she read of it the more certain she grew that the crisis was only a question of hours, and that with darkness, Tragedy would walk the streets of Nome. The thought of the wrong already done was lost in the lonely girl's terror of the crime about to happen, for it seemed to her she had been the mstrument to set these forces in motion, that she had loosed this swift-speeding avalanche of greed, hatred and brutality. And when the crash should come— the girl shuddered. H must not be. She would shriek a warning from the house-tops even at st of her uncle of McNamara, and of herself. And yet she had no proof that a crime existed. Although it all lay clear in her own mind, the certainty of it arose only from her intuition. If only she were able to take a hand— if only she were not a woman. Then Cherry Malotte's words anent Struve recurred to her, "A bottle of wine and a woman's face." They brought back the lawyer's assurance that those documents she had safeguarded all through the long spring-time journey really con- tamed the proof. If they did, then they held the power to check this impending conflict. Her uncle and the boss would not dare continue if threatened with ex- posure and prosecution. The more she thought of it, the more urgent seemed the necessity to prevent the battle of to-night. There was a chance here, at least, and the only one. Adding to her mental torment was the constant 841 i 1 nil'''' ,v'l nKfff ] I ■ ■ I f.«^ '1 'iilJ If ,*^if§_ m tll^ •-''^^1 "^■^1 lllr in U I i i THB SPOILfilS .uo? What weprhrm'a'^'''^«it«»^^^ o«^o^rean:nt^-4^^-h.pHv.. gray-eyed girl standing Tew ** "*^* °' *J»« cheeL'-t^lrgX^^ UP t: ^^ "«^* -* o^ ^» gain, then?" '^^ ^*^^ «P *<> hw eyes. "It's a bar- She nodded. " Give them to me fi«t " He laughed unpleasantlv "wt * i* for? I'll keep myWof th. f^"*.^^'./^" take me you«. But thisTno oul ^'^^'^ ^^ y°«'" l^eep theair.andi'm W^ir!n;"°''V"*- '^hei^'s riot ii backto-morrow^hritrarv^V?^'"^^'*- ^"^ 4^^^^^^ °^ to-night's doings that led "I'll never come back." she said -i. • to know tOKlay-yes, at on«*' ^*'"^^i^ have clung to me 'bi^u^^Th!,", '""i ^"^^ °^ "W/ bones, and it seem, to^^^J^ '*"*'' '°'' y°" « » my the kind of a^Tn ?am and ? r""*' '" '*• ^ >»''» self because of it BuT'lv. ,*"''* °° P""** » "y- We'U ride to tbls^oltl^T ?**" *•"" ""y- little road -house Sfrnf J f ii "'' » """"tic above the Snake wT.^ T.,^i P^'^'-ed high together." ~v" trail. We 11 take dinner thwe »4» WHBIBIlf A TIAP IS BAITBB "But the papers?" 'I'll have them with me W-'ii .*^^ • ••T« .« u M "»n* inc. we u start m an hour ** In an hour," she echoed, lifelesslv AnH wL u • Snake Riv«. brS ^ellor"?^«"""«r"'^ °» *"• » Strove. Anylw^y at th.^*y°"' Shorts? "">» them away if tC^n,..!j^' *'~^- T"™ ctrioS:?ye^^^^^'-^"«'.;' heraelf. uS M iL?^ "'tfP«» "Khtly about diffidence, hoover and whLw^"*^"!.** '<»* "er markurf ,ijrt J • • •^*° '**'*" had finished, re- marked, with deasion: "Don't go with him. H<;'. a ^™veto,dyouth^;h^rL^e.""5Syor^'St d^^L \ ^^""^ °"'y ^^' ^°«^' ^«t he spoke of those ^trcSol toT''^^^^^^ ^^^"^ *^^y contained h?i^ h«M^ .1 , *'® ""P *^® '"^"^s i^ order to give h W hold for the lawsuits. He bragged that the rest of^l gang were in his power and that he cou d Khl L' the penitentiary for conspiracy. That's aH/? ^ "" It s the only chance," said Helen. "Thev are send mg soldiers to the Midas to lie in ambush, and^o" ^uft" 243 if THB SPOILBKS wa™ the Vigilantes." Cherry paled at this and ejacu- nignt. The two stared at each other. If I succeed with Struve I can stop it all-aU of this injustice and crime-everything." ^^^^ °' mand^^" '?^i!'* ""^^^ ^^'^^ '^^^?" Cherry de- manded That man is an animal. You'll have to kin^hmj to save yourself, and he'U never give up So^ JZ"^' ^^ "^"lu?*^^ ^^^^' fi««ely. "and I defy him to harm me. The Sign of the Sled is a pubhc roa^ Will you warn Mr. Glenister about the tit)op8?" ment ^ Ch^^ruT ^°' t ^'"^^^ ^^^^- Wait a tno- "er "Don'f^ -r? ^~™ *^' '^'^'^' ^«' tiny levol- Ils^ tha??!L cr*1' '° u'" '^^^- ^ ^^* yo" to know V.t \ ^IF ^°'' ''^** ^ *^i^ yesterday." As she hurried away, Helen realized with a shock he^ In"f^h'V'' P"V^" "^°"*^« had wroVht^ jier In truth, it was as Glenister had said his North land worked strangely with its denizens. What of^W shnnkmg girl who had stepped out of the ^^e^'^e harned thing. juggUng with honor and reputation in her heart a half-formed fear that she migWl a m^ i„.T^M°.^^"^'^^°^^ The elements we^mc^l^ mg her with irresistible hands. Roy's contactwSrh. prinu^ve had not roughened l^'moT^To^^\^ She met her appointment with Struve and th^v m^^ away together, he talkative and elatJ^%Te ^^ "44 "hi WHBKBIN A TIAP IS BAITBD Late in the afternoon the cloud banks to the east- ward assumed alarming proportions. They brought with them an early nightfall, and when they broke let forth a tempest which rivalled that of the previous night. During the first of it armed men came sifting into McNamara's office from the rear and were hidden throughout the building. Whenever he descried a peculiarly desperate ruffian the boss called him aside for private instruction and gave minute description of a wide-shouldered, erect youth in white hat and half- boots. Gradually he set his trap with the men Voor- hees had raked from the slums, and when it was done smiled to himself. As he thought it over he ceased to regret the miscarriage of last night's plan, for it had served to goad his enemies to the point he desired, to the point where they would rush to their own undoing. He thought with satisfaction of the r61e he would play in the United States press when the sensational news of this night's adventure came out. A court official who dared to do his duty despite a lawless mob. A receiver who turned a midnight attack into a rout and shambles. That is what they would say. What if he did exceed his authority thereafter? What if there were a scandal? Who would question? As to sol- diers—no, decidedly no. He wished no help of soldiers at this time. The sight u . a ship in the offing towards dark caused him some uneasiness, for, notwithstanding the assur- ance that the course of justice in the San Francisco courts had been clogged, he knew Bill Wheaton to be a resourceful lawyer and a determined man. Therefore, it relieved him to note the rising gale, which precluded the possibility of interference from that source. Let 245 '■ iU 1 1' « 1 • ' " fi i-'i '.1 1 1 f li; I: 1 THB SFOILBIS them come to-morrow if they would n^ ♦v * .i •ome of the mJnet would be ^TS««'*«? v^* .*^.°'* •trengthened a hundredfold ^'^•'^•" ''^^ ^ Po«tion tho^i^h^let^^ei'LT^^^^ .^'~T -* ^«^-. •!- of .triking^Tn the ?i^ of i!^"*^ ^°^^ ^^'^ knew m^t have be« J^« t^e warning which he She hasn't returned from her ride Vrt rl / .i of effort node towud^^J^i ""^ "* *• '«=k "You bet,"chorus«ed the othem "ti,. . soned the mines ao let'. ar!Vu *™\ They've garri- » clean jJbTh iL'.^V^T^*' *?* *°™ "«» ""^e p^„ joDotrt. I*t • hang the whole outfit to one m^rV^lI^ "PP"^*"' Glenister alone de- L»t night I lot word ZX^tbt^ZcV^"^?- «n>rt» are aeainst ua n. .H -u . . '* *''* Cahfoniia whatever t^^^' we a^""*"^)**" ™!!r «••«*. eitherin this court ^ra^NfJT "" '*«"' ''«'? v-rua appeal. Now, suppose we lynch 346 ijil! WHBIBIR A TIA^ IS BAITBB thweofficMta to-night— what do we gain? M»rti»lUw whril'"™"'J*" ""»- *'«^ "P for%nother r.r Md Jrtotaow. what ehe? Mayb. . comipter c^'„"t thi > ^!^ r *•.' 'f *•"* >~« » no fool. What thM TOoM of OS who don't find the morgue will end m jaU. You wy we can't meet the soldier. I „y we can and must. We must carry this row tTihm We S'SLif^'ii* ^ *"• coms^ Ataska. J^t tSTcouS of C^ifomia, and up to the White House\where th.^ on. honejt man. at least. We must do' .^t^tl Ii^j;'^,* •« « '" ^"•""gton- We must get out erf h^i^ «^' M-^NMiara can beat us there. Alth^gh he s a strong man he can't corrupt the President W. *«v. <«e sh^ left, and it mus? reZi^fXn^ When Uncle Sam takes a hand we'U get a squ^e^' «. I say let ,« strike at the Midas to-night and Se to; FoUowmg this harangue, he outUned a plan which m |te «n«j« daring took away their breaths, ^„SS SiS Tn^'^'j^' detaa they brightened With «tdt^ S^ ST. !^ *T r:'"' '"^ *••• »"*»* valleys « ^J^ "^^^ "D^f^'- ^ '»'^°«» "tined them and enthusiasm did the rest. mn^A— *if°' f?''*^'" ^* ''**^' "^ *h« chance to run the big nsk. It's mine by right " "Ain't he a heller?" the chairman added: "Let's have Glenister lead this totlom hope. I am willing to stand or faU on his iude- M7 * m THB SPOILBIS ^?tlth1i?%'^u**^ "^^^"^^ • di-entiiig voict tnUm" ^'^^^ '** "••" "^^ ^^J'- "^•'" «« by "?/ ^i*^"? u^"^ can we get » train?" rf*««i!f!^i • A* •P«^«'«>' •* which Dextry grinned itk?wL*i-^ Wjointed companion. «d1S^ ^•h!b wre is " ^°" *" *"''•'' "ying: thl.^fL'"^!^^'^' "?*^ Glenirter, accompanied by thwe two ghpped out into the whirling storm and k half-hour later the'rest followed. One by cme™he^L length from the door, till at last the big bleak wTiT house echoed hollowly to the voice of Ihe :S^dTd' Over in the eastern end of town behind durV «•« fiZth?^ ^ '?*'.'"*'y ""ittog-waiting «>,ie wort ^ ^J^ A^dow which rtood Witt folded IS w^SnS ""^ "^^ «"y • '""• '»'" their headTa TOrtched old man paced back and forth, wringfaehfa and to mumble the name of his siMer't chiM. CHAPTER XIX DTNAIilTB EARLY in the evening Cherry Malotte opened her door to find the Bronco Kid on herlteT uL entered and threw oflf his rubber coat SioW hfm wen, she waited for hi. disclosure of his maTd * hS •allow skin was without trace of color, his evei w«r« while his hands kept up constant little nervous ^l 8lq)t and now hovered on the vei^e of some hysteria S! fiT J ^ ;«»P«»sion of a smouldering mine with tw V 1!S"^u''^2't "P ^ *^* P<'^<^«'- She judged ^wit h ^y^jf ^ '*^^«^ ^y ^^«^ passion tin «?wl i^/J^ ^^^"^ and weary, yielding only to the spur of his restless, revengeful spirit. After a few objects remarks, he began, abruptly: m.^J'^ °''*; ^7 Glenister?" His voice, like his mI^H' r** ^^T^l ^«^«'' *"<^ »»« matched her care- fullyas she replied, without quibble or deceit: «-« T ;: • ^^'^^ ^ ^^'^^y* '*'**"• He is the only true fo^iin^ " ""* ^""^ ' ^""^ ^'"^ ''^^ *"^^"^^ °^ «y For a long time he studied her. and then broke into rapid speech allowing her no time for interruption. ive held back and held back because I'm no 349 Ill '1? ^ 1 ^M til ■I ■ THB SPOILBIS 01 It, and up here rm mIv • .»-«;wi !bI 7 P*" elie I'H m-,lr y * 8»mWer, fit for nothing "««»e me sicuUc a-d walk the alleys like a daffo If. put murder into my heart, iw/lned tS SSjtte hm. I tned it here hut night-but-I wuTTe^hl ^once-tiU the card. came. He know^^Si^ aC« now^ though, and he', ready for me-HK> one of u. wS 2?^i **^* » J*"^;« ^hen we meet. I felt that I had •^Y^5»l^?r^;^*^<^<>^<>'^fo«hegotme.'' Jou re talking hke a madman, Kid." .he replied. ±Zt ^"^ '"'i*'* * ***" •«*^»* ^^ «ow. H; hai tojuble. enough. I never knew you cared for me. ^t a tangle it i.. to be «ire. You love me, I love fh?;* ^^^ *^* ^^^' *«d "^^ »o^« « crook. iM't ^IVI? 7 f*^*" "^^^^^^ yo"' ^^^^Jing to it ? You ^l? * ^^ !!?•• ^' ^*>^ I'« J»«lf i««n«- There', something dreadful in the air to-night-" *nH "i ^!.'''' *° ^" Wm."the man muttered, doggedly. W f.^K°' "*'°" " *^*^ ^°"^^' «he could get noth- ,^«T r ^""^^^ *^^ ^ords. tiU at lart .he turned upon him fiercely. a$o 'Hi ! MKAJIITB The gambler roee slowly to hie Ib^ " v#«. a^ i Mm. don't your 8h. bi^S h« 2^ J^S ^^ tat «o.tin«.d: "I wp„u„-t m.,JToiX1^S^ way. I didn't mean it that way " ^ •*• um ^fjT ,***• '^•' >' *^* » ^»«t you cam? for I wanted to leave this life and be goodf to w"w« v and rrjoVi^^lLii:^"'^^^'-**^- ^-^^wi:; iW®K' f*^ *^* ^^^- "You're wrong. I'm not that kind of a sport." His voice broke sSddenW ^ onaT^hi f '''^^"^u" """^^^ ^ ^^« » woman. If. one of the two good things left in me. and I want to t^e J.T T^ *"'"' ^'^ ""^"^ ^"^ «^" ^*»» hide uZ the past, where we can start new, as you say " • You would marry me ?" she asked. Ill an hour, and give my heart's blood for the Srdl*; .7"V ~"'' '''? '^^ *^^"«' '^o* ^ if your own dear hfe hung upon it. I must kill that man " She approached him and laid her arms about his .^aZ^ ^KM '?'' ^y P'^^^^"S. but he refUS st^dtastiy. while the sweat stood out upon his brow She begged: "They're all against hiiTlCid. SS •» as I TBB SPOILBIS iightiiiff t liopelcn fight. He laid aU ht bad at thAt gttVM feet, and I'U do tha lame for you." hJ^^ {"T*?* !f '^•^y- "He got hit nrwaid. He took all the had — " H Ji^J^^** ' ^^' . ^ «""• I ^°^' You'w a fam. Mater, but you haven't any right to talk like that about A good woman, even to a bad one like me." -k^*?. u^ <^^«y« •Jo^Jy cwpt a hungry took, and •he felt hmi begin to tremble the least bit. He under- took to ipeak, pauMd, wet hii lipe. then carefuUy chose these words: "Do you mean— that he did not-4hat she ia-a good girt?" , •--««» M« »-• "Absolutely." He sat down weakly and passed a shaking hand over his lace, which had begun to twitch and jerk again as it had on that night when his vengeance was thwarted. ♦V * ^ f*7*" *•" y^ *^** ^ "^o^ •»»••• wore than that. She s honest and high-prindpled. I don't know Why Im saying this, but it was on my mind and I was half distracted when you came. She's in danger to- night, though— at this minute. I don't dare to think of what may have happened, for she's risked everything to make reparation to Roy and his friends." "What?" " She's gone to the Sign of the Sled alone with Struve." Struvel'' shouted the gambler, leaping to his feet. Alwie with Struve on a night like this?" He shook cu •^^y* *^*"8' "What for? Tell me quickl" She recounted the reasons for Helen's adventure. while the man's face became terrible. AA?^^' ^' l.*°* *° ^^»*^ 'o** ^«tting her go. Why did I do it? I'm afraid-afraid." "^ • "^ ftTIIAIilTB «.. Clock hi. eye."br«3fh:t anrjufch^/: fotded ay-maddened bull. " Wu ^htTcl^?!^ ^ ten mil«-two houn. Too late!* ^ "What aili you?" the quettioned, baffled bv t.1. •tnrnge dtmeanor. "You called ^\u ^ "* jurt now. and yet-" »••# the one woman He swung towards her heavily. " She', mv d.tm> " u— J;^. P' C*" ' you he»r? She'i in I).,,ll•• dww hinuelf somnrbat under contrel ^^i^Z tor bun while the Ufe ran bkck into hii veta. ivZlJ done, .nd » he fl», the «ddle on the b«ckZ.^ «d iptrigued .g.i„« her, buuf. ^,^,1,::? "f^'J W. . httte .trealc of good in m. ^ij,^ He spoke to her from the saddle " If. «,«- a. . .t^Ic. Cherry-, .nd you're my tod of piT^ ^ lri„H ,* • '•'*-•»»<>«». Kid. I don't want to be you, tand. Iw.nttobehi.kind-oryourB.ter?^'?"' » ««^ **r°? *^* «nde«vous. Glenirter and hi. two ttiid. .lunk thxough the night, avoiding Se m Hd «53 ^*1 1 THB SPOILBIS Ughtt of the town, while the wind surged out of the voids to seaward, driving its wet burden through their flappmg shckers, pelting their faces as though enraged at Its failure to wash away the purposes written there. Their course brought them to a cabin at the western outskirts of the city, where they paused long enough to adjust something beneath the brims of their hats. Past them ran the iron rails of the narrow-gauged road which led out across the quaking tundra to the moun- tains and the mines. Upon this slender traU of steel there rolled one small, ungainly teapot of an engine which daily creaked and clanked back and forth at a Mail 8 pace, screaming and wailing its complaint of the two high-loaded fJat-cars behind. The ties beneath it were spiked to planks laid lengthwise over the semi- Iiquid road-bed, in places sagging beneath the surface till the humpbacked, short-waisted locomotive yawed and reeled and squealed like a drunken fish-wife. At night It panted wearily into the board station and there sighed and coughed and hissed away its fatigue as the coals died and the breath relaxed in its lungs. Ear!/ to bed and eariy to rise was perforce the motto of Its gnmy crew, who Uved near by. To-night they were just retiring when stayed by a summons at their door. The engineer opened it to admit what appeared to his astonished eyes to ^e a Krupp cannon propelled by a man in yellow-oiled clothes and white cotton mask. This weapon assumed the proportions of a great, one- eyed monster, which stared with baleful fixity at his vitals, giving him a cold and empty feeling. Away back beyond this Cyclops of the Sightless Orb were two other strangers likewise equipped. '54 DTKAJIITB now locened by the movemm hU ote^ lilL^:^ bent on smking floorwani in .„ ;stasy TauZ^ WCTM order. The other man was new to the wav> of tte North. «, backed to the limit of hi, q,«rt^1La "H^'h.m"* *^!*, <"?■»" thing at my stomach." nes, "hL "^'''^ ?* ^"»"'"- with unmitttml loud- "-^- '^°'"' ^^' boys." hrJf! K ?■"•'* "° '°''''" '»'"' the foremost figure it, weata^L' '»?!»ted the shoeless one. "Mustbe- ..«*.*' ""ythmg worth stealing." hurt'yo::^^ Ctrot^:^ ZVi^e-ta J^tf J«nf .refrin^i^i*^^" '-r '*^ ^p^"- ^ taking «ff^T., '^ ■"'""'^ " »"««■• « premature Md dimhtc •, !T '"'' °*"' '^''" '°"»' naterializTng and chmbmg silently on to the cars behind; then asU^e ««m-gaage touched the mark, the woM ^as 2^ and th. t,«n rumbW out from iu shelter, itsshriU^^t^t '1$ m • '.ii i f , TBB SPOILERS cttfb and croning whipped away and drowned m the •tonn. Slapjack remained in the cab, gun in lap, while Dex- try climbed back to Glenister. He found the young man in good spirits, despite the discomfort of hit ex- posed position, and striving to hght his pipe behind the shelter of his coat. " Is the dynamite aboard ?" the old man questioned. "Sure. Enough to ballast a battle-ship." As the train crept out of the camp and across the nver bridge, its only light or glimmer the sparks that were snatched and harried by the blast, the partners seated themselves on the powder cases and conversed guardedly, while about them sounded the low mumjur of the men who risked their all upon this cry to duty, who staked their lives and futures upon this hazard of the hills, because they thought it right. "We've made a good fight, whether we win or lose to-night," said Dextry. Roy replied, *'My fight is made and won." " What does that mean ? " "My hardest battle had nothing to do with the Midas or the mines of Anvil. I fought and conquered my- self." ^ "Awful wet night for philosophy," the first remarked. "It's apt to sour on you Uke milk in a thunder-storm. S'pose you put overalls an* gum boots on some of them Boston ideas an' lead 'em out where I can look 'em over an' find out what they're up to." " I mean that I was a savage tiU I met Helen Chester and she made a man of me. It took sixty days, but I think she did a good job. I love the wild things just as much as ever, but I've learned that there are duties a 356 «£.!:/«? . ^^ °**^- ^^« found out too that fhi JJ^ibmK.. ..ully the h.rf.« ^ do/'S^'l*!;;:,* ^^ Ob. yo»f mannen ue good enough as they I«» " j-^pt«Ith.oth«. "You never id eat JlSLyL ••No°°^l^"r " ""»-«''." Glenister laughed. ywi re nght on the job along with any of them Ea«t^ Zj^I't'^ ^"^ t^ '* ">«» Trir^otelT^" tot hSd^t? ZYt ^"** ""^ Pickle-forks equii with v~. T ■ ^ '* P^* ""* confidence just to be with you. I »emember puttine milk >nH ™.., • c<»«)mm< the first time. It wL Mil ^1, ™*^ "^ anf 2J'^?i^''''^"*""'' "** '•«''• f°' l-e was buoy- "^•^ Wmthe w?„r"" °' -«'''"'' ■>-*" P--^ w." J^ll";"''* ^* "''" ' ■"«««• but it goes. Say if we win b«* our mine, we'll hit for New Yorkne,t-^h ?" »S7 TRB SFOILBIS tten than I gat j. Tmco. I uMe that won! 'high"' a^^- ?P«f to meat. Not that I wouldn't lem thZT^h ! ? fl^^"u ^i"«^ '°' ^^^^*» Avenue or any- wheres. but I hke the West. Spealdn' of modes an' styles when I get all Ut up in that gray woosted suit of mme, I guess I make the jaded sight-seers set up an' ^^i^° r^JlL Somethin' doin' every minute iS the «anm ofnecloK-what? Nothin' gaudy, but the acme of neatness an' form, as the feller said who sold it to tot. Their conamon peril brought the friends together again, mto that clilse bond which had been theirs with- out interruption until this recent change in the younger nad led him to choose paths at vaciance with the oW man s jdeas; and now they spoke, heart to heart, in the half-senous. half- jesting ways of okJ. while beneath each whimsical irony was that mutual love and under- standing which had conwcnrted their partnership Arriving at the end of the road, the V^lantes de- bouched aad went into the darkness of the caflon Denind then- leader, to whom the trails wene familiar He bade them pause fiaally, and gave his laat instruct tions. "They are on the alert, so you want to be cafcM Lhvide into two parties and close in from bo« sides creeping as near to the pickets as possible without dis^ covery. Remember to watt for the last Uast When rt comes, cut loose and charge like Sioux. Doa't shoot to kill at first, for they're only soldiers and under otders witif they stand—well, every man must do his work "' cirdT^^ *Pl»aled to the dim figures fc«ining the as8 if i ' hi ATHAMITB go iMide than for the boy. I've had more expe^S Sgh't 1^ LTmll:?-'* " '"•^ •"' '^ -• '"^ ^' They melted away to each side whili the old prot- pector paused to wring his partner's hand. ^^ help eml" He stumbled after the deparSn/shado^ &o^"th!rr H^^^*' ""' "^^ Cn'Gi:^!^ npped open the powder cases and secreted the contents to7evL^r"- ,f^^»^^-'?"<^?«helddynanme^no^h pockets, inside his shirt, and everywhere that he h«i JBom^ll be was burdened and cased in an armor one- the^ «f the earth so utterly as to leave no tnce H^L2vT' t ^^ "Pf^ °"* °^ *^* mountainside. He to^ to his fuses and saw that tney were wrapped m oded p^per. then placed them in his hat. HaWng «^^iL "'^' ^^^"^ ^**^ ^iffi^^^ty ^^r the wei0rt be earned. pv^lSV*''?*.**^ ^"^^^ ^^ ^^«« ^e» made was ^idenced by the fact that the ground beneath his feet stoped away to a basin out of which bubbled a spring It furnished the drinking supply of the Midas, and he knew every mch of the crevice it had worn down the mountain so felt his way cautiously along. At the bottom of the hill where it ran out upon the level it had worn a considerable ditch through the soil, and into this he crawled on hands and knees. His bulging «S9 p- TBB SPOILBIS ^JSJJ.S^'s:? "H" ~ ♦"•t hi. giot WM dow ««i hi. b«k tiu h. ^^zz^^z'^:,:^ let. ctoving downwMd betw«n to rib. nJST^ ^n« th. ditch „d w.^.^ to^t^t Mother look when he .uddeniy flatly iZ»fc «~m bjd h.tf d«^j^ *•>• -*«^ ^^ A .^ ^" j:r«?sL"j'^";j^'«^ "^ ^• n«ve touched him. The wntiy paused a few m^ heyond and accosted another tbm^JLrZ ?!^ ov^ the bridge. Evidently hta^tritetS* blacknns of the mine buildings, then d«w hinSrifdrte a6o DTIIAIIITB dream of his boyhood, and had answered the hope he tond. It had come to him when he was disheartened HtoThrid«%*"^ ^PP^?"' *"^ ^•^^ yi«W«J itSf IS? ]5i;2.^'^*X ?•* ?^- inhabitants were on the ™!i«.?^ lu ***• '°«n<l»tion» he made mysterioui preparations then sought out the office building and ««k.hou«. doing Ukewise. He found that bi^k of ^ •«nmg repose of the Midas there was a strained «- Although suspense had lengthened the time out of ^ calculatK,n he judged he had been gone f «^ iS companions at least an hour and that they must be^ pUce by now. If they were not-if anything^S Tt ^ eleventh hour-well. tho«» were the fortun^ Sf ^tK. In every enterprise, however carefully planned thwe comes a time when chance must Uke iu turn ' fomwJ?^ ^ ""*? ^?^* ^^® blaclcsmith-shop and ftimbled for a match. Just as he was about tostrila for some time. Then, ignit«g his punk «id hidingh w^ii?^**'^°^^*'^^«»'" to listen. ThewLd t^f m^altS."'" and th. rein sang musically upon He ran swiftiy from house to house. and, when he had l^ , "P'"** ""^ ^^ *""«1® ^ ^^ traced three glowmg coals were sputtering. The final bolt was launched at krt. He stepped 9^1 !l tl:t- ■* I TIB SPOILBIS down into the ditch and drew hia At •!.». * vj With the first impact overhead the men poured forth dwindhng whine of spent lead. Theriea^ Iz! I-j "i" • 'L^' "*y "" *■>« cook-house disruot itictf "d <i»mteg«t. into . thou«nd flyi« to^'^^ ftTNAMITB over their he»di and into the night. At the rockmff JS^Ji^th?!,?*'J^* ? ^'y .tick., then every. W i5i?^*u ?• defendert the earth was lathed by Su- y^^t^l^ Tl'i *H^' ^•'y ***«'^' «»d they canw. Then, before they could reaUie what it b^ed the deptht ht up again tiU the raindrop, were ouVSS d«tmct and glittening Uke a gouam^ y^ToTl^^ whUe the office building to their left wat ripped IS l^ded and the adjoining wallt leaped out into'^dS^ rehrf, their thattered window, looking Uke ghoetlv JS.'^"? 'r- 7^' ^•^'^ °' darkne«do.edCv L; than velvet and the men cowered in their tiack.. .hield- erne another . bodie.. waiting for the .1^ to vomit Ter them it. rain of mitriles. Their bac^ were to t^ dropped their nflet. The thunder of hoofi and the ^e«ji of teit^hcwe. came from the .UWe.. The cry of a maddened beast is weird and calculated to e^e the blood at bett. but with it aroteVlI^ voice .hneking from pain and fear of death A wrenched and doubled mass of tine had hurtled out of the heaven, and struck wme one down. The chokine hoar8«««s of the man's appeal told the story, and those about him broke into flight to escape what tight follow to escape this danger they could not see but which t W^^o ''''' ""i *^ ^'^'^ ^^^« ^d ^'^ which there w^ no defence. They fled only to witness an- other and gmter light behind than by which thly ^ •63 ill •ft I '-. ( r n- T8B SPOILBIS «Ming at tha lolluig unoke-bank at it waa rav^^dbJ mrtlh- tTfi- w . ™" ""Uow"* •rma aa i{ to ahut ojrt^th. hdl»h gto. or to diiaM thanaelvaa few , ^ 0«t to th. heart of the chao. nng a voJee fc»d aad "Be»are the nest blaatt" At the aame jpatant the (Mle of ■han.duv.t^ "«« •■ xney came, but it wm unnecetiarv for thJL S^i t^ "^ "^P^ «»-t™ctioa only by a ham M, were not mmded to Urry hen where the hea^ S^« JT ^^' ""f^- ''» •'*»»» their ^. •tornabon the hoitei had bioken fita, their .Sua over the men— bhnd. unreawming, contagiota— and tZ^^ out into the night. S,lHdin7^ tWr •pot. Some dashed oS the bluff and feU amons ^ Pt. and duice.. Other. «n up the nwur^dde «nd cowered in the brush Bke qiuiU ' the nSl! 'l*™"?**!." "«"»'«J «>«!' Pri«>ne™ near S:,1iv,?!rC'S;^r^ th^u.^ .he «nok. pan. a64 DTlfAHITB ** Rm any one teen McNanuifm t " Na m.« t..^ ^ wh«, thv w« ta.„ -JIK Uto Zw'tSj tal;^ h. w„ p^ by D«cuy'. gli^i^J^ Jfr r?^ "•'' ** "«"» o»t yonder in th« bnidT* " ■""/ ■">••• Tney were miners ell or thna. .-j »««MU gathered faom the e»mo Wh!l ?- ^ *^ w«e the eoldien. "•**"'• where, he wondered. yolirt m'S::,'"'' *~^ '~» *• b«»ck. .0 help wcI?to{:,S??'- ^' '-'^•» -» • "'ai« .inc. w. th. United'STc^. ."^'S??'^ " t? '^* wouW never reuh W«SA«^ .„L • " •^^ ** »««™ pHrting hi. end he .^KieSSj SS^ .I'ST'- «lv« into the realm, of o^ttoZ w^l^rf "ir" SrJi w^h""""" -sainrt the.H/tJ'Slt"^^ pncet would rest upon their Hm/I. ^ *^"*^» wnere l-d Uek .h«l, courtVX d«t«?°TN.^'^ |ud^*em where he wanK«„!n:^: 5^^':^: M the imagination of DeSr^,r!Sl ~* """"» OI«Mter.Sembled h,^TD^,^T "".' ?">" •« Bova ♦»..•. • . ' •?**«»? to them plainly Boy.. th» » no victory. I„ &«. we're wSITSff ^65 if MICMCOPV RMOUITION TBT CMAIT (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) A >^PPLIED HS/HGE 16S3 EoM Moin StrM< RochMtor, Nm> York „ (716) ♦« - 0300 - Phon* (716) 288 -5989 -Fox Inc 14609 USA -tf ;rf THE SPOILERS than we were before, and our biggest fight is coming. There s a chance to get away now before dayUght and before we re recognized, but if we're seen here at sun- up we 11 have to stay and fight. Soldiers will be sent against us, but if we hold out, and the struggle is fierce enough. It may reach to Washington. This wiU be a different kind of fighting now, though. It will be war- .? A «"^ r ^°^ ^^'"P^®- ^°^ "^^"y o^ you will stick ? •• All of us," said they, in unison, and, accordingly preparations for a siege were begun. Barricades were built, rums removed, buildings transformed into block- houses, and all tjirough the turbulent night the tired men labored till ready to drop, led always by the youne giant, who seemed without fatigue. It was perhaps four hours after midnight when a man sought him out. "Somebody's callin' you on the Assay Office tele- phone — says it's life or death." Glenister hurried to the building, which had escaped the shock of the explosions, and, taking down the re- ceiver, was answered by Cherry Malotte. "Thank God, you're cafe," she began. "The men have just come in and the whole town is awake over the riot. They say you've killed ten people in the fight-— is it true?" He explained to her briefly that all was well, but she broke in : "Wait, wait! McNamara has called for troops and you'll all be shot. Oh, what a terrible night it har been! I haven't been to bed. I'm going mad. Now listen, carefully— yesterday Helen went with Struve i* the Sign of the Sled and she hasn't come back." The man at the end of the wire cried out at this, a66 DYNAMITE then choked back his words to hear what followed. His free hand began making strange, futile motions as though he traced patterns in the air. " I can't raise the road-house on the wire and— some- thmg dreadful has happened, I know." "What made her go?" he shouted. " To save you," came Cherry's faint reply. " If you love her, nde fast to the Sign of the Sled or you'll be too late. The Bronco Kid has gone there—" At that name Roy crashed the instrument to its hook and burst out of the shanty, calling loudly to his men. What s up?" "Where are you going?" "To the Sign of the Sled," he panted. "We've stood by you, Glenister, and you can't quit us like this, said one, angrily. "The trail to town is good, and we'll take it if you do." Roy saw they feared he was deserting, feared that he had heard some alarming rumor of which they did not know "We'll let the mine go, boys, for I can't ask you to do what I refuse to do myself, and yet it's not fear that's sending me. There's a woman in danger and I must go She courted ruin to save us all, risked her honor to try and nght a wrong— and— I'm afraid of what has hap- pened while we were fighting here. I don't ask you to stay till I come back— it wouldn't be square, and you'd better go while you have a chance. As for me— I gave up the old claim once— I can do it again." He swung himself to the horse's back, settled into the saddle and rode out through the lane of belted men. lili I I I • i' :; f. CHAPTER XX IN WHICH THREE GO TO THE SIGN OF THE SLED AND BUT TWO RETURN AS Helen and her companion ascended the moun- r\ tain, scarred and sweot hv ♦J,- * moun- "That rain raised the deuce with thp frolic »» -j Struve, as thev oicked fh«,v 1 ^"^' ®**^ "Om" «;^^ ^ ^ **^®^^ ^^y past an unsightlv pi W "" "'' *"' "°""' ^-* °« t»^ <^3 C^- fjj^ " *^ '^^^^^* " "a' "o «sy task to avoid ttese danger qjots, for the horses floundereTon Se ^^^t^ '°'^- J''*"'"^ '"« Sin wondered how^e would find her way back in the darkness, as she hid pS She sa.d lutle as they approached the road-hCfor the thoughts within her brain had begun to <L!°r 368 A' THREE GO AND BUT TWO RETURN too wildly; bvt Stnive, more arrogant than ever be- They rounded a bend and saw th^ Q,or« «* ^u o« ^ a sled suspended from a S^mThlk ?'..''*"'« a quaint structure Tamblir', J "'! ""*" *"* fro,-i I ■ ?^^^" *'"^''^^ *^ad Changed to the river trail leaving the house lonesome and hieh as tiioul debt ^and'""""^ "T' ^'^^' ^^^ taken it ove^on^a trlffi.^ -T "^'^ ^* ^^'^ *^^ convenience of a sTend^ t^% T^^ stampeders. who chose the higher rout^ SpVctL^rh "• ""^ '^"""^ ^P-* thelSle hTrs m prospecting a hungry quartz lead and in doing assess- ment work on near-by claims. ^ ^ she had found m the north country. The n»L rX 369 t !i I ^! a ''■ i *■' mI- THB SPOILBIS held bar nnd gold-scales, a rude table, and a hure iron thi r,"!'^" ''' ^^"^ *"^ <=«i««« were sheetT^hS white cloth so cunningly stitched and t^^lhltit •eemed a cavern hollowed from chalk. It was fiiU w^th trebles of the hills, stutfed birds and a^imah do hL ^ r"""; '"r"'^o««' ^'^' ^^ articles of wt^ LvellelTh^^h"^' '''' '^ '"*^ ^« ^""^-°o« deeo To !h! ^^ """"^ *° ^^^P i" tie" three rt^ht.r^ r*'' ''*' * ^*^^«« *"d cache, to the nght a compartment which Struve called the art gal! lej. Here free r^ign had been allowed the oriXal owner's artistic Wcies, an ' he had covert theXe with pictures clipped from gazettes of questfonable Impute til It was a bewildering arrangemir o^pt k ladies m tights, pugilists in scanty tnSiks prize bin d^^s. and other less moral characlrs of tiifs^X" "This is probably the worst company you were ever a"t lightrsr'""^ "^ ^^'^'^' -^^^ ^"--^ ^tteL^J an^i^t'^v^'^^U^rs^frf^^^^^ ^^^ -'^ ^^' ^er "Travel is light at this time of the year. Thev'U come m later, perhaps. ^ ^ " ini wT ^"™'"^ ^ ^^'^ Pi"^ '°o"» where the land- ^rd had begun spreading the table for two. and °ts warmth was grateful to the giri. Her companio^ thoroughly at his ease, stretched himself on a fur^ covered couch and smoked. " ^«t n^e see the papers, now, Mr. Struve," she beean but he put her off. ' 5»neDegan, "No, not now. Business must wait on our dinner TBKBB GO AND BOT TWO RBTUBN D<»^a our little party, for the«>', time enough and i*U UolMg down the narrow gulch slie saw that the mountain, beyond were indistinct for it was gr^wtoe Tr^k^ ™n-d«>P Struck the glass before her eyes, then another and «K,ther, and the hills grew misty Vhind tlvT^l.^°^"- * *''»^«"" 'rith a pack oT^ back hnrn«i around the comerof the building and pMt l^^'o^^J^"" "''«■*"* «^-- -» -0 went "Thank Heaven, some one has come," she thought till that of the stranger raised itself in such indignant protest that she distinguished his words '"""'S^^* held^"' ^""^ ^°* "'°"^^ *° ^^^ ""^ "^^y- ^'"^ "° ^e^- Shortz mumbled something back. "I don't care if you are closed. I'm tired and there's a storm commg. " " « c a This time she heard the landlord's refusal and the mmer s angry profanity. A moment later she saw the traveller ploddmg up the trail towards town What does that mean r she inquired, as the lawyer re-entered. ^ "Oh, that fellow is a tough, and Shortz wouldn't let him m. He s careful whom he entertains— there are so many bad men roaming the hills." The German came in shortly to light the lamp, and. although she asked no further questions, Helen's un- easiness mcreased. She half listened to the stories with 371 TBB SPOILBIS excellent meal that was shortly served to them Strove mewwhde ate and dr«Uc imost grerf% ' ^T' ardi« had suddenly overtaken the |irl; and if at ttL iL^'i T "?" ^"' withdra^, slie woSd hTve ^P^t'^Jt'lT^""*" '""■"* the violence of *e lempest. But she had gone too far for retreat- aivi reah«ng that, for the present, apparent Z^^ ^ w!?h'^* "!?"n'..** "' 'i'^'- answeringafrnM morels h^^h"' 1" '>'*' «"" ""ehtef. his ^ more flushed, hts speech more rapid. He talkari i7 Studio ''"'"f ^''y^y. -o4 n^btC cigarettes and apparently unconscious of the flisht of Slf^^ ' ''I'i* ??"? remembered that she had not heuS J^^ :? *^' '"*'^f '°' " '°"8'™«- Suddenly St^ smiled on her peculiarly, with confident cunntag J^ he leered at her over the disorier between^m h^ took from h« pocket a flat bundle which he tos^ to "Now for the bai^gain, eh ?" .fcl'^'^?!""' *° '*"°^* these dishes," she said as she undid the parcel with clumsy fingers I sent him away two hours ago," said Strove aria, ing as If to come to her. She shrank back. bS h^ ^ cloth, and, twisting them together, carried the whole tog out, the dishes crashing and janglinras he Tr^w his burden recklessly into the kitchen. Then he^ turned and stood with his back to the stove, sTartL at her while she perused the contents of the pa^rsTu^ were more voluminous than she had sup^ THKBB 60 AMD BOX TWO KBT0KM .. .k^ J .^ ^* P*P*" ^*« only too obvious- and ^4^' T^l'" ""^^■' ^' «»°^ -' »'- •«u awnning. There was no possibility of mistake- ^^nJ,t^J^ ""'1^°' "" disiU-uionment. Helen E^^m!^ if knowledge that justice would at last «™^?*2- '!'«'"'<"» her triimphandher«ou! «ul her j^,^'- *' ""'' "* "" «y« 8'eaming "It is here." "Of course it is. Enough to convict us »ll It rr'.o*«n*~1"T.'!J^°" P-dol"nctand your lover. He stretched his chin upward at fhl S°° "y«"?'' *," '^ "' «•""" f^mrlnWsille' «.e ThatW^w k"" Pr*"="'"'y' *" he's the real TOu but rn J^'^ J ''~'«''* y°" •'*«■ He'U many you, out 1 11 be the best man " Th*. firr^u^ ri.- • ''^ was unpleasant. The tmibre of his voice •'Come, let us go," she said. Go, he chuckled, mirthlessly. "That's a fine «> ample of unconscious humor." ^^aisahneex- " What do you mean?" «n3f ' fu'^*' °° ^'^^'^ ^^'""S cou!d find his way down to the coast in this tempest; second-but Z^ ^e-way, let me explain something in those paoe^ while I think of it." He spoke casually and stepp^ about to give up, when something prompted her to ays s ' n T^B SPOILBIS ^T^h l^ ^*''"'^ u"* ^"""^'^ •"<" »^ ^^ well .he did. for h,. hand was but a few inche. away. He wa. „o Of ner dress. The sudden contact with Cherry's re- She turned, but his indolence vanished like a flash and springing m front of the door he barred ^w o«f «?! °"' '"^ **'^^' '^"^'^ °"8^*»* *° understand with- wL LTT*^ * u^ '"°'*- ^^y ^^d I bring you here ? In' away flT^'""'' ""'^^ ' u ^""^ ''^' ^"^ '"^^ roan away? Just to give you the proof of my com- phci^ in a crime. I suppose. Well, hanily.' You ZZl ^'*^\J«^ t^-"»«ht. And when you do. you won t ca^:- those papers-my own safety depends on ^ht'^caurr^'^'r^^^^^^^**^^- ^tenr They caught the wail of the night crying as though hungty for sacrifice. " No. you'U stay heil and-'' He broke off abruptly, for Helen had stepped to the telephone and taken down the receiver. He leaped snatched it from her. and then, tearing the Sstr^ment ^ h.llf r' *"^/P""^ *°^a«is her. but she wrench- «1 herself free end fled across the room. The man's white hair was wildly tumbled, his face was puirJe vans He stood still, however, and his Ups cracked into his ever-present, cautious smile "Now. don't let's fight about this. It's no use. for 374 THIBB GO AND BUT TWO »BTO»R it will U. while I lock up" """ """ "'""' Far down the mountain^de a man wa. u™in„ . jCs.o^A^'a^rJnT^Lr^^^^^^^^ -tS J" the animal stumbled and fell with it,^««!' ^°"**'^ "^^ except h,s haste, insensible to the rain which sZtehrm ul "h'^rid"' '" ''^ "^".' "^^^^ seized &?agely rxhr„!.!i ^f' °' ?^'^^ ^* *^i"» in the gullies wfth Lw thTlaThr • f •' ^i '^ «^^"^^ ^he pTateauTnJ saw the road-house light beneath, so drove his h«.l« in the air before something smote him and heTy still ^il?T*' t^'^ ^^"^ "P^""^^d to the riXwie about him the storm screamed exultantly. The moment Struve disappeared into the outer room Helen darted to the window. It was merelv f J^^ sash, nailed fast and immovable. brsekr„g^Le o tt httie stools beside the stove she thrust TthrLgh the glass letting in a smother of wind and w^er Before she could escape. Struve bounded into the 275 § 1,1 'ill 1 I TRB SP4ILBIS JJ«»^hi. Uc Uvid wi«. .„„,. u, voie. ho«» «rf tol«rfi.?J^ She wat very p,le Md her bimt StorT^^l^rfi '^"^ »o «»« h«i ever «en tC before, glowing hlce two jeweU whoee hearu coauinrf Jk« •?*■"? 'T'"' »* ««'»"'*"• ShehldXISrtJ though under the deft h«,d of . m«ter^?pC^hS noetnl, growing thin «.d Mched. her lip. tigh?p^ wKni^V" *•**««> window, over and past her though m gleeful applauM. Her bitter abhomma S She did not note the calculating treachery rftoi ^«. however, nor fathom the punx-e. te Sd to Out on the rain-nrept ^ountato the proetrate rider toward! the road-houae. Seen through the dark h« would have resembled «,me mieahapen* o^^inTmoS! «e^ tor he dragged himself. ^tile-UketX^^to S^e S^^w.. "■ !? *" "'»«.<=l<»«r the man heard a c^ winch the wind «emed guarding from hi, ear. anZ ^'Z 1'^:^^^'' '"^y ^<-«^. '^ THUB GO AND BUT TWO KBTURN Helen watched her captive closely at he backed through the door be/ore her, for the dared not loee ^ht of him until free. The middle room wat lighted by a glatt lamp on the bar and itt rayt thowed that the front-door wat tecured by a large iron bolt. She thanked Heaven there wat no lock and key. Struve had retreated until hit back wat to the counter, offering no word, making no move, but the darting brightnett of hit eyct thowed that he wat alert and planning. But when the door behind Helen, urged by the wind through the broken casement, banged to, the man made hit firtt lightniug-like tign. He dathed the lamp t© the floor, where it burtt Uke an egg- thell, and darknett leaped into the room at an ani- mal pouncet. Had the been calmer or had time for an inttanft thought Helen would have battened back to the light, but the was midway to her liberty and actuated by the sole desire to break out into the open air, so plunged forward. Without warning, she was hurled from her feet by a body which came out of the darkn«M upon her. She fired the little gun, but Struve's arms closed about her, the weapon was wrenched from her hand, and she found herself fighting against him, breast to breast, with the fury of despera- tion. His wine-burdened breath beat into her face and she felt herself bound to him as though by hoops, while the touch of his cheek against hers tuiaed her into a terrified, insensate animal, which fought with every ounce of its strength and every nerve of its body. She screamed once, but it was not like the cry of a woman. Then the struggle went on in silence and utter black- ness, Struve holding her like a gorilla till she grew faint and her head began to whirl, while darting lights 277 i 11' ! Wm 1:1 p m - I ' '' \ I 1 !■ • • 1 1 |. ; i ' I 1 i i |:|' . ; 1 ■ 1 1 s )■ i-' ,t:5 t;'|i 'J.I. THE SPOILERS drove past her eyes and there was the roar of a cataract m her ears. She was a strong girl, and her ripe young body, untried until this moment, answered in evei^ fibre, so that she wrestled with almost a man's strength and he had hard shift to hold her. But so violent an encounter could not last Helen felt herself drifting free from the earth and losing grip of all things tangible! when at last they tripped and fell against the inne; d<wr. This gave way, and at the same moment the nian s strength departed as though it were a thing of darkness and dared not face the light that streamed over them. She ^ore herself from his clutch and stag- gered into the supper-room, her loosened hair fallin? in a gleaming torrent about her shoulders, while he arose from his knees and came towards her again gasping: 6~". " I'll show you who's master here " Then he ceased abruptly, cringingly, and threw up Vr.^'I^I^'^ .^'! ^^^^ *' '^ *° ^^'^ ^ff a blow Framed in the window was the pallid visage of a man. The air rocked, the lamp flared, and Struve whirled completely around, falling back against the wall. His hZ If ,Tu ^"*°' *^^ '^^^^^ ^^^'^ ^here his hand had clutched at his breast, plucking at one spot as If tearing a barb from his bosom. He jerked his head towards the door at his elbow in quest of a re- treat, a shudder ran over him, his knees buckled and he plunged forward upon his face, his arm still doubled under him. Helen felt, rather than heard, the shot and saw her as^lant fall, she did not realize the meaning of it till a dnft of powder smoke assailed her nostrils. Even 378 THRBB 60 AND BUT TWO RETURN 80, She experienced no shock nor horror of the sight On the contrary, a savage joy at the spectacle seized her and she stood still, leaning slightly forward, star- ing at It almost gloatingly, stood so till she heard her name called. "Helen, little sister!" and. turning, saw her brother m the window. ^ That which he witnessed in her face he had seen before in the faces of men locked close with a hate- ful death and from whom all but the most elemental passions had departed-but he had never seen a wom- an bear the marks till now. No artifice nor falsitv was there, nothing but the crudest, intensest feeline which many people live and die without knowing There are few who come to know the great primitive passionate longings. But in this black night, fighting in defence of her most sacred self, this girl's nature had been stnpped to its purely savage elements. As Glen- ister had predicted. Helen at last had felt and yielded to irresistibly powerful impulse. Glancing backward at the creature sprawled by the door. Helen went to her brother, put her arms about his neck, and kissed him. "He's dead.?" the Kid asked her. She nodded and tried to speak, but began to shiver and sob instead. "Unlock the door." he begged her. "I'm hurt and I must get in." When the Kid had hobbled into the room, she pressed him to her and stroked his matted head, regardless of his muddy, soaking garments. "I must look at him. He may not be badly hurt " said the Kid. ' "Don't touch himi" She followed, nevertheless, »79 W I 11 'nil t lit : I < } r t ! ! Li ! ■ J ' i •: I THB SPOILBIS weak and pale, and the girl led him iSrthltin "^ nunation had sustained him thus far anrf nr^ «f kn^^ledge of his help.es«,ess se^^S top^^L'SIlen-: The Kid would not hear of her going for helo till the storm abate* or daylight came insiftW th« th^ ^^ T'!,*^ treacherous and that no t^mf coSw ^ At kstV°T '^- J""" ">«y waited for a^Twu onlyT^Mrhul^es'"-'^^''- "^"'^ '« »o -Uc!. die and I'm afraid?' ^e m^ed^tm^'B^ror^d hobWed m. g aring with unquenched hatred yes, you re going to die and I did it R» «.™. can't you? I sha'n'f i.t i,_. t , . °* game, light." ""ant let her go for help until day- a^t^^'^Vabbr """^ "-■' --o ^ »~he«nt A little later, when the Kid seemed stronger and hl- stoZ w°' ^IJ"^' '••* "«"• '^«' her hj~ "f 1 stonng JUS .ee. She told him of the attack pUmS mmers. He questioned her closely and, realizing the THEBB GO AND BUT TWO RBTURN l^ellund" '''''' ^"P* ^ ^^^ ^-^' ^-ting the wind "We'll have to risk it." said he "Tfi*» «,• ^ • ^^hTr^J^^^^'^^^^^^^^tillA'iighJ^' "'^"^ ^^ She pleaded to go alone, but he was fiS -T'li leave you again, and. moreover I know^L , ^ " T^.f quite well W^^'ii «J j , ' *^*^ow the lower trail ^ch town S ' C°Tt.f ./t" *? the valley and dangerous." ^' ' '"**'' •»« '»'« not so "You can't ride," she insisted. the L'C" '""'" ''^ "* '«° *"« ^-Id'e. Come, get its violence when she helnM^l o'' *" """'S'' ««d by The effort wrenched a J^f„f "?"" '"*° >>" ^«<Jd'e upon her tyi^ WsteCtlf.^ u""' ""' ''* '"'^^^ that the t4i« ^ih'^fhe 4urJ1 1'''''-"'?^^ of faUing again • so hLI^ "« could take no chance vices shI St &; <S!.^ Ptrforaed the last ser- animal and aUot^ it m ™L •"' """"'^ ^er own descent blhindT^broS;/,'^,'*' ''^>"'°"'' *•>« steep drunkenly in hi seat *' ' ^''° f^'-ed and lurchS with both h^dT ' ^^^"^ ** ''°™ ''«f°« Wm hoS^TiSXCsV':^o£thet''l"'''~"'°*- before the%x,ad-htuse d«r ?,, " '""'*"^ and dishevelled, tng htoself n "n J\"""'-=**'''«* ground and bolted in rtr^ugh rt", ^^^ "^"^ '» 'he signs of confusion in ti,« „ ? • "® **" the bmken, th^ arw^fe^:"SL?!™' f^'^ "P-' and thecounterashatteriLTntp'riS ^"h^^^^ m III ! i m- it THB SPOILERS loudly, but. receiving no answer, snatched a light wUcl he found burning and ran to the door at his left Nolh ing greeted him but the empty tiers of bunks Turn mg. he crossed to the other side and burst ihro«^ Another lamp was lighted beside the couch wSfn Struve lay. breathing heavily, his lids half dos^ arhis feetanl T\ ^°^ "°*^ '^' P-t of tc^ at Ills feet and the broken window: then setting down his lamp, he leaned over the ma^ and 'spoke to When he received no answer he spoke again loudlv -You're too late.-rm dying-and I'm afraid " His questioner shook Struve again " Where « «Ha ?'• he repeated, time after time, till by very forcHJ h s own^ insistence he compelled realization irthe sul fh'lJt- ^'^ *°°^ ^°' *^^y- T^e Kid shot me " and The Kid shot me and I'm dying " He c<mahliy7 a to his lips, at which Roy lai^ hL ba"k ^nd'sttd °u^ So there was no mistake, after all. and he had arrivS Se^sru^k ^^',^,r^^« Kid's revenge. Thltas how ne struck. Lackir.ji courage to face a man's level pv^«: ?e1tTwlf '•'' 'T''' '^ P^^y "P- - ~ Roy nis eye feli upon a sodden garment which Helen had aSa THMB aO AHD BUT TWO MTOW a sudden fury felt it ZT '' ?"*"* *^^ Aoor and in tissue-paper!^ * ** '°'"" ^P*^ >° his hands like wS He found himself out in th* ,-• trampled soil by light of his lam^ J"j. ''^^"'^infir the which thedrizzfe ht :L^l'ZX^ hT"""^ ^^^^^^ chMiically that the two rid^sT^M L '^^"^"^ '"«■ of him. so strode out beyonrth? ^i ^^ "° «^^* "^^^ gone farther into theS The^T *° '"" ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ therefore they must have do«wI! T'f "° *"«^^« here, It did not ocLr to hirthat i!^ ^"l '^"'^^ *°^°' beaten path and followed^dow^^^^ the nver; but. repladng the light wheVe he h^^T''^*^ *^^ remounted and lashed his horTe ^tn ^i""^"^ ^*' h® towards the divide that iL ^!! \^ ^^'^ ^^^^^ «P The story was g-wtng i L^^^^^^ the city' he could not piece it aTiT^ *? ^' ^^^^ ^ yet subbed h™ w.^n.4* Ca\ Sei^o^i^!? this girl as though she ^^ZT^'^. ^^"^ °''^ »ust overtake Lfficn^etlf/'^l •""*«'' »* that he might not threw hto^? J"" P°«*iKty mental chaos that br^iTfo^ ^* "?«°^«™'ble Men went mad that wav H.T^«^ '^^ "■"«««• That gasping cr^w^i^ T'** ■"" t^'"* of it. well of the B,S^llSr„T'"''°r "P""^* <* too those who had C^'^Si^ ?''?,"• *■"* 5^**' "'«' <>( that his vileness wrsottte;'artw:r ' "°"" ''''"- his^a tt-ei'srvefK; r""^. "«>'• waiting impatiently his riju^^^lf^^^^ ^^^^ i pi! THE SPOILBIS ri^ jmn. Down in the vaUejr to hi. left ww, the two he foUowed, while he, ob^Med «>d anreMoniag. Mw cumaj hlce . m,dm^, now grim «>d «ZI I . I :lli i I !(?!;■■ i :. 1 CHAPTER XXI THB HAIIMBR-LOCK had not slept for two days and niehte Th. I!v^ii tion did not reassure the young mfn for W^ tJS ""' a weapon which must not M fn^^'.SS,^ .^^ '" now that there was work to do Ev,^te^n"r "" speculation upon his physical haTdi^p off^*^* however from the agony which fed upon b^en^t ^«n!J^ ^*' «"'*""S at his master's viol^ plunged onward towards the roofs of Nome now i^ uig gray in the first dawn. ' *™*" •fhi* ^^ ^^ ^°'=* ^°y ^^ «en the sunlight for Ion. *H-' ^'"'^ '^^ ^""P™^- had b^XtiX lonr H,s body was faint beneath the strain lnd^!j he rode on and on, tired, dogged, st»ny.^'^^* towards the sea, his mind a sto?m of foriiC Stolid aWet^S.""'- "" - -"^eviaS-t;!^? He knew now that he had sacrificed tU hope of the 28s u M m j I I 1^: I 1 'ii:l 1^ THE SPOILBIS Midat. Md Ukewise the hope of Helen was gone; in fact he began to realize dimly that from the beginning he had never had the possibility of winning her. that she had never been destined for him. and that his love for her had been sent as a light by which he was to find «i?i u u ^/f ^*!I^ everywhere, he had become an K?- ;.*% *^ '2"*^?* ^^ 8^°"* ^°^' «^rtain only of his rectitude and the mastery of his imruly spirit. Now the hour had come when he would perform his last mission, deriving therefrom that satisfaction which the gods coi^d not deny. He would have his vengeance. The scheme took form without conscious eflFort on his part and embraced two things -the death of the gambler and a meeting with McNamara. Of the former, he had no more doubt than that the sun nsmg there would sink in the west. So well con- firmed was this belief that the detaUs did not engage his thought; but on the result of the other encotmter he speculated with some interest. From the first McNamara had been a riddle to him, and mystery breeds cunosity. His blind, instinctive hatred of the man had assumed the proportions of a mania; but as to what the outcome would be when they met face to face, fate alone could tell. Anyway, McNamara should never have Helen-Roy believed his mission covered ttiat point as well as her deliverance from the Bronco ut u^ !u ^^ ¥*^ finished-he would pay the price. If he had the luck to escape, he would go back to his hills and his olitude; if he did not. his future would be m the hands of his enemies. He entered the silent streets unobserved, for the mists were heavy and low. Smoke columns arose a86 TBB RAMHBI.LOCK wi^'dnl^r*"**'- Th.~n had ce.«d. having hS^ «1? .?• ""^ "'''* """Wed agaiMt^ beach, filhng the .treet. with their subdued &und^ of Sledge bhuid with the fint lull, while midway to .W i^™:!' *V^" '" """« •""» failing, ita™ « Lh! 1^"%*!?* "^""^ ^'^"^ ^*^* ^^««dless of danger heed- a^i^' *"^^,?^ J»« «»«ny's Stronghold. He passed a sto^ at IhT? • ^ r" '*^" °"* unsteadily and stared at the horseman, then passed on. *n?^^'*^*i? P^*" ""*" *° ^° '^'^^8^^t to the Northern and from there to track down its owner relenttessT hi m^H .hi "^r * ^*"*^"- ™^ ^'^"ght back to Th?l^ ? r,?'' ^^'°^ °"* ^^"'■^ *«° "^"es at his back. ^Lntirnno!'* t^f '^ ^r^^^^ ^^t assistance be sent at once Yet he dared not give word openly, thus betraying his presence, for it was necessaJy thkt b^ maintjun his liberty during the next hour aTa^ ha^^^s ho'rT wv l^ *^"t* °' *° ^^P^^^^t and reined TS horee, which stopped with wide-spread legs and deject- ed head while he dismounted and climbed the stairs to teaye a note upon the door. Some one would see the message shortly and recognize its urgency In dressing for the battle at the Midas on the pre- "mull!!lf * l^^ '^^^'"^ ^'^ ^«^t^«^ hoots 4h mukluks, which are waterproof. Ught. and pHable footgear made from the skin of seal and walrus. He was thus able to move as noiselessly as though in moccasins i>i 1 : 1 : H T ^ : J i 1 If TBB SPOILfilS Finding neither pencil oor paper in hit f>oclmt h* fw^ •twed inude and listened, then moved towardt a t^Ie on which were writing material., but in doSg^S hMrd a ruitie m Struve't private office. Evidently hU ■oft iolee had not disturbed the man inside Www th^!?. •*^'°'*- ^* " '"^ ^^^ involuntary sounds TJ^ thanT I^r '"^ '"'^'^ ^^"^y mo^^stinctly GZi.t.r"Jrj^!i^i"^- A »*««?« eagerness grew ii Hv Tf L ^ ""^ ?• approached the partition stealth- ily. It was of wood and glass, the panes clouded and ?ZVi: "'^"'i'^ '^^ *^^ '^^^ ^«* stepping u^n knelt m a litter of papers before the open safe iu tents scattered. The watcher lowered himself drew in^ T; r'l^J*'^. r'i *^*"' "P^'^ *^« <i«>'-knob. tu^ ::L^'t:m::?hr'^'"^^"- «« -ngeanJe had thii:^h Jr?, '" ""^^^ ^''^^"S^ *^* ^<>°« ««ht. certain that the Vigilantes would spring his trap McN^ra was ^tounded at news of the bfttle at thi M^d «^rr^rTh?T«d «««*<>--» and cursed his ,;::« Si, I!r^' T ^""^^^ ^^""^^ »^«**^y exercised over this new development, which, coupled with his night '!^L^'k^' '"^"^ ^'"^ ^ * Pi^i^^l hysteria.^ « ! /"^y " J>^o^ «^ wp next. Great Heavens! Dv- namitel Oh. that is barbarous. For Heavens sake get the soldiers out. Alec." ^*' "Ay. we can use them now." Thereupon McNamara roused the commanding officer at the post anT ,2? 2iS 'I., ; [k.jMJi^^ m^wm TBB BAMIIBI.LOCI quetted him to accoutre a troop and have them ready to march at daylight, then bestirred the Judge to ttait tfte wheeU of hit court and invoke thii miliury aid in regular fashion. /•«*•» "Make it all a matter of record," he said. "Wa want to keep our skirts clear from now on." BtiUman. "They'll tear us to pieces." \^^\iT ^7' °"*'* ^ *** '"y ^»"^ on *»»• ring, leader, the rest may not and be damned " Although he had made less dispUy th a had the Judge, the receiver was no less deeply . ^rried about «S kJ/ZiT r "!J? "*''• *^""*- "•» >«'°««y • '«nned to red heat by the discovery of her earlier defection, was ^anced fourfold by the thought of this last adventure. Something told him there was treachery afoot, and when she did not return at dawn he began to fear that she had cast m her lot with the rioters. This aroused a per- fect dehnum of doubt and anger till he reasoned fur- ther that Struve, having gone with her, must also be a traitor. He recognised the menace in this fact, know- ing the man s venality, so began to reckon carefully its si^ificance. What could Struve do ? What proof had Il^lw"; tr!"* »**^*^' *»d' ^^^g his hat, hurried straight to the lawyer's office and let himself in with the key he earned. It was light enough for him to decipher toe characters on the safe lock as he turned the com- bination, so he set to work scanning the endless bundles withm, hoping that after all the man had taken with him no mcnminating evidence. Once the searcher paused at some landed sound, but when nothing came of it drew his revolver and laid it before him just in- side the safe door and close beneath his hand, continu- 289 \l J- TBB tPOILBIS When h. ^^^.^tS^VVuT'."^' •Ught to «Unn .nd just •uffid^ !L^^,^''^* ^ l«ip«l to hit feet, faced about !«^ genuine that he cretive inttinct ^t^^^' JSt S^^^^u^^ " '^ rwnl iU contents. He haSMJS ^ "though to before realiaing Sat hi wIJ^?! ""^.^^ ^™P«J«* now, although th? doJrTZ^ T*! *^***' •"<* *h»t require tha? onrda^" ""* '^^^' '' ^d jjp^.^ ««wouf, yet, fatal, lecond to the oMermM't face. SS^rfT""*.'** *'^**- » • dogged .nd grim^.^tS^^M^v*' ''°™*""' perturbation left hta^ X 1 "'Nanur.-, flm biMed forth unhidden ~°'*»^' ""d hu purpose He ftood there unkempt and aoiled th. -i. <rf )«w and throat overgiiwnwitt rVi.^ clean tweep •tubble, hi. hair wet iSd mj^ \u^ fay.' black foul ^ft day whe« ThTS^ "nlf Vj *"* A muddy red ttreak reread ioZJ^J^f darkne... above his temple, beneatt. hk ev^J^ ^ * «» while the flicker at MTnZt^ "* '''«8*'* *<>"«. high nervous plt^to'Twrh^wrk^ed*"*"^*' *' havil;'::tr«ttn^*'«-«'''-^= -wel, The politician shrugged hi. should.™. "You ^vi THB BAJIJIBB.LOCK Pwn on me till •hooiinl.^^^i I"* '.•?* y""- '»'• hod th. feeling" wTrm f^" * "i**^>' ""• =ver o» you with nfy jJ, ";„'jT'^'"' *" """" *' "'• »"» ""'''""•™ •quared hiniielf. you .peek .bout ? h.T.^S^;^."* ' '"""' "" '-«>« which lent ttHp^i^i' ', '"^ do.* -drawn belt by the neclc .„d "KS^ Hri^S*^' ^"'l,''-"' men. and he reaioned tw •« •/ **' '^**-'' better te« in th.«^"^ ^uVrti'V"" *° • P""-"" would moie thwTo&et .n^^ •' ""^ '^^ '"^h^ might pou^ ■^u>^l*T"'", "^^y «"« "i*" mo« m»Uy he longed to „tSy it ' "^ *' •«»mr In rht.^T*-" r*'" °'""*"- "Now turn StoHU y^S-^l^"* wanted to ..e if you were oiifif ' yf^r "'•^ McNamara. •KSS^hSlwSf ^•*°°*" «Pon the «fe and with the «Siv« T1, ** ^^»»tage more strongly with^thTMidt »d «chta 'a^*Jl'^ ""^"^ ^ ^o fierce enmitv An/^f ^^ "''*"«* ^'""g their enm'ty. And it was meet that they diould S91 !1 w m. if?^.'' I' 'ii ;t; :{: THB SPOILERS come together thus. It had been the one certain and Qgical event which they had felt inevitably aXa^- they should fight alone and unwitnessed, armed only w^«i the weapons of the wilderness, for th;y we!^ S «d had h;/r ^^°i%^«'^ ^°th of the fighter's type. and had both warred for the first, great prize They met ferociously. McNamara aimed a fearful ctv'eriv st^?"*'' "'*. """^ '"""^'"'y' beaS.g httff Cleverly, stepping m and out. his arms swinging looselv from h« shoulders like whalebone withes Spped wfth lead. He moved lightly, his footing made doubJ^ cure by reason of his soft-soled mukluks. RecS .tr^rr'i ^''"*^' ^'^«^'' h« undertookSy to stop the headlong rushes and remain out of re^ch m long as possible. He struck the politician fa rlv iTth^ fiTwe" '^l^ :S' T;^ ^-^ sLpperbfckl^ li th^ZT ^ J ?^?' ^^^°'^ *^« ^^s could grasp him non^rr ^- f^ **^ "K""' sweep ng his oo- »!!fr,, "? "^ '***• ■*8"° Glenister's L shot tor- Zl . '/.'r?,"* «"">'*'• •»** '"e other came on h«^ big niim s brow. A sudden darting agony paralvx^ .^■. ?• !.'°"" '^^*^- MeNamara had pas^ under his extended arm and seized him by the m^^ then thrusting his left leg back of iSy 's. he Xirf hm. from his balance, flinging him cl«i i,d ,^fh rt^ Mtless force. It seemed that a fatal £aU m-Mt^oUow 99a ' THB HAMMER. LOCK but the youth squirmed catlike in the air. landing with set muscles which rebounded Uke rubber. Even so the receiver was upon him before he could rise, reachine for the young man's throat with his heavy hands Roy recognized the fatal "strangle hold." and. seizing his enemy's wrists, endeavored to tear them apart, but his left hand was useless, so with a mighty wrench he freed himself, and. locked in each other's arms, the men strained and swayed about the office till their neck veins were bursting, their muscles paralyzed Men may fight duels calmly, may shoot or parry or thrust with cold deliberation; but when there comes the jar of body to body, the sweaty contact of skin to Skin, the play of iron muscles, the painful gasp of ex- halation— then the mind goes skittering back into its dark recces while every venomous passion leaps forth from its hiding-place and joins in the horrid war They tripped across the floor, crashing into the par- tition, which split, showering them with glass. They fe 1 and rolled in it; then, by consent, wrenched them- selves apart and rose, eye to eye, their jaws hanging, their lungs wheezing, their faces trickling blood and Tf*;, ?;°^'' ^®^* ^^"^ P^^"^^ ^i°^ excruciatingly, while McNamara's macerated lips had turned outward m a hideous pout. They crouched so for an instant cruel, bestial— then clinched again. The office-fitting^ were wrecked utterly and the room became a litter of ruins. The men's garments fell away till their breasts were bare and their arms swelled white and knotted through the rags. They knew no pain, their bodies were msensaie mechanisms. Gradually the older man's face was beaten into a shapeless mass by the other's cunning blows, whUe 893 TBB SPOILBKS Glenister's every bone was wrenched and twisted nnH he met this great, snarling cr^at^"^ ^Z% hi h.ther and yon as though he were a Tuid Cl ^ the blood mama. Their trampling feet caS th judge Stillman and Voorhees came down from the hot p1 and paused to gaze through the mi^ I? a caraval of mule teams which trotted into the oth^ ^H ?f the street with jingle and clank tL Z °^ ttv^:L»'*'7;/''* ^'y^ ™^-^^^ C Z^nfft'f *t^ T"* ^'^^ f" the Midas Out of the fogs which clung so thicklv to thTi^A there came two other horses, distorted aid utS^^n r^r'- °" *''* "*''" » ««""= of painTid^grfT a grotesque creature that swayed stiffly to the mS' »94 THB HAMMBR-LOCK of its steed, its face writhed into lines of suffering its hands clutching cantle and horn. It was as though Fate, with invisible touch, were setting her stage for the last act of this play, assembling the principals close to the Golden Sands where first they had made entrance. The man and the girl came face to face with the Judge and marshal, who cried cut upon seeing them, but as they reined m, out from ihe stairs beside them a man shot amid clatter and uproar. !!2Jr® ™® * hand— quick!" he shouted to them. ^^ What's up ?" inquired the marshal. "It's murder! McNamaraandGlenister!" He dashed back up the steps behind Voorhees, the Judge foUow- ing, while muflBed cries came from above. The gambler turned towards the three men who were hurrying from the beach, and, recognizing Wheaton called to him : " Untie my feet ! Cut the ropes ! Quick !"' " What's the trouble ?" the lawyer asked, but on hear- ing Glenister's name bounded after the Judge, leaving one of his companions to free the rider. They could hear the fight now, and all crowded towards the door, Helen with her brother, in spite of his warning to stav behind. ' She never remembered how she climbed those stairs for she was borne along by that hypnotic power which drags one to behold a catastrophe in spite of his will. Reaching the room, she stood appalled; for the group she had joined watched two raging things that rushed at each other with inhuman cries, ragged, bleeding, fighting on a carpet of debris. Every loose and break- able thing had been ground to splinters as though by iron slugs in a whirling cylinder. 295 THB SPOILBIS to^e A JS' ^" ?'^rr *° ** Strait., horn Uni h^. ^ .^°« camp-fiiw or in dingy buni W«:jmd altho^rh «m.e .cout the t.rSJn m^ fa ^. ZT**' "" '** *• '»"'• ot bS moose in the rutting season, thoueh more t*rriKi. avemng that two men like th«e L^T ^ ' known in the land since the da^l?,^^ '^J^ taa crew; for their rancor had .woll«^^ «ii V? ."" apparent notice of the inteirun^^ !l « f' '"*°"* It was seen rtiiri„^ *u- ""*7"P*»o°. the fight went on. waT ™^tag "^^ *^ 'SS'^*\** McNamara's mouC^ while eve^^^rete^'^'lhtSaU'" ^S'*"^ "^I'- he,«ir , Jng: " Strtle^T^^V "But-no*^"* ^"t:^n?a.^\^";i'"*r'"- ^eh^nlh^l^th" gWis'sU.T^!:,^^--^--^^^^ Judge was ashy, imbecile, helpless * wh'^'^i^rs^^frhfm'^rtrhr "• r"*"^*- •9« THB HAMMBR-LOCK man6a sluggishly, his ribs seemed broken, his back was weak, and on the inner side of his legs the flesh was quivenng As they came together the boss reached up lus nght hand and caught the miner by the face, bury- ing thumb and fingers crablike into his cheeks, forcing his slack jaws apart, thrusting his head backward, ^le he centred every ounce of his strength in the effort to maim. Roy felt the flesh giving way and flung himself backward to break the hold, whereupon the other summoned his wasting energy and plunged towards the safe, where lay the revolver. Instinct warned Glenister of treachery, told him that the man had sought this last resource to save himself, and as he saw him turn his back and reach for the weapon, the youth leaped like a panther, seizing him about the waist, grasping McNamara's wrist with his right hand For the first time during the combat they were not face to face, and on the instant Roy realized the ad- vantage giveii him through the other's perfidy, realized the wrestler's hold that was his, and knew that the mo- ment of victory was come. The telling takes much time, but so quickly had these things happened that the footsteps of the soldiers had not yet reached the door when the men were locked beside the safe. Of what happened next many garbled accounts have gone forth, for of all those present, none but the Bronco Kid knew its significance and ever recounted the truth concerning it. Some claim that the yotmger man was seired with a fear of death which multiplied his enor- mous strength, others that the power died in his adver- sary as reward for his treason; but it was not so. No sooner had Roy encompassed McNamara'swaist «97 X, TBB SPOILBIS from the rear than he slid his damawd fc.«^ the other's chest and around the W^ u*"^ ? P*» bringing his own left armcl^nnAtl'' ''^^' ^^"^ armpit, wedging the i^eiv^, T'^l' ^ ^^'"y'- !«'< with his othfr hand he ^!;S the n^^^/ ""^^^ wrist close to the revclvefS^hnSf- P°Jf*<^?° » ^ght which could not bTbToken ^^S* ^°**°« ^im in a grasp two bodies set the,^t^-«,^,7^^^^^^ was no lungine about "fT,,. ^"*® *"** "8^*^- There «nd it became a contest f,w- " ^ "K""* "m «.d down, the fury o'^ n^^^^^iX it tTf "^^ formless patterns in the air Ztlu-T^^ *° *""* Namara ,W him^lTbut fce^^ fj^"^- "'' safe and could not escao. h;. I TJ°". '«"'»* 'he the lock of the ^^'fS; «1 "^^^"^ '°"'»^ by theb,eath doggrSSi^fhr: "lW^\tt5'' *^" toil his right hand moved back «I .hti «■ . 8"e»o<M a bit while the blooll^^tu^ ?^1? *"*«' but he found that th. i~,» c "urenng from his eyes, were like m« wdrt^ ™>!.*^.*''""="'« ^is ,^s^ hiUsandthfii^r^XT^Jyth'S-j' *' defeat. Slowly inch bv ,„^i. .i '^ ""* •"«» "o dragged bacrd'o^ p«t Ws '^i' ^^ T'" "" "» labor of his breatT^^^J^'afwL?' w "1* "*""«"■« muzzle of the eunde«ih!r ■ ?* "'*' ^-^t. The hands begi;rrt«*^t™xiT''*'" ■"'«*«' now. across his broad btTk S «f l*"'f"»« ^apMly wrenched, but uselessly. He st^ve tS fir ^^'"^ """* but his fingers were woven aSs^tw ^' r'*P'»- would not work. Then tt,. „• ? * ** hammer ward. ** """^ began forcing up- 198 < t TBB BAMUI-LOCK wJ^t«tel!L"!?° '*"'* *•■• •="'• 'trip* «rf clothing J^r f.^ h qmmed. Helen, watching in silrat terror, felt her brother iinking his fingers intTw shoulder and hearf him pantinf, hi, fa^Tbl^^rt ^^•^•' ""'5 *«.''~«n.. L-sci^TtSaTelS repeated time and again: Bv '!li^*i*?I^*"^°^^-~*^* hammer-lock." ,,««; I? T ^cNamara's arm was bent and cramoed S;7^^.ciira%':!sSn^ti"M'^i- of 8 Strong man overcome with agony McN^i^ went to his knees and sagged tor^^TZ'toi^^Jt rite walT h?. hlf T' '"'*? ""* ^«'^ the oppc^ SfThTrlfl ' dragging in the litter, bringing^ with outflung arms as though fearful of falUngf ^a^ mg, bhnd, exhausted, his face blackened by the e^^^ "7 ^ *• r°''e'. yet rim with the BgiroKi^ Judge Sfllmar shouted, hysterically: ^^' Arrest that man, quickl Don't let him gol" It was the miner's first realisation that othera wer. a^nst the partition, then groaned the words: my L^i *' *'"*°' and-^d-I broke him with- ' *l •1' ! !. ' 1, ijjj imi CHAPTER XXII TRB FROMIIB 09 DIIAMt *»»««, tUl«an. on. .t the h«>d of th««2™lhoSS ssLVcht* . ««™„, ^ that ««..»«,'':, Then one <rf the receiver-a faction called: "Let', hang h.m. He IdUed ten cf our men C ni^" Hetei wmced, but StUtoun, roused to a SMtrf^. OfficCT hold thae people back. Ill attend to thi. »«»^The Uw. in my h«.ds and I'U make him hi,"fr^"^''^ «~»'°« '™» «>« floor, r^ J T^ swmgmg from the shoulder straneelv loose ud distorted, with palm twisted outWMdSe hjs battered face was hideous with pain W^drf^ He growled broken maledictions at hi^ ene^ ^~*- aJ5T' ?f»°'"'«' ^^ nothing, for as the savage lust &ed m him he realized that the whirling facaUf^ was still at large, and that his vengeance was but S JOT* THB FIOMISB OP DKBAHS ^ .guani., he c^ahJ^t^J i^P^T^ »>y ptnion and paused deJ^fc? • * ^'l *°^ ^' «»»- **Ah ♦u^-l^^^' *^}®*"*>fi^ his vision slowlv Moulder. ^*^ ^"P'^' ^ '*^ *«"«<1 back over hi^ thS wayrt5l?,"!f&,^' !«- -?« Wheaton ba„^ Roy-" ^^^* *^**''* "P » minute-^t's aU right, "Ay, BiU— it's all rieht W. At a ^ w»e done by . dr ^il.^^'^';^-^* '« me up— but I dont care Ihlla: '•"^ ">•"•««! naked h«uj.. OiJtTkcU^f^"^*^ ^ ""■♦••dily at the bou ii.T~^f^ . "* mocked d-hevdled «.d Arilly iSe """^ "" "* Bufv^^tcn^k^^pC wLtt^" *» ^■" if eyes upon him .«;««. '' *■" ''°°° <*n*^ you wm wear th. sh«ckl« y<S™ ^n^ '"" '^"^ • *""» ««-»• ^- twor';r ;iu, ^^i";;;;^ 301 > J ^ ' f" THB SPOILBIS potttiet and your puUt; but it's our tuni noir. « we U make you dance for the mines you gutted and tl robb«i« yoL've done and the nin ^Ve^i mnk Heaven there's ont honest court and I happenc to find it." He turned to the stranger who hidi ^^^^"^^^^^1^?' "5^' "Serve tho. warranu, and they stepped forward. The uproar of the past few minutes had brought me running from every direction tiU, finding nV^ a the stairs they «had massed in the street below whil the word flew from lip to lip concerning this clcsin scene of thdr drama, the battle at the Midas, the grea fight «P;Jtairs. and the anest by the 'Frisco depSS Like Sindbad's genie, a wondrous tale took sha^frw the rumors Men shouldered one another eagerly for i S^^^ t W^'^r *"^ r^*" *^* P"*" «*«*««1 out greeted it with voUeys of questions. They saw the unconscious marshal borne forth, followed by the old Judge, now a palsied wretch, slinking beside his captor a very shel of a man at whom they jeered. Wheii diapm. their voices rose menacingly. The pack was S!S*^*^ Sf*^* ^T **' ^"*' *^°^^ ^^^ ««d crip- pled, he bent upon them a visage so full of defiance and contemptuous maUgnity that they hushed themselves, and their final picture of him was that of a big man do^ed but unbeaten to the last. They began to cry for Glcmister. so that when he loomed in th^doonr^ a ragged, heroic figure, his heavy shock low over Us eyes, his unshaven face aggressive even in its weari- ness, his corded arms and chest bare beneath the flut- tenng streamers, the street broke into wild cheering. Hers was a man of their own, a son of the NorS- THB FIOMISB OP ilBAMS iMdwho labored and loved and fought in a war thm '"Jwtood, and he had come into STdue '^ ^ JT^i • ^•^P ?* •^•^ "^ *«*P* Wheaton. He ST?**^ companion talking, but gnuped only that the attorney gloated and gloried. ^^^15'/^ «^"~- Arrested in their very dow^ )^wtI»-Hated for contempt of court-that's what they Me^ They diMbeyed thoie other write, and to I got ••I broke hie arm," muttered the miner. a htt e while just tl tame, and we have broken tho rmg. "It snapped at the shoulder," the other continued, duUy. "just like a shovel handle. I felt it-but he tned to kill me and I had to do it." The attorney took Roy to his o^bin and dressed his wounds, talkmg incessantly the while, but the boy was hke a sleep-walker, displaying no elation, no excite- ment, no joy of victory. At last Wheaton broke out: Cheer up! Why, man, you act Hke a loser. Don't you reahse that we've won? Don't you understand that the Midas is yours ? And the whole world with it ?" Won?" echoed the miner. "What do you know about it BiU ? The Midas-the world-what good are they ? You're wrong. I've lost-yes— I've lost every- thing she taught me, and by some damned trick of Pate •he was there to see me do it. ;:Vow, go away ; I want to sleep. He sank upon the bed with its tangle of blanketo and ^t THB SPOILIIS WM ««iBKJout Mm th. Uwyw |»d eovmd hi. -J?^u'"«Z like • d«rt nan till bito in the after. ■Mwenng Wkeaton't oil. ud fell upon Urn huarthJ They ihook Roy into conidou»MM^rithto™Srt2' th« tonnM* from hit miuclet, emngins phyiiciaiy fiT fallSlM^ <ll«icripti<« of th. fight Irith .b«»b«I "J?f 1. °^''' *^'" *"*» "ouTrful compUinf him 1^ firi"'' "^ "^ *• •««>» *» •« m burt .t°h.t!^' • "~*'^ '^* ioop~aideIi^ •netted he iwora in eighteen dieferent Uncuami mJ^ r^x? "^y '^-"^ ^4t?LThS P««dm Oh. I h.ve tore mitted ..plenty tonJay. M rinm-miU^ of Ute. ri,owia> t«l lik of new ideS? J^A I jmght hnye ttumMtted «Hnethin' robu^ ^^ ",«?>'««»• « I'd been here. No. S- . ^^ diS > ■"**?• r°"""** "•'• kept me .«y. • mJ^T<^ '* »ound when the butted?" insitted the morhd Simmt, but Glenitter refuted to dit<»u. uj "Come on, SUp." taid the old protpector "let-. «. down-town. I'm to het up I c™:^ K.' Qid« TObbe we am get the ttory the way it really hap^.S' 304 THB PIOXISB OP ilBAMS from loniebody who ain't bound an' namd »n» «.kt^.^ fonnad by «.ch unbeconSTmSa.tiS^Rl'^JS?^ JJ^ into vainlyville with them p^lonS^^* ^jcaaie th^ read about at thrillin' m a coo£J«>k' aU^.^' •crimmage. an' they're all diff^«at aS' •U better 'n your account." iti poiae he realised what he had done. af J ^f«v^' •" 'f^'^'" ^* «~^«1' "•»<* that after aU my itnving. I wanted to leave that oart h^ «c«ng. 1 have loet her confidence, ye»— and what i. ^orie. infinitely wo«e. I have lost my W^ She'Ial r^fi 'S^*' "^ >' I ^•^^ "Other chance I will. I W t^ I've been tried too hard, thaff all." the'r^r K^dt?H^^'* ^•^ ^* <"- *<> -'«^* SdJl V^i; ;^* "^^^^^^ ^***«^ h»«««l' with diffi. culty, oflFenng in explanation : other." *" ^^ ""^ ''' ^^^^ <rf one kind or an. coZfi^f^* ?T^ *f.^ "°^' ^«* ^« wouldn't let me ^ alone, and I could not wait. " the girl supplement^ whUe her ey«i avoided Glenister's in strange heSatiS' *^virf^u^:('^' I don't unde«tind." t^ J^* J ^"^?®'' announced the Bronco Kid. " IVe known it for a long time, but I-I-weU. you und^! 30J I i 'J •I I i T ) : ■ ^' kit- THB SPOILBXS •tand I couldn't let her know. AH I am »y « I've gambled «,uare till the night I played you. and i wm SL^ ? • <»e^«\then. blaming ?ou for the tallcl^^S a^li 1 "* ^«^* ^ '"*"'*^ ^y *^h«"<^ about Struve and Helen and got to the road-house in time to m ve her. I m sorry I didn't kill him." His longwhite^n! ^^ Isn t he dead ?" Glenister inquired. ^ get well ^h!^ rv""? ITu ^"^^^^ ^^ ^" »"^ h«'« f!««r .1* ? J^v ^*" *^® "»«" »" Alaska-here be- cause the shen-Ts back home couldn't shoot straight There's something else. I'm not a good talker but f trie? toTe:o ir ^"^^^ '' ^ y-'» ^^^^^^^^ LT!.J.^ ^^^^" ^'°"* ^^'^^^^ o^ tWs errand, but thL T.^^K^' '\""'" *^'"« *"<i ^he knows bm^ to thin. ? K f ^^'^l? y°" "^^«^^* <^°"«id«»- ^er a party to the deal, but you don't, do you?" He glared bel ligerently, and Roy replied, with fervor: ^ Certamly not. Go on." ments told the whole story and contained enough proof to break up this conspiracy and convict the JuKd McNamara and all the rest, but Struve kept the bundle Th.f« If ''!:'^ ^°"'^"'' ^'^' '' "P ^thout a pSce That s why she went away with him- She thought h J?uc7e^^'"'"'''l'^ ""• ^"* '' seeS Wheafon th^r^nt I^^T T'^Z':^' Now. I'm coming to tne pomt. The Judge and McNamara are arrest J^fnr contempt of court and they're as good L convkt^ you have recovered your mine, and these m« are dls ' graced. They will go to jail—" ^'*" "Yes. for six months, perhaps." broke in the other 306 ' TBB FHOMISB OP OKBAMS i«^CM*''^.**^°*'*^***"»°«"*tof There aevtr was » bolder crime consummated nor r.ie more cruelly jailed good men and sent others to nun: an J for thi they are to suller-how ? By a paltry fine or a short SrTf^ P^'^^P'- ^y *" ephemeral disgrace and the loss of their stolen goods. Contempt of court is the accusation, but you might as well convict a murderer !n^. ^ .if ^ *^' P"^'"- ^"'^^ *^'°^ ^^^^ off. it's true, and they won't trouble us again, but they'll never have to answer for their real infamy. That will go un- punished while their lawyers quibble over technicalities and rules of court. I guess it's true that there isn't any aw of God or man north of Fifty-three; but if there is justice south of that mark, those people will answer for conspiracy and go to the penitentiary." "You make it hard for me to say what I want to I am almost sorry we came, for I am not Cunning with words, and I don't know that you'll understand." said the Bronco Kid. gravely. " We looked at it this way you have had your victory, you have beaten your ene^ mies against odds, you have recovered your mine, and they are disgraced. To men like them that last will outlive and outweigh all the rest; but the Judge is our uncle and our blood runs in his veins. He took Helen when she was a baby and was a father to her in his selfish way. loving her as best he knew how. And she loves him." "I don't quite understand you." said Roy. And then Helen spoke for the first time eagerly tak- ing a packet from her bosom as she began: "This will tell the whole wretched stoiy, Mr. Glen- 307 'I THE SPOILERS for'^/Jo t^'' *^* P^°* ^ *" ^*» ^«»««- It's hard for me to betray my uncle, but this pn>of is you«Sv nght to use as you see fit, and I can't keep itJ° ^ that^^Cvo"?" *^.** '^' "^^^«^°« ^ 'how aU f K^V '.' ^"^ " «^°'''«^ *° «iv« it to me because vou thmk It is your duty ?" w«!w«we you "It belongs to you. I have no choice Bntvrh^*j came for was to plead and to ask a mS^ m^cy for my He saw that her eyes were swimmine while the li+ft. fl^hr^Twr "^'^f ^""^ ""^ "- p«^-^ w« nusfted. There rose in him the old wild desire to tS aw caress the wavy hair, and buiy his face de«n i„ ;» taU he grew drunk with the madnW of w B^^ W at last for whom she really pStirf ' ®"* "' Th<n^kM^-!.a'i^ "•/'"*r » J"** Punishment. contra.ytoinsureS^lLt^^C^"^-''"*™*' to look at the proposition SyS' bS*v"^' t^rie h^w^d-'L^^tfi^Jr ^'-'^ hesitate. Love was not fw.«i *?' *^^ ^^ ""^^^ °ot showttewS nofth'^^M »°' ^°*''" «*»<» «« had come, ^d^^ r^y"" ^"'^ °"»'««: '•"• '» «.e"2:^rmrrhel5^»er"U°"- '"*'^'" 308 rd >y Jl 11 I V THB PIOMISE OP BIBAMS "You ask this for your uncle, but what of— of the other fellow ? You must know that if one goes free so will they both; they can't be separated." "It's ahnost too much to ask," the Kid took up, un- certamly. "But don't you think the work is done? I can't help but admire McNamara, and neither can you— he's been too good an enemy to you for that and — ^and — ^he loves Helen." "I know— I know," said Glenister, hastily, at the same time stopping an unintelligible protest from the girl. "You've said enough." He straightened liis slightly stooping shoulders and looked at the unopened package wearily, then slipped the rubber band from it, and, separating the contents, tore them up— one by one— tore them into fine bits without hurry or ostenta- tion, and tossed the fragments away, while the woman began to sob softly, the sound of her relief alone disturb- ing the silence. And so he gave her his enemy, making his oflEer gamely, according to his code. "You're right— the work is done. And now, I'm very tired." They left him standing there, the glory of the dy- ing day illumining his lean, brown features, the vision of a great loneliness in his weary eyes. He did not rouse himself till the sky before him was only a curtain of steel, pencilled with streaks of soot that lay close down above the darker sea. Then he sighed and said, aloud: "So this is the end, and I gave him to her with these hands" — ^he held them out before him curiously, be- coming conscious for the first time that the left one was swollen and discolored and fearfully painful. He noted it with impersonal interest, realizing its need of 309 if TBB SPOILBIS V medical attention— w left the cabin and wallnd Unm^ «to the dty. He encountered Dext" aTd Sii^ "Lord, but you're the talk of the town," they began oli -T!? i*^**" ^*^* commenced to puU Str^?i office apar^ for souvenim, and the Swedes want to mn ime" ^^ "hT " '^^ "^ getld'^tte?^ Mate. They say that at collar-an '-elbow holts vou could hck any of them Eastern senator IndtWhv Speakm of laws ^oes to show me ?hat tWs hL country IS gettin' too blamed civilized for a whit"" dom fit to claim the interest of a growed-up person for a long while. I'm goin' west." P person lor "WMtl Why, you can throw a stone into Serine Strait from here," said Roy, smiling. ^^ e.!i2^' .T"c?® ''°'^^'' '°'^^- '^^«*'s a schooner outfittin' for Sibeeiy-two years' cruise. Me an' Dex^ ^T^ °" ^^^°' °^* towards the frontier fer a speU " r^J^' '1^ ^f *'^- "^'"^ ^^^°i«' to fed aU cramped up hereabouts owin' to th.^e fillymonarch orchestras an' French restarawnts and such discrepan- Sf?^ '"T^:* T^^''^ P^**^' * pavement on F^nt ^^T?flJ^r' * shoe-shinin' parlor opened up. Why, I d like to get where I could stretch an' holler without disturbin' the pensiveness of some dude in a &d«." """^ "^"^ ''°"^' ^^^y' ^* "^ «^ «^* "I'll think it over," said the young man The night was bright with a fuU mooa'whea they 310 THB PIOMISB OP DRBAMS : left the doctor's office. Roy, in no mood for the exuberance of his companions, parted from them, but had not gone far before he met Cherry Malotte. His head was low and he did not see her till she spoke. "Well, boy, so it's over at last!" Her words chimed so perfectly with his thoughts that he replied: "Yes, it's all over, little girl." "You don't need my congratulations — ^you know me too well for that. How does it feel to be a winner ?" "I don't know. I've lost." "Lost what?" "Everything — except the gold-mine." " Everything except — I see. You mean that she — that you have asked her and she won't?" He never knew the cost at which she held her voice so steady. " More than that. It's so new taat it hurts yet, and it will continue to hurt for a long time, I suppose — ^but to-morrow I am going back to my hills and my valleys, back to the Midas and my work, and try to begin all over. For a time I've wandered in strange paths, seek- ing new gods, as it were, but the dazzle has died out of my eyes and I can see true again. She isn't for me, although I shall always love her. I'm sorry I can't forget easily, as some do. It's hard to look ahead and take an interest in things. But what about you? Where shall you go?" "I don't know. It doesn't really matter — ^now." The dusk hid her white, set face and she spoke mo- notonously. " I am going to see the Bronco Kid. He sent for me. He's ill." "He's not a bad sort," said Roy. "And I suppose he'll make a new start, too." "Perhaps," said she, gazing far out over the gloomy THB SPOILBIS ®ceia. " It all depends " Aftmfm^,^ ^ ^ ;■ wh.t , pity th.iw^-t^?^2Z^t; *f '^^• ."'*'»P«rt of the game." laid li« >•? j_ia. if • K), but it U. I^ voTaf!; .• ' ^'^* ^°^ "hy "No. boyJ?thik Z^'^ •"""t™-. won't I?" 1^ on. goocT^M andlSsS'tlS:;; *^'^^'' » «d keep you. dear. b«ve Uttle C^ " "•" ^"^ and her C^wlSl,^**"* ""^ ""^ Pi^ul «,b 'Good-bye, my boy, my boy." ne wandeted down be^sde the •«. »~ ..• v . not yet wen, and until hTwMm.^;/? "" h"'« »" not endu« the ribald^ „d "S^f r^,"' "^f welcome lav waiting f™. hi-, -^ "* '•"ow- A no one «.e„'^Kthe"m^<^^^^tt*' "?] gauge the desolation that was uT^ ' " °°' '^'<* that he c^M^tWu^^ '^' ""* *''"» *» "a. beside the^"«r s^"^^^^ °°* 'T""" « *« "tood We slunkpttirela^:?.^',!^^' ^, ^J^^ bound ab^fwifT^ti"'^^^ "Z'^'^' f ^"'^h her sight pained him »T^' I ^"^ pleasure of with hesitSSSrst^iJl^''"'f^.'^"'y- «<» yet fluttered and Us ^fg,^lf ^^ Y"/* "« "eart his bandages and her'SlSTctr^ at™";:?? **.'*'' n« closer she touched tHenTJ^^^^^J^- l:i TBB PIOKISB OP DIBAKS J'lt'i nothing--nothing at aU," he said, white hi. "I do not know— not for so-ne time." He had supposed she would go to-morrow with h«r unde^^and-the other, to be wifh them ^Ti^Z TCth warm impetuomtjr she began: "It was a nnKi. thu,gyoudidt<wJay. Oh. I am|lad and^d "*" .. ^!^M^^ '^^^ °' ™ '" *■"" "»y- "th" than 88«ie wild beast you saw this morning, for I was nuS^ perfectly mad with hatred and revengf and eZr^d mjptUse that comes to a defeated ma^. You ^^ui^ played and lost, played and lost, again and S tm tt«, was nothing left. What misd.ancriS?'y^ "But I cai. understand. I do. I know aU about it now I know the wild rage of desperatioT; Iteow Ihe exultahon of victory; I know what hate »nf^^ ^ now. You told me once that the wildem^h^l^ you a savage, and I laughed at it just as I ^ Vbe^v^ SMd that my contact with big things woSd ^^^ ttie truth, that we're all alike^and ttaml m^v« «emusaU. I fee now that you were righted IwS v«y ample 1 learned a great deal last iighT" she J^t^"" "^ ' «"'" *-* y- any more," He moved as though to speak, but held back and tore his eyes away from her. ° "Well," she inquired, gazing at him covertly 3t} THB SPOILBIS "Once, a long time ago, I read a Lover'i Ptotit •ad ever since knowing you I have made the consl prayer that I might be given the purity to be woi the good in you, and that yo might be granted patience to reach the good in me— but it's no use. ] at least I'm glad we have met on common ground, a were, and that you imderstand, in a measure. ' prayer could not be answered; but through it I h found myself and— I have known you. That lasi worth more than a king's ransom to me. It is a h thing which I shall reverence always, and when you you will leave nie lonely except for its remembranc "But I am not going," she said. "That is— i less — " Something in her voice swept his gaze back fr the shimmering causeway that rippled seaward to i rising moon. It brought the breath into his thro and he shook as though seized by a great fear. "Unless— what?" " Unless you want me to." "Oh, God! don't play with mel" He flung out : hand as though to stop her while his voice died out a supplicating hoarseness. " I can't stand that." "Don't you see? Won't you see?" she asked, was waiting here for the courage to go to you since y have made it so very hard for me — ^my pagan." Wi which she came close to him, looking upward into ] face, smiling a little, shrinking a little, yielding 5 withholding, while the moonlight made of her eyes t^ bottomless, boimdless pools, dark with love, and hxh ming with the promise of his dreams. TBI BITD ' Ptotitioa, I constant >t worthy anted the use. But >und, as it ire. The it I have at last is is a holy » you go ibrance." is — un- ick from rd to the s throat, gout his id out to It." ked. "I once you " With into his ding yet eyes two ad brim-