iolent death. With the coming of dawn he arose to look out from the eastern windows of his room. The sky was a dome of rosy light and below lay the vast pl

cing their shade his inner vision showed him the still body of his friend. So real w

if-anything had happened-again he felt the loosening of mental strain and his spirits rose in exultation at the prospect of freedom and safety. Life was more attractive than ever with that menacing figure no longer threatening him with disclosure, disgrace, and death. He could go on with his

I could find in my conservatory," she smiled at him; "but it isn't half nice enough for my dadd

st in a quick embrace, instinct with the native impulse of the animal to

"like those you used to give me when I was a l

"I guess I smoked too much yesterday, and so didn't slee

in genial, unobtrusive companionableness, had long ago won his warm friendship. But was there not in her steady gray eyes a hint of passionate depths he had never thought of before? It stirred him so deeply that for a little while, as they lingered over the breakfast table, he forgot the o

ngs her Chinese cook had been saying and doing. She lingered there, her eyes following his figu

each the town for a day or two. The sound of horses' feet coming at a swift trot down the street on the other side of the stream made his heart beat quickly. He lingered at the door of his bank until the horseman came into view under the big cottonwoods at the next corner. It was Red Jack from the Socorro Springs ranch. At once his heart leaped to certainty. He turned to enter the bank, but stopped and looked back, undecidedly. Red Jack h

ntly to the waiting horseman. "Y

he cowboy replied. "The boss hired a new man last n

anded to the cowboy, saying idly, "Why, he intended last night to carry the

be too hard on Brown Betty to carry double. I wonder if mebbe that ain't my man comin' dow

here from Dellmey Baxter, who recomme

e strikes the boss's gait," Red Jack

re for revenge knew or cared anything about that old affair now. With him out of the way there would be no danger from anybody or anything. Why wasn't the man sensible enough to take the money he was willing to pay, and be satisfied? Perhaps the receipt of another check or two would soften his purpose; it was worth trying. And-there was still the Mexican! Baxter had surely said something to him, and the

morning, Mr. Bancroft; this is lucky! I was waiting for you here, but I've got so mu

ins," he went on, "by deserting to Martinez? Hadn't you

a confidential tone. "Can't you come over with me to Bill Willi

out to make overtures to him for deserting the Martinez fold and coming back to Baxter's. "Perhaps that spanking Curt gave him has set him against

sequently from one subject to another. Bancroft made several attempts to bring the conversation to the point, but each time Jenkins either blandly ignored or skilfully evaded his leadin

chair in the little room. He ceased speaking, and Bancroft, looking up suddenly, caught in his face an expression of expectant triumph. The tip of his tongue was darting over his lips, and his small dark eyes were fixed on his guest with a look of malicious satisfaction. Instantly B

ed about a good deal, out here in the West-and in out-of-the-way places, too-and I've been wondering-I thought I'd ask you-if you've ever run across a gen

Lucy, with her uncompromising moral decisions and her swift, unsparing condemnations, could come nearer to unnerving him than could any bolt from the blue like this. He flicked the ash from his

al and, as my business most of the time has been that of mining and trading in mines, it has often taken

never met him, have you ever, in the course of your Western travels, run across a man-he was a mining man, too-a mining man named Hardy-John Mason Hardy? There's a curious story about him, too, or, rather, about a man who was associated with hi

mportance in this, Mr. Jenkins, I'll be very glad to listen to it some other time; but

r. Bancroft, if you please. I'm coming to the point right away. This story is of so

glass. He was thinking, "I'd better stay and find out exactly how much he knows." Jenkins smiled under

exico. One of them died down there-died, you know, in a quiet, private sort of way, and the one that came up to the States again was named

t had sprung forward with a white, angry face

s. "I didn't do that. He died a natural death-of fever-

irst. "Oh; then you know all about it!"

mself proof against any surprise, but this man's sudden blow and persistent baiting had screwed his nerve tension to the snapping point. But he told

demanded sharply. "Why have

prominent and respected citizens of New Mexico. But since you've confessed its truth yourself-well, I've got to believe it now. It has been a very blind trail I've followed, crooked and well hidden-wonderfully well hidden, Mr. Bancroft-and the number of names you've hoisted al

he eye. "Well, now that you have it a

th exaggerated suavity, "ah, excuse me, I

he was about and exactly what he wanted, so that it would be of no use to beat

t I have been doi

ve a legal right to the name of Bancroft, given me by the legisla

ed Delafield once more-sort of like meeting an old friend, you know. Won't you have another cigar, Mr. Bancroft? No? Well, then, let's hav

ughter-" he saw his listener wince at this, and then carefully repeated his words-"and you have such a beautiful and charming young daughter, who, as the heiress of a father who is making a fortune with clean hands and no cloud on his past, can be t

ght hand on the bed close by his pistol pocket, and kept his eyes on the banker, watchful for the first hostile movement. There was need of wariness, for Bancroft was debating with himself whether it would

o be willing to confess himself beaten until he could struggle no longer. He felt sure that money would keep Jenkins quiet, and after a while he might find some other means of stopping the man's mouth for good. The

what do you want? For God'

mportance to me for him to be elected. But I'm afraid he hasn't got much chance if Silverside County and the rest of the South should go again

ad not expected anything of this sort. "Y

difficult to change your politics. Why, I thought of coming o

s ears. And in that matter of Curtis Conrad and José Gonzalez-had he not put himself at Baxter's mercy? In this moment of supreme necessity the naked truth came before him; and he knew it to be true that he was primarily responsible for any harm that might come to the young cattleman through Gonzalez. If he did not keep faith with Baxter the Congressman would tell Curtis who it was that desired his death; and then Conrad would know where to find Delafield. In short, he knew that Baxte

e no alt

ortant matter for me to be able to make this present to Johnny. If he wins this fight there

throat. Jenkins, taken entirely off his guard, succeeded only in grasping his assailant's coat as they went down on the bed together in a noiseless scuffle. Bancroft's hands closed around his tormentor's throat, and a savage, elemental satisfaction thrilled in

aken. Of a sudden reason returned to him. If this man were to die under his hand there would be grewsome consequence

Jenkins, are you?" h

his throat, and got up, looking warily at his assailant.

ed, rubbed his throat again, and drank a glass of whiskey. Bancroft helped himself likewise, following it with a copious draught of water.

her way, to go back on Baxter. You might just

ist upon it," was Jen

thing's impossible! It would ruin me just as surely as for you to

pain had made him obstinate and determined him to press his point, more

han try to go back on Baxter. It wouldn't be the healthiest thing in the wor

lk about it again, later in the season. For the present I want a good, big sum before you leave this room, and hereafter

m from Jenkins or kill him in his tracks. This latter alternative was not to be considered; and doubt

"I hope, Mr. Dela-ah, pardon me,-Mr. Bancroft, that I have not kept you too long from your affairs at the bank." As his

the oth