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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/5076.txt b/5076.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dd45bbe --- /dev/null +++ b/5076.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10301 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spoilers, by Rex Beach + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Spoilers + +Author: Rex Beach + +Posting Date: May 2, 2013 [EBook #5076] +Release Date: February, 2004 +First Posted: April 16, 2002 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPOILERS *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + + + +THE SPOILERS + +By REX BEACH + +Author of "THE AUCTION BLOCK" "RAINBOW'S END" "THE IRON TRAIL" Etc. + + +Illustrated + + + + + THIS BOOK +IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO + MY MOTHER + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + I. THE ENCOUNTER + + II. THE STOWAWAY + + III. IN WHICH GLENISTER ERRS + + IV. THE KILLING + + V. WHEREIN A MAN APPEARS + + VI. AND A MINE IS JUMPED + + VII. THE "BRONCO KID'S" EAVESDROPPING + + VIII. DEXTRY MAKES A CALL + + IX. SLUICE ROBBERS + + X. THE WIT OF AN ADVENTURESS + + XI. WHEREIN A WRIT AND A RIOT FAIL + + XII. COUNTERPLOTS + + XIII. IN WHICH A MAN IS POSSESSED OF A DEVIL + + XIV. A MIDNIGHT MESSENGER + + XV. VIGILANTES + + XVI. IN WHICH THE TRUTH BEGINS TO BARE ITSELF + + XVII. THE DRIP OF WATER IN THE DARK + +XVIII. WHEREIN A TRAP IS BAITED + + XIX. DYNAMITE + + XX. IN WHICH THREE GO TO THE SIGN OF THE SLED AND BUT TWO RETURN + + XXI. THE HAMMER-LOCK + + XXII. THE PROMISE OF DREAMS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE ENCOUNTER + + +Glenister gazed out over the harbor, agleam with the lights of anchored +ships, then up at the crenelated mountains, black against the sky. He +drank the cool air burdened with its taints of the sea, while the blood +of his boyhood leaped within him. + +"Oh, it's fine--fine," he murmured, "and this is my country--my +country, after all, Dex. It's in my veins, this hunger for the North. I +grow. I expand." + +"Careful you don't bust," warned Dextry. "I've seen men get plumb drunk +on mountain air. Don't expand too strong in one spot." He went back +abruptly to his pipe, its villanous fumes promptly averting any danger +of the air's too tonic quality. + +"Gad! What a smudge!" sniffed the younger man. "You ought to be in +quarantine." + +"I'd ruther smell like a man than talk like a kid. You desecrate the +hour of meditation with rhapsodies on nature when your aesthetics ain't +honed up to the beauties of good tobacco." + +The other laughed, inflating his deep chest. In the gloom he stretched +his muscles restlessly, as though an excess of vigor filled him. + +They were lounging upon the dock, while before them lay the Santa Maria +ready for her midnight sailing. Behind slept Unalaska, quaint, antique, +and Russian, rusting amid the fogs of Bering Sea. Where, a week before, +mild-eyed natives had dried their cod among the old bronze cannon, now +a frenzied horde of gold-seekers paused in 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 +fortune 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 armies. Glenister 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," Glenister broke out +again. "Away from the cities I turn savage. I feel the old primitive +passions--the fret for fighting." + +"Mebbe you'll have a chance." + +"How so?" + +"Well, it's this way. I met Mexico Mullins this mornin'. You mind old +Mexico, don't you? The feller that relocated Discovery Claim on Anvil +Creek last summer?" + +"You don't mean that 'tin-horn' the boys were going to lynch for +claim-jumping?" + +"Identical! Remember me tellin' you about a good turn I done him once +down Guadalupe way?" + +"Greaser shooting-scrape, wasn't it?" + +"Yep! Well, I noticed first off that he's gettin fat; high-livin' fat, +too, all in one spot, like he was playin' both ends ag'in the centre. +Also he wore di'mon's fit to handle with ice-tongs. + +"Says I, lookin' at his side elevation, 'What's accented your middle +syllable so strong, Mexico?' + +"'Prosperity, politics, an' the Waldorf-Astorier,' says he. It seems +Mex hadn't forgot old days. He claws me into a corner an' says, 'Bill, +I'm goin' to pay you back for that Moralez deal.' + +"'It ain't comin' to me,' says I. 'That's a bygone!' + +"'Listen here,' says he, an', seein' he was in earnest, I let him run +on. + +"'How much do you value that claim o' yourn at?' + +"'Hard tellin',' says I. 'If she holds out like she run last fall, +there'd ought to be a million clear in her." + +"'How much'll you clean up this summer?' + +"''Bout four hundred thousand, with luck.' + +"'Bill,' says he, 'there's hell a-poppin' an' you've got to watch that +ground like you'd watch a rattle-snake. Don't never leave 'em get a +grip on it or you're down an' out.' + +"He was so plumb in earnest it scared me up, 'cause Mexico ain't a +gabby man. + +"'What do you mean?' says I. + +"'I can't tell you nothin' more. I'm puttin' a 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 just 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 +him clost. I can't tell you no more. But don't never let 'em get a grip +on your ground.' That's all he'd say." + +"Bah! He's crazy! 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! 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. + +"Stop! Stop there!" + +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. + +"Don't let them get me," she panted. + +He turned to his partner in puzzled inquiry, but found that the old man +had crossed to the head of the landing ladder up which the pursuers +were climbing. + +"Just a minute--you there! Back up or I'll kick your face in." Dextry's +voice was sharp and unexpected, and in the darkness he loomed tall and +menacing to those below. + +"Get out of the way. That woman's a runaway," came from the one highest +on the ladder. + +"So I jedge." + +"She broke qu--" + +"Shut up!" broke in another. "Do you want to advertise it? Get out of +the way, there, ye damn fool! Climb up, Thorsen." He spoke like a bucko +mate, and his words stirred the bile of Dextry. + +Thorsen grasped the dock floor, trying to climb up, but the old miner +stamped on his fingers and the sailor loosened his hold with a yell, +carrying the under men with him to the beach in his fall. + +"This way! Follow me!" shouted the mate, making up the bank for the +shore end of the wharf. + +"You'd better pull your freight, miss," Dextry remarked; "they'll be +here in a minute." + +"Yes, yes! Let us go! I must get aboard the Santa Maria. She's leaving +now. Come, come!" + +Glenister laughed, as though there were a humorous touch in her remark, +but did not stir. + +"I'm gettin' awful old an' stiff to run," said Dextry, removing his +mackinaw, "but I allow I ain't too old for a little diversion in the +way of a rough-house when it comes nosin' around." He moved lightly, +though the girl could see in the half-darkness that his hair was +silvery. + +"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 dockhouse, backing against it. The girl followed. + +Again came the warning blast from the steamer, and the voice of an +officer: + +"Clear away that stern line!" + +"Oh, we'll be left!" 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'll get hurt if +you stay here. Run along and don't mind us. We've been thirty days on +shipboard, 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 sound of fist on flesh, then the blot split up +and forms plunged outward, falling heavily. Again the sailors rushed, +attempting to clinch. They massed upon Dextry only to grasp empty air, +for he shifted with remarkable agility, striking bitterly, as an old +wolf snaps. It was baffling work, however, for in the darkness his +blows fell short or overreached. + +Glenister, on the other hand, stood carelessly, beating 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 her more than a din, +and yet she stayed, crouched against the wall. + +Dextry swung at a dim target, and, missing it, was whirled off his +balance. Instantly his antagonist grappled with him, and they fell to +the floor, while a third man shuffled about them. The girl throttled a +scream. + +"I'm goin' to kick 'im, Bill," the man panted hoarsely. "Le' me fix +'im." He swung his heavy shoe, and Bill cursed with stirring eloquence. + +"Ow! You're kickin' me! I've got 'im, safe enough. Tackle the big un." + +Bill's ally then started towards the others, his body bent, his arms +flexed yet hanging loosely. He crouched beside the girl, ignoring her, +while she heard the breath wheezing from his lungs; then silently he +leaped. Glenister had hurled a man from him, then stepped back to avoid +the others, when he was seized from behind and felt the man's arms +wrapped about his neck, the sailor's legs locked about his thighs. Now +came the girl's first knowledge of real fighting. The two spun back and +forth so closely entwined as to be indistinguishable, the others +holding off. For what seemed many minutes they struggled, the young man +striving to reach his adversary, till they crashed against the wall +near her and she heard her champion's breath coughing in his throat at +the tightening grip of the sailor. Fright held her paralyzed, for she +had never seen men thus. A moment and Glenister would be down beneath +their stamping feet--they would kick his life out with their heavy +shoes. At thought of it, the necessity of action smote her like a blow +in the face. Her terror fell away, her shaking muscles stiffened, and +before realizing what she did she had acted. + +The seaman's back was to her. She reached out and gripped him by the +hair, while her fingers, tense as talons, sought his eyes. Then the +first loud sound of the battle arose. The man yelled in sudden terror; +and the others as suddenly fell back. The next instant she felt a hand +upon her shoulder and heard Dextry's voice. + +"Are ye hurt? No? Come on, then, or we'll get left." He spoke quietly, +though his breath was loud, and, glancing down, she saw the huddled +form of the sailor whom he had fought. + +"That's all right--he ain't hurt. It's a Jap trick I learned. Hurry up!" + +They ran swiftly down the wharf, followed by Glenister and by the +groans of the sailors in whom the lust for combat had been quenched. As +they scrambled up the Santa Maria's gang-plank, a strip of water +widened between the boat and the pier. + +"Close shave, that," panted Glenister, feeling his throat gingerly, +"but I wouldn't have missed it for a spotted pup." + +"I've been through b'iler explosions and snowslides, not to mention a +triflin' jail-delivery, but fer real sprightly diversions I don't +recall nothin' more pleasin' than this." Dextry's enthusiasm was +boylike. + +"What kind of men are you?" the girl laughed nervously, but got no +answer. + +They led her to their deck cabin, where they switched on the electric +light, blinking at each other and at their unknown guest. + +They saw a graceful and altogether attractive figure in a trim, short +skirt and long, tan boots. But what Glenister first saw was her eyes; +large and gray, almost brown under the electric light. They were active +eyes, he thought, and they flashed swift, comprehensive glances at the +two men. Her hair had fallen loose and crinkled to her waist, all +agleam. Otherwise she showed no sign of her recent ordeal. + +Glenister had been prepared for the type of beauty that follows the +frontier; beauty that may stun, but that has the polish and chill of a +new-ground bowie. Instead, this girl with the calm, reposeful face +struck a note almost painfully different from her surroundings, +suggesting countless pleasant things that had been strange to him for +the past few years. + +Pure admiration alone was patent in the older man's gaze. + +"I make oration," said he, "that you're the gamest little chap I ever +fought over, Mexikin, Injun, or white. What's the trouble?" + +"I suppose you think I've done something dreadful, don't you?" she +said. "But I haven't. I had to get away from the Ohio to-night +for--certain reasons. I'll tell you all about it to-morrow. I haven't +stolen anything, nor poisoned the crew--really I haven't." She smiled +at them, and Glenister found it impossible not to smile with her, +though dismayed by her feeble explanation. + +"Well, I'll wake up the steward and find a place for you to go," he +said at length. "You'll have to double up with some of the women, +though; it's awfully crowded aboard." + +She laid a detaining hand on his arm. He thought he felt her tremble. + +"No, no! I don't want you to do that. They mustn'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 everything. Wait till +to-morrow, please." + +She was very white, and spoke with eager intensity. + +"Help you? Why, sure Mike!" assured the impulsive Dextry, "an', see +here, Miss--you take your time on explanations. We don't care a cuss +what you done. Morals 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 her cheek. She noted him more +carefully; noted his 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, perhaps 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?" + +"She will stay here to-night," said Glenister quickly. "You and I will +go below. Nobody will see her." + +"I can't let you do that," she objected. "Isn't there some place where +I can hide?" But they reassured her and left. + +When they had gone, she crouched trembling upon her seat for a long +time, gazing fixedly before her. "I'm afraid!" she whispered; "I'm +afraid. What am I getting into? Why do men look so at me? I'm +frightened. Oh, I'm sorry I undertook it." At last she rose wearily. +The close cabin oppressed her; she felt the need of fresh air. So, +turning out the lights, she stepped forth into the night. Figures +loomed near the rail and she slipped astern, screening herself behind a +life-boat, where the cool breeze fanned her face. + +The forms she had seen approached, speaking earnestly. Instead of +passing, they stopped abreast of her hiding-place; then, as they began +to talk, she saw that her retreat was cut off and that she must not +stir. + +"What brings her here?" Glenister was echoing a question of Dextry's. +"Bah! What brings them all? What brought 'the Duchess,' and Cherry +Malotte, and all the rest?" + +"No, no," said the old man. "She ain't that kind--she's too fine, too +delicate--too pretty." + +"That's just it--too pretty! Too pretty to be alone--or anything except +what she is." + +Dextry growled sourly. "This country has plumb ruined you, boy. You +think they're all alike--an' I don't know but they are--all but this +girl. Seems like she's different, somehow--but I can't tell." + +Glenister spoke musingly: + +"I had an ancestor who buccaneered among the Indies, a long time +ago--so I'm told. Sometimes I think I have his disposition. He comes +and whispers things to me in the night. Oh, he was a devil, and I've +got his blood in me--untamed and hot--I can hear him saying something +now--something about the spoils of war. Ha, ha! Maybe he's right. I +fought for her to-night--Dex--the way he used to fight for his +sweethearts along the Mexicos. She's too beautiful to be good--and +'there's never a law of God or man runs north of Fifty-three.'" + +They moved on, his vibrant, cynical laughter stabbing the girl till she +leaned against the yawl for support. + +She held herself together while the blood beat thickly in her ears, +then fled to the cabin, hurling herself into her berth, where she +writhed silently, beating the pillow with hands into which her nails +had bitten, staring the while into the darkness with dry and aching +eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE STOWAWAY + + +She awoke to the throb of the engines, and, gazing cautiously through +her stateroom window, saw a glassy, level sea, with the sun brightly +agleam on it. + +So this was Bering? She had clothed it always with the mystery of her +school-days, thinking of it as a weeping, fog-bound stretch of gray +waters. Instead, she saw a flat, sunlit main, with occasional +sea-parrots flapping their fat bodies out of the ship's course. A +glistening head popped up from the waters abreast, and she heard the +cry of "seal!" + +Dressing, the girl noted minutely the personal articles scattered about +the cabin, striving to derive therefrom some fresh hint of the +characteristics of the owners. First, there was an elaborate, +copper-backed toilet-set, all richly ornamented and leather-bound. The +metal was magnificently hand-worked and bore Glenister's initial. It +spoke of elegant extravagance, and seemed oddly out of place in an +Arctic miner's equipment, as did also a small set of De Maupassant. + +Next, she picked up Kipling's Seven Seas, marked liberally, and felt +that she had struck a scent. The roughness and brutality of the poems +had always chilled her, though she had felt vaguely their splendid +pulse and swing. This was the girl's first venture from a sheltered +life. She had not rubbed elbows with the world enough to find that +Truth may be rough, unshaven, and garbed in homespun. The book +confirmed her analysis of the junior partner. + +Pendent from a hook was a worn and blackened holster from which peeped +the butt of a large Colt's revolver, showing evidence of many years' +service. It spoke mutely of the white-haired Dextry, who, before her +inspection was over, knocked at the door, and, when she admitted him, +addressed her cautiously: + +"The boy's down forrad, teasin' grub out of a flunky. He'll be up in a +minute. How'd ye sleep?" + +"Very well, thank you," she lied, "but I've been thinking that I ought +to explain myself to you." + +"Now, see here," the old man interjected, "there ain't no explanations +needed till you feel like givin' them up. You was in trouble--that's +unfortunate; we help you--that's natural; no questions asked--that's +Alaska." + +"Yes--but I know you must think--" + +"What bothers me," the other continued irrelevantly, "is how in blazes +we're goin' to keep you hid. The steward's got to make up this room, +and somebody's bound to see us packin' grub in." + +"I don't care who knows if they won't send me back. They wouldn't do +that, would they?" She hung anxiously on his words. + +"Send you back? Why, don't you savvy that this boat is bound for Nome? +There ain't no turnin' back on gold stampedes, and this is the wildest +rush the world ever saw. The captain wouldn't turn back--he +couldn't--his cargo's too precious and the company pays five thousand a +day for this ship. No, we ain't puttin' back to unload no stowaways at +five thousand per. Besides, we passengers wouldn't let him--time's too +precious." They were interrupted by the rattle of dishes outside, and +Dextry was about to open the door when his hand wavered uncertainly +above the knob, for he heard the hearty greeting of the ship's captain. + +"Well, well, Glenister, where's all the breakfast going?" + +"Oo!" whispered the old man--"that's Cap' Stephens." + +"Dextry isn't feeling quite up to form this morning," replied Glenister +easily. + +"Don't wonder! Why weren't you aboard sooner last night? I saw +you--'most got left, eh? Served you right if you had." Then his voice +dropped to the confidential: "I'd advise you to cut out those women. +Don't misunderstand me, boy, but they're a bad lot on this boat. I saw +you come aboard. Take my word for it--they're a bad lot. Cut 'em out. +Guess I'll step inside and see what's up with Dextry." + +The girl shrank into her corner, gazing apprehensively at the other +listener. + +"Well--er--he isn't up yet," they heard Glenister stammer; "better come +around later." + +"Nonsense; it's time he was dressed." The master's voice was gruffly +good-natured. "Hello, Dextry! Hey! Open up for inspection." He rattled +the door. + +There was nothing to be done. The old miner darted an inquiring glance +at his companion, then, at her nod, slipped the bolt, and the captain's +blue bulk filled the room. + +His grizzled, close-bearded face was genially wrinkled till he spied +the erect, gray figure in the corner, when his cap came off +involuntarily. There his courtesy ended, however, and the smile died +coldly from his face. His eyes narrowed, and the good-fellowship fell +away, leaving him the stiff and formal officer. + +"Ah," he said, "not feeling well, eh? I thought I had met all of our +lady passengers. Introduce me, Dextry." + +Dextry squirmed under his cynicism. + +"Well--I--ah--didn't catch the name myself." + +"What?" + +"Oh, there ain't much to say. This is the lady--we brought aboard last +night--that's all." + +"Who gave you permission?" + +"Nobody. There wasn't time." + +"There wasn't TIME, eh? Which one of you conceived the novel scheme of +stowing away ladies in your cabin? Whose is she? Quick! Answer me." +Indignation was vibrant in his voice. + +"Oh!" the girl cried--her eyes widening darkly. She stood slim and pale +and slightly trembling. + +His words had cut her bitterly, though through it all he had +scrupulously avoided addressing her. + +The captain turned to Glenister, who had entered and closed the door. + +"Is this your work? Is she yours?" + +"No," he answered quietly, while Dextry chimed in: + +"Better hear details, captain, before you make breaks like that. We +helped the lady side-step some sailors last night and we most got left +doing it. It was up to her to make a quick get-away, so we helped her +aboard." + +"A poor story! What was she running away from?" He still addressed the +men, ignoring her completely, till, with hoarse voice, she broke in: + +"You mustn't talk about me that way--I can answer your questions. It's +true--I ran away. I had to. The sailors came after me and fought with +these men. I had to get away quickly, and your friends helped me on +here from gentlemanly kindness, because they saw me unprotected. They +are still protecting me. I can't explain how important it is for me to +reach Nome on the first boat, because it isn't my secret. It was +important enough to make me leave my uncle at Seattle at an hour's +notice when we found there was no one else who could go. That's all I +can say. I took my maid with me, but the sailors caught her just as she +was following me down the ship's ladder. She had my bag of clothes when +they seized her. I cast off the rope and rowed ashore as fast as I +could, but they lowered another boat and followed me." + +The captain eyed her sharply, and his grim lines softened a bit, for +she was clean-cut and womanly, and utterly out of place, He took her +in, shrewdly, detail by detail, then spoke directly to her: + +"My dear young lady--the other ships will get there just as quickly as +ours, maybe more quickly. To-morrow we strike the ice-pack and then it +is all a matter of luck." + +"Yes, but the ship I left won't get there." + +At this the commander started, and, darting a great, thick-fingered +hand at her, spoke savagely: + +"What's that? What ship? Which one did you come from? Answer me." + +"The Ohio," she replied, with the effect of a hand-grenade. The master +glared at her. + +"The Ohio! Good God! You DARE to stand there and tell me that?" He +turned and poured his rage upon the others. + +"She says the Ohio, d'ye hear? You've ruined me! I'll put you in +irons--all of you. The Ohio!" + +"What d'ye mean? What's up?" + +"What's up? There's small-pox aboard the Ohio! This girl has broken +quarantine. The health inspectors bottled up the boat at six o'clock +last night! That's why I pulled out of Unalaska ahead of time, to avoid +any possible delay. Now we'll all be held up when we get to Nome. Great +Heavens! do you realize what this means--bringing this hussy aboard?" + +His eyes burned and his voice shook, while the two partners stared at +each other in dismay. Too well they knew the result of a small-pox +panic aboard this crowded troop-ship. Not only was every available +cabin bulging with passengers, but the lower decks were jammed with +both humanity and live stock all in the most unsanitary conditions. The +craft, built for three hundred passengers, was carrying triple her +capacity; men and women were stowed away like cattle. Order and a +half-tolerable condition were maintained only by the efforts of the +passengers themselves, who held to the thought that imprisonment and +inconvenience would last but a few days longer. They had been aboard +three weeks and every heart was aflame with the desire to reach +Nome--to reach it ahead of the pressing horde behind. + +What would be the temper of this gold-frenzied army if thrown into +quarantine within sight of their goal? The impatient hundreds would +have to lie packed in their floating prison, submitting to the foul +disease. Long they must lie thus, till a month should have passed after +the disappearance of the last symptom. If the disease recurred +sporadically, that might mean endless weeks of maddening idleness. It +might even be impossible to impose the necessary restraint; there would +be violence, perhaps mutiny. + +The fear of the sickness was nothing to Dextry and Glenister, but of +their mine they thought with terror. What would happen in their +absence, where conditions were as unsettled as in this new land; where +titles were held only by physical possession of the premises? During +the long winter of their absence, ice had held their treasure +inviolate, but with the warming summer the jewel they had fought for so +wearily would lie naked and exposed to the first comer. The Midas lay +in the valley of the richest creek, where men had schemed and fought +and slain for the right to inches. It was the fruit of cheerless, +barren years of toil, and if they could not guard it--they knew the +result. + +The girl interrupted their distressing reflections. + +"Don't blame these men, sir," she begged the captain. "I am the only +one at fault. Oh! I HAD to get away. I have papers here that must be +delivered quickly." She laid a hand upon her bosom. "They couldn't be +trusted to the unsettled mail service. It's almost life and death. And +I assure you there is no need of putting me in quarantine. I haven't +the smallpox. I wasn't even exposed to it." + +"There's nothing else to do," said Stephens. "I'll isolate you in the +deck smoking-cabin. God knows what these madmen on board will do when +they hear about it, though. They're apt to tear you to shreds. They're +crazy!" + +Glenister had been thinking rapidly. + +"If you do that, you'll have mutiny in an hour. This isn't the crowd to +stand that sort of thing." + +"Bah! Let 'em try it. I'll put 'em down." The officer's square jaws +clicked. + +"Maybe so; but what then? We reach Nome and the Health Inspector hears +of small-pox suspects, then we're all quarantined for thirty days; +eight hundred of us. We'll lie at Egg Island all summer while your +company pays five thousand a day for this ship. That's not all. The +firm is liable in damages for your carelessness in letting disease +aboard." + +"MY CARELESSNESS!" The old man ground his teeth. + +"Yes; that's what it amounts to. You'll ruin your owners, all right. +You'll tie up your ship and lose your job, that's a cinch!" + +Captain Stephens wiped the moisture from his brow angrily. + +"My carelessness! Curse you--you say it well. Don't you realize that I +am criminally liable if I don't take every precaution?" He paused for a +moment, considering. "I'll hand her over to the ship's doctor." + +"See here, now," Glenister urged. "We'll be in Nome in a week--before +the young lady would have time to show symptoms of the disease, even if +she were going to have it--and a thousand to one she hasn't been +exposed, and will never show a trace of it. Nobody knows she's aboard +but we three. Nobody will see her get off. She'll stay in this cabin, +which will be just as effectual as though you isolated her in any other +part of the boat. It will avoid a panic--you'll save your ship and your +company--no one will be the wiser--then if the girl comes down with +small-pox after she gets ashore, she can go to the pest-house and not +jeopardize the health of all the people aboard this ship. You go up +forrad to your bridge, sir, and forget that you stepped in to see old +Bill Dextry this morning. Well take care of this matter all right. It +means as much to us as it does to you. We've GOT to be on Anvil Creek +before the ground thaws or we'll lose the Midas. If you make a fuss, +you'll ruin us all." + +For some moments they watched him breathlessly as he frowned in +indecision, then-- + +"You'll have to look out for the steward," he said, and the girl sank +to a stool while two great tears rolled down her cheeks. The captain's +eyes softened and his voice was gentle as he laid his hand on her head. + +"Don't feel hurt over what I said, miss. You see, appearances don't +tell much, hereabouts--most of the pretty ones are no good. They've +fooled me many a time, and I made a mistake. These men will help you +through; I can't. Then when you get to Nome, make your sweetheart marry +you the day you land. You are too far north to be alone." + +He stepped out into the passage and closed the door carefully. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +IN WHICH GLENISTER ERRS + + +"Well, bein' as me an' Glenister is gougin' into the bowels of Anvil +Creek all last summer, we don't really get the fresh-grub habit +fastened on us none. You see, the gamblers down-town cop out the few +aigs an' green vegetables that stray off the ships, so they never get +out as far as the Creek none; except, maybe, in the shape of anecdotes. + +"We don't get intimate with no nutriments except hog-boosum an' brown +beans, of which luxuries we have unstinted measure, an' bein' as this +is our third year in the country we hanker for bony fido grub, +somethin' scan'lous. Yes, ma'am--three years without a taste of fresh +fruit nor meat nor nuthin'--except pork an' beans. Why, I've et bacon +till my immortal soul has growed a rind. + +"When it comes time to close down the claim, the boy is sick with the +fever an' the only ship in port is a Point Barrow whaler, bound for +Seattle. After I book our passage, I find they have nothin' aboard to +eat except canned salmon, it bein' the end of a two years' cruise, so +when I land in the States after seventeen days of a fish diet, I am +what you might call sated with canned grub, and have added salmon to +the list of things concernin' which I am goin' to economize. + +"Soon's ever I get the boy into a hospital, I gallop up to the best +restarawnt in town an' prepare for the huge pot-latch. This here, I +determine, is to be a gormandizin' jag which shall live in hist'ry, an' +wharof in later years the natives of Puget Sound shall speak with bated +breath. + +"First, I call for five dollars' worth of pork an' beans an' then a +full-grown platter of canned salmon. When the waiter lays 'em out in +front of me, I look them vittles coldly in their disgustin' visages, +an' say in sarcastic accents: + +"'Set there, damn you! an' watch me eat REAL grub,' which I proceed to +do, cleanin' the menu from soda to hock. When I have done my worst, I +pile bones an' olive seeds an' peelin's all over them articles of +nourishment, stick toothpicks into 'em, an' havin' offered 'em what +other indignities occur to me, I leave the place." + +Dextry and the girl were leaning over the stern-rail, chatting idly in +the darkness. It was the second night out and the ship lay dead in the +ice-pack. All about them was a flat, floe-clogged sea, leprous and +mottled in the deep twilight that midnight brought in this latitude. +They had threaded into the ice-field as long as the light lasted, +following the lanes of blue water till they closed, then drifting idly +till others appeared; worming out into leagues of open sea, again +creeping into the shifting labyrinth till darkness rendered progress +perilous. + +Occasionally they had passed herds of walrus huddled sociably upon +ice-pans, their wet hides glistening in the sunlight. The air had been +clear and pleasant, while away on all quarters they had seen the smoke +of other ships toiling through the barrier. The spring fleet was +knocking at the door of the Golden North. + +Chafing at her imprisonment, the girl had asked the old man to take her +out on deck under the shelter of darkness; then she had led him to +speak of his own past experiences, and of Glenister's; which he had +done freely. She was frankly curious about them, and she wondered at +their apparent lack of interest in her own identity and her secret +mission. She even construed their silence as indifference, not +realizing that these Northmen were offering her the truest evidence of +camaraderie. + +The frontier is capable of no finer compliment than this utter +disregard of one's folded pages. It betokens that highest faith in +one's fellow-man, the belief that he should be measured by his present +deeds, not by his past. It says, translated: "This is God's free +country where a man is a man, nothing more. Our land is new and pure, +our faces are to the front. If you have been square, so much the +better; if not, leave behind the taints of artificial things and start +again on the level--that's all." + +It had happened, therefore, that since the men had asked her no +questions, she had allowed the hours to pass and still hesitated to +explain further than she had explained to Captain Stephens. It was much +easier to let things continue as they were; and there was, after all, +so little that she was at liberty to tell them. + +In the short time since meeting them, the girl had grown to like +Dextry, with his blunt chivalry and boyish, whimsical philosophy, but +she avoided Glenister, feeling a shrinking, hidden terror of him, ever +since her eavesdropping of the previous night. At the memory of that +scene she grew hot, then cold--hot with anger, icy at the sinister +power and sureness which had vibrated in his voice. What kind of life +was she entering where men spoke of strange women with this assurance +and hinted thus of ownership? That he was handsome and unconscious of +it, she acknowledged, and had she met him in her accustomed circle of +friends, garbed in the conventionalities, she would perhaps have +thought of him as a striking man, vigorous and intelligent; but here he +seemed naturally to take on the attributes of his surroundings, +acquiring a picturesque negligee of dress and morals, and suggesting +rugged, elemental, chilling potentialities. While with him--and he had +sought her repeatedly that day--she was uneasily aware of his strong +personality tugging at her; aware of the unbridled passionate flood of +a nature unbrooking of delay and heedless of denial. This it was that +antagonized her and set her every mental sinew in rigid resistance. + +During Dextry's garrulous ramblings, Glenister emerged from the +darkness and silently took his place beside her, against the rail. + +"What portent do you see that makes you stare into the night so +anxiously?" he inquired. + +"I am wishing for a sight of the midnight sun or the aurora borealis," +she replied. + +"Too late for one an' too fur south for the other," Dextry interposed. +"We'll see the sun further north, though." + +"Have you ever heard the real origin of the Northern Lights?" the young +man inquired. + +"Naturally, I never have," she answered. + +"Well, here it is. I have it from the lips of a great hunter of the +Tananas. He told it to me when I was sick, once, in his cabin, and +inasmuch as he is a wise Indian and has a reputation for truth, I have +no doubt that it is scrupulously correct. + +"In the very old days, before the white man or corned beef had invaded +this land, the greatest tribe in all the North was the Tananas. The +bravest hunter of these was Itika, the second chief. He could follow a +moose till it fell exhausted in the snow and he had many belts made +from the claws of the brown bear which is deadly wicked and, as every +one knows, inhabited by the spirits of 'Yabla-men,' or devils. + +"One winter a terrible famine settled over the Tanana Valley. The moose +departed from the gulches and the caribou melted from the hills like +mist. The dogs grew gaunt and howled all night, the babies cried, the +women became hollow-eyed and peevish. + +"Then it was that Itika decided to go hunting over the saw-tooth range +which formed the edge of the world. They tried to dissuade him, saying +it was certain death because a pack of monstrous white wolves, taller +than the moose and swifter than the eagle, was known to range these +mountains, running madly in chase. Always, on clear, cold nights, could +be seen the flashing of the moonbeams from their gleaming hungry sides, +and although many hunters had crossed the passes in other years, they +never returned, for the pack slew them. + +"Nothing could deter Itika, however, so he threaded his way up through +the range and, night coming, burrowed into a drift to sleep in his +caribou-skin. Peering out into the darkness, he saw the flashing lights +a thousand times brighter than ever before. The whole heavens were +ablaze with shifting streamers that raced and writhed back and forth in +wild revel. Listening, he heard the hiss and whine of dry snow under +the feet of the pack, and a distant noise as of rushing winds, although +the air was deathly still. + +"With daylight, he proceeded through the range, till he came out above +a magnificent valley. Descending the slope, he entered a forest of +towering spruce, while on all sides the snow was trampled with tracks +as wide as a snow-shoe. There came to him a noise which, as he +proceeded, increased till it filled the woods. It was a frightful din, +as though a thousand wolves were howling with the madness of the kill. +Cautiously creeping nearer, he found a monstrous white animal +struggling beneath a spruce which had fallen upon it in such fashion as +to pinion it securely. + +"All brave men are tender-hearted, so Itika set to work with his axe +and cleared away the burden, regardless of the peril to himself. When +he had released it, the beast arose and instead of running away +addressed him in the most polite and polished Indian, without a trace +of accent. + +"'You have saved my life. Now, what can I do for you?' + +"'I want to hunt in this valley. My people are starving,' said Itika, +at which the wolf was greatly pleased and rounded up the rest of the +pack to help in the kill. + +"Always 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, in a multitude, while the light of the moon +flickers from their white sides, flashing up into the sky in weird, +fantastic figures. Some people call it Northern Lights, but old Isaac +assured me earnestly, toothlessly, and with the light of ancient truth, +as I lay snow-blind in his lodge, that it is nothing more remarkable +than the spirit of Itika and the great white wolves." + +"What a queer legend!" she said. "There must be many of them in this +country. I feel that I am going to like the North." + +"Perhaps you will," Glenister replied, "although it is not a woman's +land." + +"Tell me what led you out here in the first place. You are an Eastern +man. You have had advantages, education--and yet you choose this. You +must love the North." + +"Indeed I do! It calls to a fellow in some strange way that a gentler +country never could. When once you've lived the long, lazy June days +that never end, and heard geese honking under a warm, sunlit midnight; +or when once you've hit the trail on a winter morning so sharp and +clear that the air stings your lungs, and the whole white, silent world +glistens like a jewel; yes--and when you've seen the dogs romping in +harness till the sled runners ring; and the distant mountain-ranges +come out like beautiful carvings, so close you can reach them--well, +there's something in it that brings you back--that's all, no matter +where you've lost yourself. It means health and equality and +unrestraint. That's what I like best, I dare say--the utter unrestraint. + +"When I was a school-boy, I used to gaze at the map of Alaska for +hours. I'd lose myself in it. It wasn't anything but a big, blank +corner in the North then, with a name, and mountains, and mystery. The +word 'Yukon' suggested to me everything unknown and weird--hairy +mastodons, golden river bars, savage Indians with bone arrow-heads and +seal-skin trousers. When I left college I came as fast as ever I +could--the adventure, I suppose.... + +"The law was considered my destiny. How the shades of old Choate and +Webster and Patrick Henry must have wailed when I forswore it. I'll bet +Blackstone 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 in. I'm not contented--don't think that. I'm +ambitious, but I prefer these surroundings to the others--that's all. +I'm realizing my desires. I've made a fortune--now I'll see what else +the world has." + +He suddenly turned to her. "See here," he abruptly questioned, "what's +your name?" + +She started, and glanced towards where Dextry had stood, only to find +that the old frontiersman had slipped away during the tale. + +"Helen Chester," she replied. + +"Helen Chester," he repeated, musingly. "What a pretty name! It seems +almost a pity to change it--to marry, as you will." + +"I am not going to Nome to get married." + +He glanced at her quickly. + +"Then you won't like this country. You are two years too early; you +ought to wait till there are railroads and telephones, and tables +d'hote, and chaperons. It's a man's country yet." + +"I don't see why it isn't a woman's country, too. Surely we can take a +part in taming it. Yonder on the Oregon is a complete railroad, which +will be running from the coast to the mines in a few weeks. Another +ship back there has the wire and poles and fixings for a telephone +system, which will go up in a night. As to tables d'hote, I saw a real +French count in Seattle with a monocle. He's bringing in a restaurant +outfit, imported snails, and pate de joies gras. All that's wanting is +the chaperon. In my flight from the Ohio I left mine. The sailors +caught her. You see I am not far ahead of schedule." + +"What part are you going to take in this taming process?" he asked. + +She paused long before replying, and when she did her answer sounded +like a jest. + +"I herald the coming of the law," she said. + +"The law! Bah! Red tape, a dead language, and a horde of shysters! I'm +afraid of law in this land; we're too new and too far away from things. +It puts too much power in too few hands. Heretofore we men up here have +had recourse to our courage and our Colts, but we'll have to unbuckle +them both when the law comes. I like the court that hasn't any appeal." +He laid hand upon his hip. + +"The Colts may go, but the courage never will," she broke in. + +"Perhaps. But I've heard rumors already of a plot to prostitute the +law. In Unalaska a man warned Dextry, with terror in his eye, to beware +of it; that beneath the cloak of Justice was a drawn dagger whetted for +us fellows who own the rich diggings. I don't think there's any truth +in it, but you can't tell." + +"The law is the foundation--there can't be any progress without it. +There is nothing here now but disorder." + +"There isn't half the disorder you think there is. There weren't any +crimes in this country till the tenderfeet 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 his 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 unpardonable breach of +etiquette--to fail to leave dry kindlings. I'm afraid of the transitory +stage we're coming to--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 +license 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, where life is just what it was intended to be--a survival +of the fittest." + +His large hands, as he 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 nostrils. +Unconsciously she approached him, drawn by the spell of his strength. + +"My pleasures are violent and my hate is mighty bitter in my mouth. +What I want, I take. That's been my way in the old life, and I'm too +selfish to give it up." + +He was gazing out upon the dimly lucent miles of ice; but now he turned +towards her, and, doing so, touched her warm hand next his on the rail. + +She was staring up at him unaffectedly, so close that the faint odor +from her hair reached him. Her expression was simply one of wonder and +curiosity at this type, so different from any she had known. But the +man's eyes were hot and blinded with the sight of her, and he felt only +her beauty heightened in the dim light, the brush of her garments, and +the small, soft hand beneath his. The thrill from the touch of it +surged over him--mastered him. + +"What I want--I take," he repeated, and then suddenly he reached forth +and, taking her in his arms, crushed her to him, kissing her softly, +fiercely, full upon the lips. For an instant she lay gasping and +stunned against his breast, then she tore her fist free and, with all +her force, struck him full in the face. + +It was as though she beat upon a stone. With one movement he forced her +arm to her side, smiling into her terrified eyes; then, holding her +like iron, he kissed her again and again upon the mouth, the eyes, the +hair--and released her. + +"I am going to love you--Helen," said he. + +"And may God strike me dead if I ever stop HATING you!" she cried, her +voice coming thick and hoarse with passion. + +Turning, she walked proudly forward towards her cabin, a trim, +straight, haughty figure; and he did not know that her knees were +shaking and weak. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE 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 in the deck state-room. + +Soon they picked up a mountainous coast which rose steadily into +majestic, barren ranges, still white with the melting snows; and at ten +in the evening under a golden sunset, amid screaming whistles, they +anchored in the roadstead of Nome. Before the rumble of her chains had +ceased or the echo from the fleet's salute had died from the shoreward +hills, the ship was surrounded 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 trailing lighters circled +discreetly about, awaiting the completion of certain formalities. These +over, the uniformed gentleman dropped back into his skiff and rowed +away. + +"A clean bill of health, captain," he shouted, saluting the commander. + +"Thank ye, sir," roared the sailor, and with that the row-boats swarmed +inward pirate-like, boarding the steamer from all quarters. + +As the master turned, he looked down from his bridge to the deck below, +full into the face of Dextry, who had been an intent witness of the +meeting. With unbending dignity, Captain Stephens let his left eyelid +droop slowly, while a boyish grin spread widely over his face. +Simultaneously, orders rang sharp and fast from the bridge, the crew +broke into feverish life, the creak of booms and the clank of +donkey-hoists arose. + +"We're here, Miss Stowaway," said Glenister, entering the girl's cabin. +"The inspector passed us and it's time for you to see the magic city. +Come, it's a wonderful sight." + +This was the first time they had been alone since the scene on the +after-deck, for, besides ignoring Glenister, she had managed that he +should not even see her except in Dextry's presence. Although he had +ever since been courteous and considerate, she felt the leaping +emotions that were hidden within him and longed to leave the ship, to +fly from the spell of his personality. Thoughts of him made her writhe, +and yet when he was near she could not hate him as she willed--he +overpowered her, he would not be hated, he paid no heed to her slights. +This very quality reminded her how willingly and unquestioningly he had +fought off the sailors from the Ohio at a word from her. She knew he +would do so again, and more, and it is hard to be bitter to one who +would lay down his life for you, even though he has +offended--particularly when he has the magnetism that sweeps you away +from your moorings. + +"There's no danger of being seen," he continued, "The crowd's crazy, +and, besides, we'll go ashore right away. You must be mad with the +confinement--it's on my nerves, too." + +As they stepped outside, the door of an adjacent cabin opened, framing +an angular, sharp-featured woman, who, catching sight of the girl +emerging from Glenister's state-room, paused with shrewdly narrowed +eyes, flashing quick, malicious glances from one to the other. They +came later to remember with regret this chance encounter, for it was +fraught with grave results for them both. + +"Good evening, Mr. Glenister," the lady said with acid cordiality. + +"Howdy, Mrs. Champian?" He moved away. + +She followed a step, staring at Helen. + +"Are you going ashore to-night or wait for morning?" + +"Don't know yet, I'm sure." Then aside to the girl he muttered, "Shake +her, she's spying on us." + +"Who is she?" asked Miss Chester, a moment later. + +"Her husband manages one of the big companies. She's an old cat." + +Gaining her first view of the land, the girl cried out, sharply. They +rode on an oily sea, tinted like burnished copper, while on all sides, +amid the faint rattle and rumble of machinery, scores of ships were +belching cargoes out upon living swarms of scows, tugs, stern-wheelers, +and dories. Here and there Eskimo oomiaks, fat, walrus-hide boats, slid +about like huge, many-legged water-bugs. An endless, ant-like stream of +tenders, piled high with freight, plied to and from the shore. A mile +distant lay the city, stretched like a white ribbon between the gold of +the ocean sand and the dun of the moss-covered tundra. It was like no +other in the world. At first glance it seemed all made of new white +canvas. In a week its population had swelled from three to thirty +thousand. It now wandered in a slender, sinuous line along the coast +for miles, because only the beach afforded dry camping ground. Mounting +to the bank behind, one sank knee-deep in moss and water, and, treading +twice in the same tracks, found a bog of oozing, icy mud. Therefore, as +the town doubled daily in size, it grew endwise like a string of +dominoes, till the shore from Cape Nome to Penny River was a long reach +of white, glinting in the low rays of the arctic sunset like foamy +breakers on a tropic island. + +"That's Anvil Creek up yonder," said Glenister. "There's where the +Midas lies. See!" He indicated a gap in the buttress of mountains +rolling back from the coast. "It's the greatest creek in the world. +You'll see gold by the mule-load, and hillocks of nuggets. Oh, I'm glad +to get back. THIS is life. That stretch of beach is full of gold. These +hills are seamed with quartz. The bed-rock of that creek is yellow. +There's gold, gold, gold, everywhere--more than ever was in old +Solomon's mines--and there's mystery and peril and things unknown." + +"Let us make haste," said the girl. "I have something I must do +to-night. After that, I can learn to know these things." + +Securing a small boat, they were rowed ashores the partners plying +their ferryman with eager questions. Having arrived five days before, +he was exploding with information and volunteered the fruits of his +ripe experience till Dextry stated that they were "sourdoughs" +themselves, and owned the Midas, whereupon Miss Chester marvelled at +the awe which sat upon the man and the wondering stare with which he +devoured the partners, to her own utter exclusion. + +"Sufferin' cats! Look at the freight!" ejaculated Dextry. "If a storm +come up it would bust the community!" + +The beach they neared was walled and crowded to the high-tide mark with +ramparts of merchandise, while every incoming craft deposited its quota +upon whatever vacant foot was close at hand, till bales, boxes, +boilers, and baggage of all kinds were confusedly intermixed in the +narrow space. Singing longshoremen trundled burdens from the lighters +and piled them on the heap, while yelling, cursing crowds fought over +it all, selecting, sorting, loading. + +There was no room for more, yet hourly they added to the mass. Teams +splashed through the lapping surf or stuck in the deep sand between +hillocks of goods. All was noise, profanity, congestion, and feverish +hurry. This burning haste rang in the voice of the multitude, showed in +its violence of gesture and redness of face, permeated the atmosphere +with a magnetic, electrifying energy. + +"It's somethin' fierce ashore," said the oarsman. "I been up fer three +days an' nights steady--there ain't no room, nor time, nor darkness to +sleep in. Ham an' eggs is a dollar an' a half, an' whiskey's four bits +a throw." He wailed the last, sadly, as a complaint unspeakable. + +"Any trouble doin'?" inquired the old man. + +"You KNOW it!" the other cried, colloquially. "There was a massacree in +the Northern last night." + +"Gamblin' row?" + +"Yep. Tin-horn called 'Missou' done it." + +"Sho!" said Dextry. "I know him. He's a bad actor." All three men +nodded sagely, and the girl wished for further light, but they +volunteered no explanation. + +Leaving the skiff, they plunged into turmoil. Dodging through the +tangle, they came out into fenced lots where tents stood wall to wall +and every inch was occupied. Here and there was a vacant spot guarded +jealously by its owner, who gazed sourly upon all men with the +forbidding eye of suspicion. Finding an eddy in the confusion, the men +stopped. + +"Where do you want to go?" they asked Miss Chester. + +There was no longer in Glenister's glance that freedom with which he +had come to regard the women of the North. He had come to realize dully +that here was a girl driven by some strong purpose into a position +repellent to her. In a man of his type, her independence awoke only +admiration and her coldness served but to inflame him the more. +Delicacy, in Glenister, was lost in a remarkable singleness of purpose. +He could laugh at her loathing, smile under her abuse, and remain +utterly ignorant that anything more than his action in seizing her that +night lay at the bottom of her dislike. He did not dream that he +possessed characteristics abhorrent to her; and he felt a keen +reluctance at parting. + +She extended both hands. + +"I can never thank you enough for what you have done--you two; but I +shall try. Good-bye!" + +Dextry gazed doubtfully at his own hand, rough and gnarly, then taking +hers as he would have handled a robin's egg, waggled it limply. + +"We ain't goin' to turn you adrift this-a-way. Whatever your +destination is, we'll see you to it." + +"I can find my friends," she assured him. + +"This is the wrong latitude in which to dispute a lady, but knowin' +this camp from soup to nuts, as I do, I su'gests a male escort." + +"Very well! I wish to find Mr. Struve, of Dunham & Struve, lawyers." + +"I'll take you to their offices," said Glenister. "You see to the +baggage, Dex. Meet me at the Second Class in half an hour and we'll run +out to the Midas." They pushed through the tangle of tents, past piles +of lumber, and emerged upon the main thoroughfare, which ran parallel +to the shore. + +Nome consisted of one narrow street, twisted between solid rows of +canvas and half-erected frame buildings, its every other door that of a +saloon. There were fair-looking blocks which aspired to the dizzy +height of three stories, some sheathed in corrugated iron, others +gleaming and galvanized. Lawyers' signs, doctors', surveyors', were in +the upper windows. The street was thronged with men from every +land--Helen Chester heard more dialects than she could count. +Laplanders in quaint, three-cornered, padded caps idled past. Men with +the tan of the tropics rubbed elbows with yellow-haired Norsemen, and +near her a carefully groomed Frenchman with riding-breeches and monocle +was in pantomime with a skin-clad Eskimo. To her left was the sparkling +sea, alive with ships of every class. To her right towered timberless +mountains, unpeopled, unexplored, forbidding, and desolate--their +hollows inlaid with snow. On one hand were the life and the world she +knew; on the other, silence, mystery, possible adventure. + +The roadway where she stood was a crush of sundry vehicles from +bicycles to dog-hauled water-carts, and on all sides men were laboring +busily, the echo of hammers mingling with the cries of teamsters and +the tinkle of music within the saloons. + +"And this is midnight!" exclaimed Helen, breathlessly. "Do they ever +rest?" + +"There isn't time--this is a gold stampede. You haven't caught the +spirit of it yet." They climbed the stairs in a huge, iron-sheeted +building to the office of Dunham. + +"Anybody else here besides you?" asked her escort of the lawyer. + +"No. I'm runnin' the law business unassisted. Don't need any help. +Dunham's in Wash'n'ton, D. C., the lan' of the home, the free of the +brave. What can I do for you?" + +He made to cross the threshold hospitably, but tripped, plunged +forward, and would have rolled down the stairs had not Glenister +gathered him up and borne him back into the office, where he tossed him +upon a bed in a rear room. + +"Now what, Miss Chester?" asked the young man, returning. + +"Isn't that dreadful?" she shuddered. "Oh, and I must see him +to-night!" She stamped impatiently. "I must see him alone." + +"No, you mustn't," said Glenister, with equal decision. "In the first +place, he wouldn't know what you were talking about, and in the second +place--I know Struve. He's too drunk to talk business and too sober +to--well, to see you alone." + +"But I MUST see him," she insisted. "It's what brought me here. You +don't understand." + +"I understand more than he could. He's in no condition to act on any +important matter. You come around to-morrow when he's sober." + +"It means so much," breathed the girl. "The beast!" + +Glenister noted that she had not wrung her hands nor even hinted at +tears, though plainly her disappointment and anxiety were consuming her. + +"Well, I suppose I'll have to wait, but I don't know where to go--some +hotel, I suppose." + +"There aren't any. They're building two, but to-night you couldn't hire +a room in Nome for money. I was about to say 'love or money.' Have you +no other friends here--no women? Then you must let me find a place for +you. I have a friend whose wife will take you in." + +She rebelled at this. Was she never to have done with this man's +favors? She thought of returning to the ship, but dismissed that. She +undertook to decline his aid, but he was half-way down the stairs and +paid no attention to her beginning--so she followed him. + +It was then that Helen Chester witnessed her first tragedy of the +frontier, and through it came to know better the man whom she disliked +and with whom she had been thrown so fatefully. Already she had +thrilled at the spell of this country, but she had not learned that +strength and license carry blood and violence as corollaries. + +Emerging from the doorway at the foot of the stairs, they drifted +slowly along the walk, watching the crowd. Besides the universal +tension, there were laughter and hope and exhilaration in the faces. +The enthusiasm of this boyish multitude warmed one. The girl wished to +get into this spirit--to be one of them. Then suddenly from the babble +at their elbows came a discordant note, not long nor loud, only a few +words, penetrating and harsh with the metallic quality lent by passion. + +Helen glanced over her shoulder to find that the smiles of the throng +were gone and that its eyes were bent on some scene in the street, with +an eager interest she had never seen mirrored before. Simultaneously +Glenister spoke: + +"Come away from here." + +With the quickened eye of experience he foresaw trouble and tried to +drag her on, but she shook off his grasp impatiently, and, turning, +gazed absorbed at the spectacle which unfolded itself before her. +Although not comprehending the play of events, she felt vaguely the +quick approach of some crisis, yet was unprepared for the swiftness +with which it came. + +Her eyes had leaped to the figures of two men in the street from whom +the rest had separated like oil from water. One was slim and well +dressed; the other bulky, mackinawed, and lowering of feature. It was +the smaller who spoke, and for a moment she misjudged his bloodshot +eyes and swaying carriage to be the result of alcohol, until she saw +that he was racked with fury. + +"Make good, I tell you, quick! Give me that bill of sale, you--." + +The unkempt man swung on his heel with a growl and walked away, his +course leading him towards Glenister and the girl. With two strides he +was abreast of them; then, detecting the flashing movement of the +other, he whirled like a wild animal. His voice had the snarl of a +beast in it. + +"Ye had to have it, didn't ye? Well, there!" + +The actions of both men were quick as light, yet to the girl's taut +senses they seemed theatrical and deliberate. Into her mind was seared +forever the memory of that second, as though the shutter of a camera +had snapped, impressing upon her brain the scene, sharp, clear-cut, and +vivid. The shaggy back of the large man almost brushing her, the +rage-drunken, white shirted man in the derby hat, the crowd sweeping +backward like rushes before a blast, men with arms flexed and feet +raised in flight, the glaring yellow sign of the "Gold Belt Dance Hall" +across the way--these were stamped upon her retina, and then she was +jerked violently backward, two strong arms crushed her down upon her +knees against the wall, and she was smothered in the arms of Roy +Glenister. + +"My God! Don't move! We're in line!" + +He crouched over her, his cheek against her hair, his weight forcing +her down into the smallest compass, his arms about her, his body +forming a living shield against the flying bullets. Over them the big +man stood, and the sustained roar of his gun was deafening. In an +instant they heard the thud and felt the jar of lead in the thin boards +against which they huddled. Again the report echoed above their heads, +and they saw the slender man in the street drop his weapon and spin +half round as though hit with some heavy hand. He uttered a cry and, +stooping for his gun, plunged forward, burying his face in the sand. + +The man by Glenister's side shouted curses thickly, and walked towards +his prostrate enemy, firing at every step. The wounded man rolled to +his side, and, raising himself on his elbow, shot twice, so rapidly +that the reports blended--but without checking his antagonist's +approach. Four more times the relentless assailant fired deliberately, +his last missile sent as he stood over the body which twitched and +shuddered at his feet, its garments muddy and smeared. Then he turned +and retraced his steps. Back within arm's-length of the two who pressed +against the building he came, and as he went by they saw his coarse and +sullen features drawn and working pallidly, while the breath whistled +through his teeth. He held his course to the door they had just +quitted, then as he turned he coughed bestially, spitting out a +mouthful of blood. His knees wavered. He vanished within the portals +and, in the sickly silence that fell, they heard his hob-nailed boots +clumping slowly up the stairs. + +Noise awoke and rioted down the thoroughfare. Men rushed forth from +every quarter, and the ghastly object in the dirt was hidden by a +seething mass of miners. + +Glenister 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 staring and horror-filled. + +"Don't be frightened," said he, smiling at her reassuringly; but his +own lips shook and the sweat stood out like dew on him; for they had +both 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 Mackinaw! When I see 'em blaze away I yells at ye fit +to bust my throat. I shore thought you was gone. Although I can't say +but this killin' was a sight for sore eyes--so neat an' genteel--still, +as a rule, in these street brawls it's the innocuous bystander that has +flowers sent around to his house afterwards." + +"Look at this," said Glenister. Breast-high in the wall against which +they had crouched, not three feet apart, were bullet holes. + +"Them's the first two he unhitched," Dextry remarked, jerking his head +towards the object in the street. "Must have been a new gun an' pulled +hard--throwed him to the right. See!" + +Even to the girl it was patent that, had she not been snatched as she +was, the bullet would have found her. + +"Come away quick," she panted, and they led her into a near-by store, +where she sank upon a seat and trembled until Dextry brought her a +glass of whiskey. + +"Here, Miss," he said. "Pretty tough go for a 'cheechako.' I'm afraid +you ain't gettin' enamoured of this here country a whole lot." + +For half an hour he talked to her, in his whimsical way, of foreign +things, till she was quieted. Then the partners arose to go. Although +Glenister had arranged for her to stop with the wife of the merchant +for the rest of the night, she would not. + +"I can't go to bed. Please don't leave me! I'm too nervous. I'll go MAD +if you do. The strain of the last week has been too much for me. If I +sleep I'll see the faces of those men again." + +Dextry talked with his companion, then made a purchase which he laid at +the lady's feet. + +"Here's a pair of half-grown gum boots. You put 'em on an' come with +us. We'll take your mind off of things complete. An' as fer sweet +dreams, when you get back you'll make the slumbers of the just seem as +restless as a riot, or the antics of a mountain-goat which nimbly leaps +from crag to crag, and--well, that's restless enough. Come on!" + +As the sun slanted up out of Behring Sea, they marched back towards the +hills, their feet ankle-deep in the soft fresh moss, while the air +tasted like a cool draught and a myriad of earthy odors rose up and +encircled them. Snipe and reed birds were noisy in the hollows and from +the misty tundra lakes came the honking of brant. After their weary +weeks on shipboard, the dewy freshness livened them magically, +cleansing from their 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 undo what he had done one night on the Santa Maria. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +WHEREIN A MAN APPEARS + + +In the lives of countries there are crises where, for a breath, +destinies lie in the laps of the gods and are jumbled, heads or tails. +Thus are marked distinctive cycles like the seven ages of a man, and +though, perhaps, they are too subtle to be perceived at the time, yet, +having swung past the shadowy milestones, the epochs disclose +themselves. + +Such a period in the progress of the Far Northwest was the nineteenth +day of July, although to those concerned in the building of this new +empire the day appealed only as the date of the coming of the law. All +Nome gathered on the sands as lighters brought ashore Judge Stillman +and his following. It was held fitting that the Senator should be the +ship to safeguard the dignity of the first court and to introduce +Justice into this land of the wild. + +The interest awakened by His Honor was augmented by the fact that he +was met on the beach by a charming girl, who flung herself upon him +with evident delight. + +"That's his niece," said some one. "She came up on the first +boat--name's Chester--swell looker, eh?" + +Another new-comer attracted even more notice than the limb of the law; +a gigantic, well-groomed man, with keen, close-set eyes, and that +indefinable easy movement and polished bearing that come from +confidence, 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. "Your name is a +household word in my part of the country. My people were mixed up in +Dakota politics somewhat, so I've always had a great admiration 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 trouble?" Dunham inquired when the three had +adjourned to a private room. + +"Trouble," said Struve, ruefully; "well, I wonder if I did. Miss +Chester brought me your instructions O.K. and I got busy right off. +But, tell me this--how did you get the girl to act as messenger?" + +"There was no one else to send," answered McNamara. "Dunham intended +sailing 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 examine the papers. That +would have meant--" He moved his hand eloquently. + +Struve nodded. "I see. Does she know what was in the documents?" + +"Decidedly not. Women and business don't mix. I hope you didn't tell +her anything." + +"No; I haven't had a chance. She seemed to take a dislike to me for +some reason, I haven't seen her since the day after she got here." + +"The Judge told her it had something to do with preparing the way for +his court," said Dunham, "and that if the papers were not delivered +before he arrived it might cause a lot of trouble--litigation, riots, +bloodshed, and all that. He filled her up on generalities till the girl +was frightened to death and thought the safety of her uncle and the +whole country depended on her." + +"Well," continued Struve, "it's dead easy to hire men to jump claims +and it's dead easy to buy their rights afterwards, particularly when +they know they haven't got any--but what course do you follow when +owners go gunning for you?" + +McNamara laughed. + +"Who did that?" + +"A benevolent, silver-haired old Texan pirate by the name of Dextry. +He's one half owner in the Midas and the other half mountain-lion; as +peaceable, you'd imagine, as a benediction, but with the temperament of +a Geronimo. I sent Galloway out to relocate the claim, and he got his +notices up in the night when they were asleep, but at 6 A.M. he came +flying back to my room and nearly hammered the door down. I've seen +fright in varied forms and phases, but he had them all, with some added +starters. + +"'Hide me out, quick!' he panted. + +"'What's up?' I asked. + +"'I've stirred up a breakfast of grizzly bear, smallpox, and sudden +death and it don't set well on my stummick. Let me in.' + +"I had to keep him hidden three days, for this 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." + +"I'll attend to that," said McNamara. + +Struve resumed: + +"Yes, gentlemen, I've been working 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--blackmail?" + +"Humph!" ejaculated McNamara. "What do you 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 astounding speech. + +In spite of himself, Wilton Struve, lawyer, rake, and gentlemanly +adventurer, felt his heart leap at what the other's daring implied. The +proposition was utterly past belief, and yet, looking into the man's +purposeful eyes, he believed. + +"That's big--awful big--TOO big," the younger man murmured. "Why, man, +it means you'll handle fifty thousand dollars a day!" + +Dunham shifted his feet in the silence and licked his dry lips. + +"Of course it's big, but Mr. McNamara's the biggest man that ever came +to Alaska," he said. + +"And I've got the biggest scheme that ever came north, backed by the +biggest men in Washington," continued the politician. "Look here!" He +displayed a type-written sheet bearing parallel lists of names and +figures. Struve gasped incredulously. + +"Those are my stockholders and that is their share in the venture. Oh, +yes; we're incorporated--under the laws of Arizona--secret, of course; +it would never do for the names to get out. I'm showing you this only +because I want you to be satisfied who's behind me." + +"Lord! I'm satisfied," said Struve, laughing nervously. "Dunham was +with you when you figured the scheme out and he met some of your +friends in Washington and New York. If he says it's all right, that +settles it. But say, suppose anything went wrong with the company and +it leaked out who those stockholders are?" + +"There's no danger. I have the books where they will be burned at the +first sign. We'd have had our own land laws passed but for Sturtevant +of Nevada, damn him. He blocked us in the Senate. However, my plan is +this." He rapidly outlined his proposition to the listeners, while a +light of admiration grew and shone in the reckless face of Struve. + +"By heavens! you're a wonder!" he cried, at the close, "and I'm with +you body and soul. It's dangerous--that's why I like it." + +"Dangerous?" McNamara shrugged his shoulders. "Bah! Where is the +danger? We've got the law--or rather, we ARE 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 tackled 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 flamboyant, 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 clear 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 a +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." + +"Indeed!" said the old man, his shifting eyes now resting full on the +other with a flash of unmistakable interest. "I hear that is a +wonderful mine. Have you begun work yet?" + +"No. We'll commence sluicing day after to-morrow. It has been a late +spring. The snow in the gulch was deep and the ground thaws slowly. +We've been building houses and doing dead work, but we've got our men +on the ground, waiting." + +"I am greatly interested. Won't you walk with us to the hotel? I want +to hear more about these wonderful placers." + +"Well, they ARE great placers," said the miner, as the three walked on +together; "nobody knows HOW great because we've only scratched at them +yet. In the first place the ground is so shallow and the gold is so +easy to get, that if nature didn't safeguard us in the winter we'd +never dare leave our claims for fear of 'snipers.' They'd run in and +rob us." + +"How much will the Anvil Creek mines produce this summer?" asked the +Judge. + +"It's hard to tell, sir; but we expect to average five thousand a day +from the Midas alone, and there are other claims just as good." + +"Your title is all clear, I dare say, eh?" + +"Absolutely, except for one jumper, and we don't take him seriously. A +fellow named Galloway relocated us one night last month, but he didn't +allege any grounds for doing so, and we could never find trace of him. +If we had, our title would be as clean as snow again." He said the last +with a peculiar inflection. + +"You wouldn't use violence, I trust?" + +"Sure! Why not? It has worked all right heretofore." + +"But, my dear sir, those days are gone. The law is here and it is the +duty of every one to abide by it." + +"Well, perhaps it is; but in this 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 Glenister 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 have done for me; but that isn't all. There is something +deeper. You saved my life and I'm grateful, but you frighten me, +always. It is the cruelty in your strength, it is something away back +in you--lustful, and ferocious, and wild, and crouching." + +He smiled wryly. + +"It is my local color, maybe--absorbed from this country. I'll try to +change, though, if you want me to. I'll let them rope and throw and +brand me. I'll take on the graces of civilization and put away revenge +and ambition and all the rest of it, if it will make you like me any +better. Why, I'll even promise not to violate the person of our +claim-jumper if I catch him; and Heaven knows THAT means that Samson +has parted with his locks." + +"I think I could like you if you did," she said, "but you can't do it. +You are a savage." + + There are no clubs nor marts where men foregather for business in +the North--nothing but the saloon, and this is all and more than a +club. Here men congregate to drink, to gamble, and to traffic. + +It was late in the evening when Glenister entered the Northern and +passed idly down the row of games, pausing at the crap-table, where he +rolled the dice when his turn came. Moving to the roulette-wheel, he +lost a stack of whites, but at the faro "lay-out" his luck was better, +and he won a gold coin on the "high-card." Whereupon he promptly +ordered a round of drinks for the men grouped about him, a formality +always precedent to overtures of general friendship. + +As he paused, glass in hand, his eyes were drawn to a man who stood +close by, talking earnestly. The aspect of the stranger challenged +notice, for he stood high above his companions with a peculiar grace of +attitude in place of the awkwardness common in men of great stature. +Among those who were listening intently to the man's carefully +modulated tones, Glenister recognized Mexico Mullins, the ex-gambler +who had given Dextry the warning at Unalaska. As he further studied the +listening group, a drunken man staggered uncertainly through the wide +doors of the saloon and, gaining sight of the tall stranger, blinked, +then approached him, speaking with a loud voice: + +"Well, if 'tain't ole Alec McNamara! How do, ye ole pirate!" + +McNamara nodded and turned his back coolly upon the new-comer. + +"Don't turn your dorsal fin to me; I wan' to talk to ye." + +McNamara continued his calm discourse till he received a vicious whack +on the shoulder; then he turned for a moment to interrupt his +assailant's garrulous profanity: + +"Don't bother me. I am engaged." + +"Ye won' talk to me, eh? Well, I'm goin' to talk to YOU, 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 seized and whirled him about, +repeating his abuse, encouraged by this apparent patience. + +"Your pardon for an instant, gentlemen." McNamara laid a large white +and manicured hand upon the flannel sleeve of the miner and gently +escorted him through the entrance to the sidewalk, while the crowd +smiled. + +As they cleared the threshold, however, he clenched his fist without a +word and, raising it, struck the sot fully and cruelly upon the jaw. +His victim fell silently, the back of his head striking the boards with +a hollow thump; then, without even observing how he lay, McNamara +re-entered the saloon and took up his conversation where he had been +interrupted. His voice was as evenly regulated as his movements, +betraying not a sign of anger, excitement, or bravado. He lit a +cigarette, extracted a note-book, and jotted down certain memoranda +supplied him by Mexico Mullins. + +All this time the body lay across the threshold without a sign of life. +The buzz of the roulette-wheel was resumed and the crap-dealer began +his monotonous routine. Every eye was fixed on the nonchalant man at +the bar, but the unconscious creature outside the threshold lay +unheeded, for in these men's code it behooves the most humane to +practise a certain aloofness in the matter of private brawls. + +Having completed his notes, McNamara shook hands gravely with his +companions and strode out through the door, past the bulk that sprawled +across his path, and, without pause or glance, disappeared. + +A dozen willing, though unsympathetic, hands laid the drunkard on the +roulette-table, where the bartender poured pitcher upon pitcher of +water over him. + +"He ain't hurt none to speak of," said a bystander; then added, with +enthusiasm: + +"But say! There's a MAN in this here camp!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +AND A MINE IS JUMPED + + +"Who's your new shift boss?" Glenister inquired 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 immoderately, 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 angular shoulders by suspenders of alarming frailty. His legs +were lost in gum boots, also loose and cavernous, and his entire +costume looked relaxed and flapping, 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 grizzled 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?" + +"Naw! He ain't bald at all. He shaves his nob. In the early days he +wore a long flowin' mane which was inhabited by crickets, tree-toads, +and such fauna. It got to be a hobby with him finally, so that he +growed superstitious about goin' uncurried, and would back into a +corner with both guns drawed if a barber came near him. But once +Hank--that's his real name--undertook to fry some slapjacks, and in +givin' the skillet a heave, the dough lit among his forest primeval, +jest back of his ears, soft side down. Hank polluted the gulch with +langwidge which no man had ought to keep in himself without it was +fumigated. Disreppitableness oozed out through him like sweat through +an ice-pitcher, an' since then he's been known as Slapjack Simms, an' +has kept his head shingled smooth as a gun bar'l. He's a good miner, +though; ain't none better--an' square as a die." + +Sluicing had begun on the Midas. Long sinuous lengths of canvas hose +wound down the creek bottom from the dam, like gigantic serpents, while +the roll of gravel through the flumes mingled musically with the rush +of waters, the tinkle of tools, and the song of steel on rock. There +were four "strings" of boxes abreast, and the heaving line of +shovellers ate rapidly into the creek bed, while teams with scrapers +splashed through the tail races in an atmosphere of softened profanity. +In the big white tents which sat back from the bluffs, fifty men of the +night shift were asleep; for there is no respite here--no night, no +Sunday, no halt, during the hundred days in which the Northland lends +herself to pillage. + +The mine lay cradled between wonderful, mossy, willow-mottled +mountains, while above and below the gulch was dotted with tents and +huts, and everywhere, from basin to hill crest, men dug and blasted, +punily, patiently, while their tracks grew daily plainer over the face +of this inscrutable wilderness. + +A great contentment filled the two partners as they 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 Mexicos 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 +rushing stream 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 threatened spot to support it, Slapjack Simms, with a shriek, +plunged flapping down into the cut and seized the flume. His great +height stood him in good stead now, for where the joint had opened, +water poured forth in a cataract, He dived under the breach +unhesitatingly and, stooping, lifted the line as near to its former +level as possible, holding the entire burden upon his naked pate. He +gesticulated wildly for help, while over him poured the deluge of icy, +muddy water. It entered his gaping waistband, bulging out his yellow +trousers till they were fat and full and the seams were bursting, while +his yawning boot-tops became as boiling springs. Meanwhile he chattered +forth profanity in such volume that the ear ached under it as must have +ached the heroic Slapjack under the chill of the melting snow. He was +relieved quickly, however, and emerged triumphant, though blue and +puckered, his wilderness of whiskers streaming like limber stalactites, +his boots loosely "squishing," while oaths still poured from him in +such profusion that Dextry whispered: + +"Ain't he a ring-tailed wonder? It's plumb solemn an' reverent the way +he makes them untamed cuss-words sit up an' beg. It's a privilege to be +present. That's a GIFT, that is." + +"You'd better get some dry clothes," they suggested, and Slapjack +proceeded a few paces towards the tents, hobbling as though treading on +pounded glass. + +"Ow--w!" he yelled. "These blasted boots is full of gravel." + +He seated himself and tugged at his foot till the boot came away with a +sucking sound, then, instead of emptying the accumulation at random, he +poured the contents into Dextry's empty gold-pan, rinsing it out +carefully. The other boot he emptied likewise. They held a surprising +amount of sediment, because 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 prospect." + +With artful passes Dextry settled it in the pan bottom 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 +undercurrents an' blanket riffles. I'll have to wash these garments of +mine an' clean up the soapsuds 'cause there's a hundred dollars in +gold-dust clingin' to my person this minute." He went dripping 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 ounces, the way that ground prospects." He loped down the +gulch, while his partner returned to the pit, the flashing shovel +blades, and the rumbling undertone of the big workings that so +fascinated him. It was perhaps four o'clock when he was aroused from +his labors by a shout from the bunk-tent, where a group of horsemen had +clustered. As Glenister drew near, he saw among them Wilton Struve, the +lawyer, and the big, well-dressed tenderfoot of the +Northern--McNamara--the man of the heavy hand. Struve straightway +engaged him. + +"Say, Glenister, we've come out to see about the title to this claim." + +"What about it?" + +"Well, it was relocated about a month ago." He paused. + +"Yes. What of that?" + +"Galloway has commenced suit." + +"The ground belongs to Dextry and me. We discovered it, we opened it +up, we've complied with the law, and we're going to hold it." Glenister +spoke with such conviction and heat as to nonplus Struve, but McNamara, +who had sat his horse silently until now, answered: + +"Certainly, sir; if your title is good you will be protected, but the +law has arrived in Alaska and we've got to let it take its course. +There's no need of violence--none whatever--but, briefly, the situation +is this: Mr. Galloway has commenced action against you; the court has +enjoined you from working and has appointed me as receiver to operate +the mine until the suit is settled. It's an extraordinary procedure, of +course, but the conditions are extraordinary in this country. The +season is so short that it would be unjust to the rightful owner if the +claim lay idle all summer--so, to avoid that, I've been put in charge, +with instructions to operate it and preserve the proceeds subject to +the court's order. Mr. Voorhees here is the United States Marshal. He +will serve the papers." + +Glenister threw up his hand in a gesture of restraint. + +"Hold on! Do you mean to tell me that any court would recognize such a +claim as Galloway's?" + +"The law recognizes 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 commenced. We've never even been served +with a summons and we haven't had a chance to argue in our own defence." + +"I have just said that this is a remarkable state 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 in the ground. We'll +knock off work and let the claim lie idle till the thing is settled. +You can't really expect us to surrender possession of our mine on the +mere allegation of some unknown man. That's ridiculous. We won't do it. +Why, you'll have to let us argue our case, at least, before you try to +put us off." + +Voorhees shook his head. "We'll have to follow instructions. The thing +for you to do is to appear before the court to-morrow and have the +receiver dismissed. If your title is as good as you say it is, you +won't have any trouble." + +"You're not the only ones to suffer," added McNamara. "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--" + +"How much?" + +"Five thousand dollars for each claim." + +"What! Why, heavens, man, the poorest of these mines is producing that +much every day!" + +While he spoke, Glenister was rapidly debating what course to follow. + +"The place to argue this thing is before Judge Stillman," said +Struve--but with little notion of the conflict going on within +Glenister. The youth yearned to fight--not with words nor quibbles nor +legal phrases, but with steel and blows. And he felt that the impulse +was as righteous as it was natural, for he knew this process was +unjust, an outrage. Mexico Mullins's warning recurred to him. And +yet--. He shifted slowly as he talked till his back was to the door of +the big tent. They were watching him carefully, for all their apparent +languor and looseness in saddle; then as he started to leap within and +rally his henchmen, his mind went back to the words of Judge Stillman +and his niece. Surely that old man was on the square. He couldn't be +otherwise with her beside him, believing in him; and a suspicion of +deeper plots behind these actions was groundless. So far, all was +legal, he supposed, with his scant knowledge of law; though the methods +seemed unreasonable. The men might be doing what they thought to be +right. Why be the first to resist? The men on the mines below had not +done so. The title to this ground was capable of such easy proof that +he and Dex need have no uneasiness. Courts do not rob honest people +nowadays, he argued, and moreover, perhaps the girl's words were true, +perhaps she WOULD think more of him if he gave up the old fighting ways +for her sake. Certainly armed resistance to her uncle's first edict +would not please her. She had said he was too violent, so he would show +her he could lay his savagery aside. She might smile on him +approvingly, and that was 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 Simms. + +"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. "I'll say when to shoot." He +turned to look into the muzzles of guns held in the hands of every +horseman--every horseman save one, for Alec McNamara sat unmoved, his +handsome features, nonchalant and amused, nodding 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 +incredulously. + +"Well, of all the different kinds 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. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE "BRONCO KID'S" EAVESDROPPING + + +Late in July it grows dark as midnight approaches, so that the many +lights from doorway and window seem less garish and strange than they +do a month earlier. In the Northern there was good business doing. The +new bar fixtures, which had cost a king's ransom, or represented the +one night's losings of a Klondike millionaire, shone rich, dark, and +enticing, while the cut glass sparkled with iridescent hues, +reflecting, in a measure, the prismatic moods, the dancing spirits of +the crowd that crushed past, halting at the gambling games, or +patronizing the theatre in the rear. The old bar furniture, brought +down by dog team from "Up River," was established at the rear extremity +of the long building, just inside the entrance to the dancehall, where +patrons of the drama might, with a modicum of delay and inconvenience, +quaff as deeply of the beaker as of the ballet. + +Now, however, the show had closed, the hall had been cleared of chairs +and canvas, exposing a glassy, tempting surface, and the orchestra had +moved to the stage. They played a rollicking, blood-stirring two-step, +while the floor swam with dancers. + +At certain intervals the musicians worked feverishly up to a crashing +crescendo, supported by the voices of the dancers, until all joined at +the top note in a yell, while the drummer fired a .44 Colt into a box +of wet sawdust beside his chair--all in time, all in the swinging +spirit of the tune. + +The men, who were mostly young, danced like college boys, while the +women, who were all young and good dancers, floated through the +measures with the ease of rose-leaves on a summer stream. Faces were +flushed, eyes were bright, and but rarely a voice sounded that was not +glad. Most of the noise came from the men, and although one caught, +here and there, a hint of haggard lines about the girlish faces, and +glimpsed occasional eyes that did not smile, yet as a whole the scene +was one of genuine enjoyment. + +Suddenly the music ceased and the couples crowded to the bar. The women +took harmless drinks, the men, mostly whiskey. Rarely was the choice of +potations criticised, though occasionally some ruddy eschewer of +sobriety insisted that his lady "take the same," avowing that "hootch," +having been demonstrated beneficial in his case, was good for her also. +Invariably the lady accepted without dispute, and invariably the man +failed to note her glance at the bartender, or the silent substitution +by that capable person of ginger-ale for whiskey or of plain water for +gin. In turn, the mixers collected one dollar from each man, flipping +to the girl a metal percentage-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 idle, but, on the +other hand, she was able to pocket for each bottle a check redeemable +at five dollars. + +A stranger, straight from the East, would have remarked first upon the +good music, next upon the good looks of the women, and then upon the +shabby clothes of the men--for some of them were in "mukluk," others in +sweaters with huge initials and winged emblems, and all were collarless. + +Outside in the main gambling-room there were but few women. Men crowded +in dense masses about the faro lay-out, the wheel, craps, the Klondike +game, pangingi, and the card-tables. They talked of business, of home, +of women, bought and sold mines, and bartered all things from hams to +honor. The groomed and clean, the unkempt and filthy jostled shoulder +to shoulder, equally affected by the license of the goldfields and the +exhilaration of the New. The mystery of the North had touched them all. +The glad, bright wine of adventure filled their veins, and they spoke +mightily of things they had resolved to do, or recounted with simple +diffidence the strange stories of their accomplishment. + +The "Bronco Kid," familiar from Atlin to Nome as the best "bank" dealer +on the Yukon, worked the shift from eight till two. He was a slender +man of thirty, dexterous in movement, slow to smile, soft of voice, and +known as a living flame among women. He had dealt the biggest games of +the early days, and had no enemies. Yet, though many called him friend, +they wondered inwardly. + +It was a strong play the Kid had to-night, for Swede Sam, of Dawson, +ventured many stacks of yellow chips, and he was a quick, aggressive +gambler. A Jew sat at the king end with ten neatly creased +one-thousand-dollar bills before him, together with piles of smaller +currency. He adventured viciously and without system, while outsiders +to the number of four or five cut in sporadically with small bets. The +game was difficult to follow; consequently the lookout, from his raised +dais, was leaning forward, chin in hand, while the group was hedged +about by eager on-lookers. + +Faro is a closed book to most people, for its intricacies are +confusing. Lucky is he who has never persevered in solving its +mysteries nor speculated upon the "systems" of beating it. From those +who have learned it, the game demands practice, dexterity, and +coolness. The dealer must run the cards, watch the many shifting bets, +handle the neatly piled checks, figure, lightning-like, the profits and +losses. It was his unerring, clock like regularity in this that had won +the Kid his reputation. This night his powers were taxed. He dealt +silently, scowlingly, his long white fingers nervously caressing the +cards. + +This preoccupation prevented his noticing the rustle and stir of a +new-comer who had crowded up behind him, until he caught the wondering +glances of those in front and saw that the Israelite was staring past +him, his money forgotten, his eyes beady and sharp, his rat-like teeth +showing in a grin of admiration. Swede Sam glared from under his +unkempt shock and felt uncertainly towards the open collar of his +flannel shirt where a kerchief should have been. The men who were +standing gazed at the new-comer, some with surprise, others with a half +smile of recognition. + +Bronco glanced quickly over his shoulder, and as he did so the breath +caught in his throat--but for only an instant. A girl stood so close +beside him that the lace of her gown brushed his sleeve. He was +shuffling at the moment and dropped a card, then nodded to her. +speaking quietly, as he stooped to regain the pasteboard: + +"Howdy, Cherry?" + +She did not answer--only continued to look at the "lay-out." "What a +woman!" he thought. She was not too tall, with smoothly rounded bust +and hips, and long waist, all well displayed by her perfectly fitting +garments. Her face was oval, the mouth rather large, the eyes of dark, +dark-blue, prominently outlined under thin, silken lids. Her dull-gold +hair was combed low over the ears, and her smile showed rows of +sparkling teeth before it dived into twin dimples. Strangest of all, it +was an innocent face, the face and smile of a school-girl. + +The Kid finished his shuffling awkwardly and slid the cards into the +box. Then the woman spoke: + +"Let me have your place, Bronco." + +The men gasped, the Jew snickered, the lookout straightened in his +chair. + +"Better not. It's a hard game," said the Kid, but her voice was +imperious as she commanded him: + +"Hurry up. Give me your place." + +Bronco arose, whereupon she settled in his chair, tucked in her skirts, +removed her gloves, and twisted into place the diamonds on her hands. + +"What the devil's this?" said the lookout, roughly. "Are you drunk, +Bronco? Get out of that chair, miss." + +She turned to him slowly. The innocence had fled from her features and +the big eyes flashed warningly. A change had coarsened her like a puff +of air on a still pool. Then, while she stared at him, her lids drooped +dangerously and her lip curled. + +"Throw him out, Bronco," she said, and her tones held the hardness of a +mistress to her slave. + +"That's all right," the Kid reassured the lookout. "She's a better +dealer than I am. This is Cherry Malotte." + +Without noticing the stares this evoked, the girl commenced. Her hands, +beautifully soft and white, flashed over the board. She dealt rapidly, +unfalteringly, 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, removing the extra disks, as is +the custom. When she stretched forth her hand she grasped the right +number unerringly. This is considered the acme of professional finish, +and the Bronco Kid smiled delightedly 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 unnatural. Silently and without apparent notice he passed +friends who greeted him. + +"What ails Glenister to-night?" asked a by-stander. "He acts funny," + +"Ain't you heard? Why, the Midas has been jumped. He's in a bad +way--all broke up." + +The girl suddenly ceased without finishing the deck, and arose. + +"Don't stop," said the Kid, while a murmur of dismay came from the +spectators. She only shook her head and drew on her gloves with a show +of ennui. + +Gliding through the crowd, she threaded about aimlessly, the recipient +of many stares though but few greetings, speaking with no one, a +certain dignity serving her as a barrier even here. She stopped a +waiter and questioned him. + +"He's up-stairs in a gallery box." + +"Alone?" + +"Yes'm. Anyhow, he was a minute ago, unless some of the rustlers has +broke in on him." + +A moment later Glenister, watching the scene below, was aroused from +his gloomy absorption by the click of the box door and the rustle of +silken skirts. + +"Go out, please," he said, without turning. "I don't want company." +Hearing no answer, he began again, "I came here to be alone"--but there +he ceased, for the girl had come forward and laid her two hot hands +upon his cheeks. + +"Boy," she breathed--and he arose swiftly. + +"Cherry! When did you come?" + +"Oh, DAYS ago," she said, impatiently, "from Dawson. They told me you +had struck it. I stood it as long as I could--then I came to you. Now, +tell me about yourself. Let me see you first, quick!" + +She pulled him towards the light and gazed upward, devouring him +hungrily with her great, languorous eyes. She held to his coat lapels, +standing close beside him, her warm breath beating up into his face. + +"Well," she said, "kiss me!" + +He took her wrists in his and loosed her hold, then looked down on her +gravely and said: + +"No--that's all over. I told you 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 love you too much to let you go." + +"Hush!" said he. "There are people in the next box." + +"I don't care! Let them hear," she cried, with feminine recklessness. +"I'm proud of my love for you. I'll tell it to them--to the whole +world." + +"Now, see here, little girl," he said, quietly, "we had a long talk in +Dawson and agreed that it was best to divide our ways. I was mad over +you once, as a good many other men have been, but I came to my senses. +Nothing could ever result from it, and I told you so." + +"Yes, yes--I know. I thought I could give you up, but I didn't realize +till you had gone how I wanted you. Oh, it's been a TORTURE to me every +day for the past two years." There was no semblance now to the cold +creature she had appeared upon entering the gambling-hall. She spoke +rapidly, her whole body tense with emotion, her voice shaken with +passion. "I've seen men and men and men, and they've loved 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 can't stand it. I'll give up everything--I'll do anything +just to be where you are. What do you think of a woman who will beg? +Oh, I've lost my pride--I'm a fool--a fool--but I can't help it." + +"I'm sorry you feel this way," said Glenister. "It isn't my fault, and +it isn't of any use." + +For an instant she stood quivering, while the light died out of her +face; then, with a characteristic change, she smiled till the dimples +laughed in her cheeks. She sank upon a seat beside him and pulled +together the curtains, shutting out the sight below. + +"Very well"--then she put his hand to her cheek and cuddled it. "I'm +glad to see you just the same, and you can't keep me from loving you." + +With his other hand he smoothed her hair, while, unknown to him and +beneath her lightness, she shrank and quivered at his touch like a +Barbary steed under the whip. + +"Things are very bad with me," he said. "We've had our mine jumped." + +"Bah! You know what to do. You aren't a cripple--you've got five +fingers on your gun hand." + +"That's it! They all tell me that--all the old-timers; but I don't know +what to do. I thought I did--but I don't. The law has come into this +country and I've tried to meet it half-way. They jumped us and put in a +receiver--a big man--by the name of McNamara. Dex wasn't there and I +let them do it. When the old man learned of it he nearly went crazy. We +had our first quarrel. He thought I was afraid--" + +"Not he," said the girl. "I know him and he knows you." + +"That was a week ago. We've hired the best lawyer in Nome--Bill +Wheaton--and we've tried to have the injunction removed. We've offered +bond in any sum, but the Judge refuses to accept it. We've argued for +leave to appeal, but he won't give us the right. The more I look into +it the worse it seems, for the court wasn't convened in accordance with +law, we weren't notified to appear in our own behalf, we weren't +allowed a chance to argue our own case--nothing. They simply slapped on +a receiver, and now they refuse to allow us redress. From a legal +stand-point, it's appalling, I'm told--but what's to be done? What's +the game? That's the thing. What are they up to? I'm nearly out of my +mind, for it's all my fault. I didn't think it meant anything like this +or I'd have made a fight for possession and stood them off 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 it's up to me and +the Almighty to get it back. If he gets full he'll drive 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 round." + +"What've they got against you and Dextry--some grudge?" she questioned. + +"No, no! We're not the only ones in trouble; they'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 crazy; they've hired all the +lawyers in town, and are murdering more good American language than +would fill Bering Strait. Dex is in favor of getting our friends +together and throwing the receiver off. He wants to kill somebody, but +we can't do that. They've got the soldiers to fall back on. We've been +warned that the troops are instructed to enforce the court's action. I +don't know what the plot is, for I can't believe the old Judge is +crooked--the girl wouldn't let him." + +"Girl?" + +Cherry Malotte leaned forward where the light shone on the young man's +worried face. + +"The girl? What girl? Who is she?" + +Her voice had lost its lazy caress, her lips had thinned. Never was a +woman's face more eloquent, mused Glenister as he noted her. Every +thought fled to this window to peer forth, fearful, lustful, hateful, +as the case might be. He had loved to play with her in the former days, +to work upon her passions and watch the changes, to note her features +mirror every varying emotion from tenderness to flippancy, from anger +to delight, and, at his bidding, to see the pale cheeks glow with +love's fire, the eyes grow heavy, the dainty lips invite kisses. Cherry +was a perfect little spoiled animal, he reflected, and a very dangerous +one. + +"What girl?" she questioned again, and he knew beforehand the look that +went with it. + +"The girl I intend to marry," he said, slowly, looking her between the +eyes. + +He knew he was cruel--he wanted to be--it satisfied the clamor and +turmoil within him, while he also felt that the sooner she knew and the +colder it left her the better. He could not note the effect of the +remark on her, however, for, as he spoke, the door of the box opened +and the head of the Bronco Kid appeared, then retired instantly with +apologies. + +"Wrong stall," he said, in his slow voice. "Looking for another party." +Nevertheless, his eyes had covered every inch of them--noted the drawn +curtains and the breathless poise of the woman--while his ears had +caught part of Glenister's speech. + +"You won't marry her," said Cherry, quietly. "I don't know who she is, +but I won't let you marry her." + +She rose and smoothed her skirts. + +"It's time nice people were going now." She said it with a sneer at +herself. "Take me out through this crowd. I'm living quietly and I +don't want these beasts to follow me." + +As they emerged from the theatre the morning air was cool and quiet, +while the sun was just rising. The Bronco Kid lighted a cigar as they +passed, nodding silently at their greeting. His eyes followed them, +while his hands were so still that the match burned through to his +fingers--then when they had gone his teeth met and ground savagely +through the tobacco so that the cigar fell, while he muttered: + +"So that's the girl you intend to marry? We'll see, by God!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +DEXTRY MAKES A CALL + + +The water front had a strong attraction for Helen Chester, and rarely +did a fair day pass without finding her in some quiet spot from which +she could watch the shifting life along its edge, the ships at anchor, +and the varied incidents of the surf. + +This morning she sat in a dory pulled high up on the beach, bathed in +the bright sunshine, and staring at the rollers, while lines of +concentration wrinkled her brow. The wind had blown for some days till +the ocean beat heavily across the shallow bar, and now, as it became +quieter, longshoremen were launching their craft, preparing to resume +their traffic. + +Not until the previous day had the news of her friends' misfortune come +to her, and although she had heard no hint of fraud, she began to +realize that they were involved in a serious tangle. To the questions +which she anxiously put to her uncle he had replied that their +difficulty arose from a technicality in the mining laws which another +man had been shrewd enough to profit by. It was a complicated question, +he said, and one requiring time to thrash out to an equitable +settlement. She had undertaken to remind him of the service these men +had done her, but, with a smile, he interrupted; he could not allow +such things to influence his judicial attitude, and she must not +endeavor to prejudice him in the discharge of his duty. Recognizing the +justice of this, she had desisted. + +For many days the girl had caught scattered talk between the Judge and +McNamara, and between Struve and his associates, but it all seemed +foreign and dry, and beyond the fact that it bore on the litigation +over the Anvil Creek mines, she understood nothing and cared less, +particularly as a new interest had but recently come into her life, an +interest in the form of a man--McNamara. + +He had begun with quiet, half-concealed admiration of her, which had +rapidly increased until his attentions had become of a singularly +positive and resistless character. + +Judge Stillman was openly delighted, while the court of one like Alec +McNamara could but flatter any girl. In his presence, Helen felt +herself rebelling at his suit, yet as distance separated them she +thought ever more kindly of it. This state of mind contrasted oddly +with her feelings towards the other man she had met, for in this +country there were but two. When Glenister was with her she saw his +love lying nakedly in his eyes and it exercised some spell which drew +her to him in spite of herself, but when he had gone, back came the +distrust, the terror of the brute she felt was there behind it all. The +one appealed to her while present, the other pled strongest while away. +Now she was attempting to analyze her feelings and face the future +squarely, for she realized that her affairs neared a crisis, and this, +too, not a month after meeting the men. She wondered if she would come +to love her uncle's friend. She did not know. Of the other she was +sure--she never could. + +Busied with these reflections, she noticed the familiar figure of +Dextry wandering aimlessly. He was not unkempt, and yet his air gave +her the impression of prolonged sleeplessness. Spying her, he +approached and seated himself in the sand against the boat, while at +her greeting he broke into talk as if he was needful only of her +friendly presence to stir his confidential chords into active vibration. + +"We're in turrible shape, miss," he said. "Our claim's jumped. Somebody +run in and talked the boy out of it while I was gone, and now we can't +get 'em off. He's been tryin' this here new law game that you-all +brought in this summer. I've been drunk--that's 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 inform you that his surcingle had broken or that he had witnessed +a lynching. + +"What made them jump your claim?" + +"I don't know. I don't know nothin' about it, because, as I remarked +previous, I 'ain't follered the totterin' footsteps of the law none too +close. Nor do I intend to. I simply draws out of the game fer a spell, +and lets the youngster have his fling; then if he can't make good, I'll +take the cards and finish it for him. + +"It's like the time I was ranchin' with an Englishman up in Montana. +This here party claimed the misfortune of bein' a younger son, whatever +that is, and is grubstaked to a ranch by his people back home. Havin' +acquired an intimate knowledge of the West by readin' Bret Harte, and +havin' assim'lated the secrets 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 all about everything +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'll hunt 'em. Ay, +hunt 'em! Only fawncy the sport we'll 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. + +"'Fight?' says H'Anglish. 'My deah man, they're full-blooded. Cost +seventy pun each. They're dreadful creatures when they're +roused--they'll tear a wolf to pieces like a rag--kill bears--anything. +Oh! Rully, perfectly dreadful!' + +"Well, it wasn't a week later that he went over to the east line with +me to mend a barb wire. I had my pliers and a hatchet and some staples. +About a mile 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. H'Anglish was simply +frothin' with excitement. + +"'What a misfortune! Neyther gun nor hounds.' + +"'I'll scratch his back and talk pretty to him,' says I, 'while you run +back and get a Winchester and them ferocious bull-dogs.' + +"'Wolf-hounds,' says he, with dignity, 'full-blooded, seventy pun each. +They'll rend the poor beast limb from limb. I hate to do it, but it 'll +be good practice for them.' + +"'They may be good renders,' says I, 'but don't forgit the gun.' + +"Well, 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 the bear--first one they'd ever smelled, 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'. + +"'How you goin' to get him down?' says I. + +"'I'll shoot him in the lower jaw,' says the Britisher, 'so he cawn't +bite the dogs. It 'll give 'em cawnfidence.' + +"He takes aim at Mr. Bear's chin and misses it three times runnin', +he's that excited. + +"'Settle down, H'Anglish,' says I. 'He 'ain't got no double chins. How +many shells left in your gun?'" When he looks he finds there's only one +more, for he hadn't stopped to fill 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 a 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 +profession--comprehensive, unreasoning, deep. + +"Is the old man all the kin you've got?" he questioned, 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 little tads and I haven't seen him since. I +heard about him, indirectly, at Skagway--three years ago--during the +big rush to the Klondike, but he has never been home. When father died, +I went to live with Uncle Arthur--some day, perhaps, I'll find my +brother. He's cruel to hide from me this way, for there are only we two +left and I've loved him always." + +She spoke sadly and her mood blended well with the gloom of her +companion, so they stared silently out over the heaving green waters. + +"It's a good thing me an' the kid had a little piece of money ahead," +Dextry resumed later, reverting to the thought that lay uppermost in +his mind, "'cause we'd be up against it right if we hadn't. The boy +couldn't have amused himself none with these court proceedings, because +they come high. I call 'em luxuries, like brandied peaches an' silk +undershirts. + +"I don't trust these Jim Crow banks no more than I do lawyers, neither. +No, sirree! I bought a iron safe an' hauled it out to the mine. She +weighs eighteen hundred, and we keep our money locked up there. We've +got a feller named Johnson watchin' it now. Steal it? Well, hardly. +They can't bust her open without a stick of 'giant' which would rouse +everybody in five miles, an' they can't lug her off bodily--she's too +heavy. No; it's safer there than any place I know of. There ain't no +abscondin' cashiers an' all that. Tomorrer I'm goin' back to live on +the claim an' watch this receiver man till the thing's settled." + +When the girl arose to go, he accompanied her up through the deep sand +of the lane-like street to the main, muddy thoroughfare of the camp. As +yet, the planked and gravelled pavements, which later threaded the +town, were unknown, and the incessant traffic had worn the road into a +quagmire of chocolate-colored slush, almost axle-deep, with which the +store fronts, show-windows, and awnings were plentifully shot and +spattered from passing teams. Whenever a wagon approached, pedestrians +fled to the shelter of neighboring doorways, watching a chance to dodge +out again. When vehicles passed from the comparative solidity of the +main street out into the morasses that constituted the rest of the +town, they adventured perilously, their horses plunging, snorting, +terrified, amid an atmosphere of profanity. Discouraged animals were +down constantly, and no foot-passenger, even with rubber boots, +ventured off the planks that led from house to house. + +To avoid a splashing team, Dextry pulled his companion close in against +the entrance to the Northern saloon, standing before her protectingly. + +Although it was late in the afternoon the Bronco Kid had just arisen +and was now loafing preparatory to the active duties of his profession. +He was speaking with the proprietor when Dextry and the girl sought +shelter just without the open door, so he caught a fair though fleeting +glimpse of her as she flashed a curious look inside. She had never been +so close to a gambling-hall before, and would have liked to peer in +more carefully had she dared, but her companion moved forward. At the +first look the Bronco Kid had broken off in his speech and stared at +her as though at an apparition. When she had vanished, he spoke to +Reilly: + +"Who's that?" + +Reilly shrugged his shoulders, then without further question the Kid +turned back towards the empty theatre and out of the back door. + +He moved nonchalantly till he was outside, then with the speed of a +colt ran down the narrow planking between the buildings, turned +parallel to the front street, leaped from board to board, splashed +through puddles of water till he reached the next alley. Stamping the +mud from his shoes and pulling down his sombrero, he sauntered out into +the main thoroughfare. + +Dextry and his companion had crossed to the other side and were +approaching, so the gambler gained a fair view of them. He searched +every inch of the girl's face and figure, then, as she made to turn her +eyes in his direction, he slouched away. He followed, however, at a +distance, till he saw the man leave her, then on up to the big hotel he +shadowed her. A half-hour later he was drinking in the Golden Gate +bar-room with an acquaintance who ministered to the mechanical details +behind the hotel counter. + +"Who's the girl I saw come in just now?" he inquired. + +"I guess you mean the Judge's niece." + +Both men spoke in the dead, restrained tones that go with their +callings. + +"What's her name?" + +"Chester, I think. Why? Look good to you, Kid?" + +Although the other neither spoke nor made sign, the bartender construed +his silence as acquiescence and continued, with a conscious glance at +his own reflection while he adjusted his diamond scarf-pin: "Well, she +can have ME! I've got it fixed to meet her." + +"BAH! I guess not," said the Kid, suddenly, with an inflection that +startled the other from his preening. Then, as he went out, the man +mused: + +"Gee! Bronco's got the worst eye in the camp! Makes me creep when he +throws it on me with that muddy look. He acted like he was jealous." + + At noon the next day, as he prepared to go to the claim, Dextry's +partner burst in upon him. Glenister was dishevelled, and his eyes +shone with intense excitement. + +"What d'you think they've done now?" he cried, as greeting. + +"I dunno. What is it?" + +"They've broken open the safe and taken our money." + +"What!" + +The old man in turn was on his feet, the grudge which he had felt +against Glenister in the past few days forgotten in this common +misfortune. + +"Yes, by Heaven, they've swiped our money--our tents, tools, teams, +books, hose, and all of our personal property--everything! They threw +Johnson off and took the whole works. I never heard of such a thing. I +went out to the claim and they wouldn't let me go near the workings. +They've got every mine on Anvil Creek guarded the same way, and they +aren't going to let us come around even when they clean up. They told +me so this morning." + +"But, look here," demanded Dextry, sharply, "the money in that safe +belongs to us. That's money we brought in from the States. The court +'ain't got no right to it. What kind of a damn law is that?" + +"Oh, as to law, they don't pay any attention to it any more," said +Glenister, bitterly. "I made a mistake in not killing the first man +that set foot on the claim. I was a sucker, and now we're up against a +stiff game. The Swedes are in the same fix, too. This last order has +left them groggy." "I don't understand it yet," said Dextry. + +"Why, it's this way. The Judge has issued what he calls an order +enlarging the powers of the receiver, and it authorizes McNamara to +take possession of everything on the claims--tents, tools, stores, and +personal property of all kinds. It was issued last night without notice +to our side, so Wheaton says, and they served it this morning early. I +went out to see McNamara, and when I got there I found him in our +private tent with the safe broken open." + +"'What does this mean?' I said. And then he showed me the new order. + +"'I'm responsible to the court for every penny of this money,' said he, +'and for every tool on the claim. In view of that I can't allow you to +go near the workings.' + +"'Not go near the workings?' said I. 'Do you mean you won't let us see +the clean-ups from our own mine? How do we know we're getting a square +deal if we don't see the gold weighed?' + +"'I'm an officer of the court and under bond,' said he, and the smiling +triumph in his eyes made me crazy. + +"'You're a lying thief,' I said, looking at him square. 'And you're +going too far. You played me for a fool once and made it stick, but it +won't work twice.' + +"He looked injured and aggrieved and called in Voorhees, the marshal. I +can't grasp the thing at all; everybody seems to be against us, the +Judge, the marshal, the prosecuting attorney--everybody. Yet they've +done it all according to law, they claim, and have the soldiers to back +them up." + +"It's just as Mexico Mullins said," Dextry stormed; "there's a deal on +of some kind. I'm goin' up to the hotel an' call on the Judge myself. I +'ain't never seen him nor this McNamara, either. I allus want to look a +man straight in the eyes once, then I know what course to foller in my +dealings." + +"You'll find them both," said Glenister, "for McNamara rode into town +behind me." + +The old prospector proceeded to the Golden Gate Hotel and inquired for +Judge Stillman's room. A boy attempted to take his name, but he seized +him by the scruff of the neck and sat him in his seat, proceeding +unannounced to the suite to which he had been directed. Hearing voices, +he knocked, and then, without awaiting a summons, walked in. + +The room was fitted like an office, with desk, table, type-writer, and +law-books. Other rooms opened from it on both sides. Two men were +talking earnestly--one gray-haired, smooth-shaven, and clerical, the +other tall, picturesque, and masterful. With his first glance the miner +knew that before him were the two he had come to see, and that in +reality he had to deal with but one, the big man who shot at him the +level glances. + +"We are engaged," said the Judge, "very busily engaged, sir. Will you +call again in half an hour?" + +Dextry looked him over carefully from head to foot, then turned his +back on him and regarded the other. Neither he nor McNamara spoke, but +their eyes were busy and each instinctively knew that here was a foe. + +"What do you want?" McNamara inquired, finally. + +"I just dropped in to get acquainted. My name is Dextry--Joe +Dextry--from everywhere west of the Missouri--an' your name is +McNamara, ain't it? This here, I reckon, is your little French +poodle--eh?" indicating Stillman. + +"What do you mean?" said McNamara, while the Judge murmured indignantly. + +"Just what I say. However, that ain't what I want to talk about. I +don't take no stock in such truck as judges an' lawyers an' orders of +court. They ain't intended to be took serious. They're all right for +children 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 look 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 the shoulder, yet in his palm lay a six-shooter. He +had slipped it from his trousers band with the ease of long practice +and absolute surety. Judge Stillman gasped and backed against the desk, +but McNamara idly swung his leg as he sat sidewise 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 lawyer, "you can +wear this court in your vest-pocket like a Waterbury, if you want to, +but if you don't let me alone, I'll uncoil its main-spring. That's all." + +He replaced his weapon and, turning, walked out the door. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +SLUICE ROBBERS + + +"We must have money," said Glenister a few days later. "When McNamara +jumped our safe he put us down and out. There's no use fighting in this +court any longer, for the Judge won't let us work the ground ourselves, +even if we give bond, and he won't grant an appeal. He says his orders +aren't appealable. We ought to send Wheaton out to 'Frisco and have him +take the case to the higher courts. Maybe he can get a writ of +supersedeas." + +"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 for it?" + +"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 ten thousand dollars +to us. It 'll take him a month to make the round trip, so I s'pose he +ought to leave tomorrow on the Roanoke." + +"Yes, but where's the money to do it with? McNamara has ours. My God! +What a mess we're in! What fools we've been, Dex! There's a conspiracy +here. I'm beginning to see it now that it's too late. This man is +looting our country under color of law, and figures on gutting all the +mines before we can throw him off. That's his game. He'll work them as +hard and as long as he can, and Heaven only knows what will become of +the money. He must have big men behind him in order to fix a United +States judge this way. Maybe he has the 'Frisco courts corrupted, too." + +"If he has, I'm goin' to kill him," said Dextry. "I've worked like a +dog all my life, and now that I've struck pay I don't aim to lose it. +If Bill Wheaton can't win out accordin' to law, I'm goin' to proceed +accordin' to justice." + +During the past two days the partners had haunted the court-room where +their lawyer, together with the counsel for the Scandinavians, had +argued and pleaded, trying every possible professional and +unprofessional artifice in search of relief from the arbitrary rulings +of the court, while hourly they had become more strongly suspicious of +some sinister plot--some hidden, powerful understanding back of the +Judge and the entire mechanism of justice. They had fought with the +fury of men who battle for life, and had grown to hate the lines of +Stillman's vacillating face, the bluster of the district-attorney, and +the smirking confidence of the clerks, for it seemed that they all +worked mechanically, like toys, at the dictates of Alec McNamara. At +last, when they had ceased, beaten and exhausted, they were too +confused with technical phrases to grasp anything except the fact that +relief was denied them; that their claims were to be worked by the +receiver; and, as a crowning defeat, they learned that the Judge would +move his court to St. Michael's and hear no cases until he returned, a +month later. + +Meanwhile, McNamara hired every idle man he could lay hand upon, and +ripped the placers open with double shifts. Every day a stream of +yellow dust poured into the bank and was locked in his vaults, while +those mine-owners who attempted to witness the clean-ups were ejected +from their claims. The politician had worked with incredible swiftness +and system, and a fortnight after landing he had made good his boast to +Struve, and was in charge of every good claim in the district, the +owners were ousted, their appeals argued and denied, and the court gone +for thirty days, leaving him a clear field for his operations. He felt +a contempt for most of his victims, who were slow-witted Swedes, +grasping neither the purport nor the magnitude of his operation, and as +to those litigants who were discerning enough to see its enormity, he +trusted to his organization to thwart them. + +The two partners had come to feel that they were beating against a +wall, and had also come squarely to face the proposition that they were +without funds wherewith to continue their battle. It was maddening for +them to think of the daily robbery that they suffered, for the Midas +turned out many ounces of gold at every shift; and more maddening to +realize the receiver's shrewdness in crippling them by his theft of the +gold in their safe. That had been his crowning stroke. + +"We MUST get money quick," said Glenister. "Do you think we can borrow?" + +"Borrow?" sniffed Dextry. "Folks don't lend money in Alaska." + +They relapsed into a moody silence. + +"I met a feller this mornin' that's workin' on the Midas," the old man +resumed. "He came in town fer a pair of gum boots, an' he says they've +run into awful rich ground--so rich that they have to clean up every +morning when the night shift goes off 'cause the riffles clog with +gold." + +"Think of it!" Glenister growled. "If we had even a part of one of +those clean-ups we could send Wheaton outside." + +In the midst of his bitterness a thought struck him. He made as though +to speak, then closed his mouth; but his partner's eyes were on him, +filled with a suppressed but growing fire. Dextry lowered his voice +cautiously: + +"There'll be twenty thousand dollars in them sluices to-night at +midnight." + +Glenister stared back while his pulse pounded at something that lay in +the other's words. + +"It belongs to us," the young man said. "There wouldn't be anything +wrong about it, would there?" + +Dextry sneered. "Wrong! Right! Them is fine an' soundin' titles in a +mess like this. What do they mean? I tell you, at midnight to-night +Alec McNamara will have twenty thousand dollars of our money--" + +"God! What would happen if they caught us?" whispered the younger, +following out his thought. "They'd never let us get off the claim +alive. He couldn't find a better excuse to shoot us down and get rid of +us. If we came up before this Judge for trial, we'd go to Sitka for +twenty years." + +"Sure! But it's our only chance. I'd ruther die on the Midas in a fair +fight than set here bitin' my hangnails. I'm growin' old and I won't +never make another strike. As to bein' caught--them's our chances. I +won't be took alive--I promise you that--and before I go I'll get my +satisfy. Castin' things up, that's about all a man gets in this vale of +tears, jest satisfaction of one kind or another. It'll be a fight in +the open, under the stars, with the clean, wet moss to lie 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-in, 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 valley 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 upward +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 sluices subsided, his men quit work +and climbed the bluff to the mess tent. The dwellings of the Midas, as +has already been explained, sat back from the creek at a distance of a +city block, the workings being thus partially hidden under the brow of +the steep bank. + +It is customary to leave a watchman in the pit during the noon and +midnight hours, not only to see that strangers preserve a neutral +attitude, but also to watch the waste-gates and water supply. The night +man of the Midas had been warned of his responsibility, and, knowing +that much gold lay in his keeping, was disposed to gaze on the +curious-minded with the sourness of suspicion. Therefore, as a man +leading a pack-horse approached out of the gloom of the creek-trail, +his eyes were on him from the moment he appeared. The road wound along +the gravel of the bars and passed in proximity to the flumes. However, +the wayfarer paid no attention to them, and the watchman detected an +explanatory weariness in his slow gait. + +"Some prospector getting in from a trip," he thought. + +The stranger stopped, scratched a match, and, as he undertook to light +his pipe, the observer caught the mahogany shine of a negro's face. The +match sputtered out and then came impatient blasphemy as he searched +for another. + +"Evenin', sah! You-all oblige me with a match?" + +He addressed the watcher on the bank above, and, without waiting a +reply, began to climb upward. + +No smoker on the trail will deny the luxury of a light to the most +humble, so as the negro gained his level the man reached forth to +accommodate him. Without warning, the black man leaped forward with the +ferocity of an animal and struck the other a fearful blow. The watchman +sank with a faint, startled cry, and the African dragged him out of +sight over the brow of the bank, where he rapidly tied him hand and +foot, stuffing a gag into his mouth. At the same moment two other +figures rounded the bend below and approached. They were mounted and +leading a third saddle-horse, as well as other pack-animals. Reaching +the workings, they dismounted. Then began a strange procedure, for one +man clambered upon the sluices and, with a pick, ripped out the +riffles. This was a matter of only a few seconds; then, seizing a +shovel, he transferred the concentrates which lay in the bottom of the +boxes into canvas sacks which his companion held. As each bag was +filled, it was tied and dumped into the cut. They treated but four +boxes in this way, leaving the lower two-thirds of the flume untouched, +for Anvil Creek gold is coarse and the heart of the clean-up lies where +it is thrown in. Gathering the sacks together, they lashed them upon +the pack-animals, then mounted the second string of sluices and began +as before. Throughout it all they worked with feverish haste and in +unbroken silence, every moment flashing quick glances at the figure of +the lookout who stood on the crest above, half dimmed in the shadow of +a willow clump. Judging by their rapidity and sureness, they were +expert miners. + +From the tent came the voices of the night shift at table, and the +faint rattle of dishes, while the canvas walls glowed from the lights +within like great fire-flies hidden in the grass. The foreman, +finishing his meal, appeared at the door of the mess tent, and, pausing +to accustom his eyes to the gloom, peered perfunctorily towards the +creek. The watchman detached himself from the shadow, moving out into +plain sight, and the boss turned back. The two men below were now +working on the sluices which lay close under the bank and were thus +hidden from the tent. + + McNamara's description of Anvil Creek's riches had fired Helen +Chester with the desire to witness a clean-up, so they had ridden out +from town in time for supper at the claim. She had not known whither he +led her, only understanding that provision for her entertainment would +be made with the superintendent's wife. Upon recognizing the Midas, she +had endeavored to question him as to why her friends had been +dispossessed, and he had answered, as it seemed, straight and true. + +The ground was in dispute, he said--another man claimed it--and while +the litigation pended he was in charge for the court, to see that +neither party received injury. He spoke adroitly, and it satisfied her +to have the proposition resolved into such simplicity. + +She had come prepared to spend the night and witness the early morning +operation, so the receiver made the most of his opportunity. He showed +her over the workings, explaining the many things that were strange to +her. Not only was he in himself a fascinating figure to any woman, but +wherever he went men regarded him deferentially, and nothing affects a +woman's judgment more promptly than this obvious sign of power. He +spent the evening with her, talking of his early days and the things he +had done in the West, his story matching the picturesqueness of her +canvas-walled quarters with their rough furnishings of skins and +blankets. Being a keen observer as well as a finished raconteur, he had +woven a spell of words about the girl, leaving her in a state of tumult +and indecision when at last, towards midnight, he retired to his own +tent. She knew to what end all this was working, and yet knew not what +her answer would be when the question came which lay behind it all. At +moments she felt the wonderful attraction of the man, and still there +was some distrust of him which she could not fathom. Again her thoughts +reverted to Glenister, the impetuous, and she compared the two, so +similar in some ways, so utterly opposed in others. + +It was when she heard the night shift at their meal that she threw a +silken shawl about her head, stepped into the cool night, and picked +her way down towards the roar of the creek. "A breath of air and then +to bed," she thought. She saw the tall figure of the watchman and made +for him. He seemed oddly interested in her approach, watching her very +closely, almost as though alarmed. It was doubtless because there were +so few women out here, or possibly on account of the lateness of the +hour. Away with conventions! This was the land of instinct and impulse. +She would talk to him. The man drew his hat more closely about his face +and moved off as she came up. Glenister had been in her thoughts a +moment since, and she now noted that here was another with the same +great, square shoulders and erect head. Then she saw with a start that +this one was a negro. He carried a Winchester and seemed to watch her +carefully, yet with indecision. + +To express her interest and to break the silence, she questioned him, +but at the sound of her voice he stepped towards her and spoke roughly. + +"What!" + +Then he paused, and stammered in a strangely altered and unnatural +voice: + +"Yass'm. I'm the watchman." + +She noted two other darkies at work below and was vaguely surprised, +not so much at their presence, as at the manner in which they moved, +for they seemed under stress of some great haste, running hither and +yon. She saw horses standing in the trail and sensed something +indefinably odd and alarming in the air. Turning to the man, she opened +her mouth to speak, when from the rank grass under her feet came a +noise which set her a-tingle, and at which her suspicions leaped full +to the solution. It was the groan of a man. Again he gave voice to his +pain, and she knew that she stood face to face with something sinister. +Tales of sluice robbers had come to her, and rumors of the daring raids +into which men were lured by the yellow sheen--and yet this was +incredible. A hundred men lay within sound of her voice; she could hear +their laughter; one was whistling a popular refrain. A quarter-mile +away on every hand were other camps; a scream from her would bring them +all. Nonsense, this was no sluice robbery--and then the man in the +bushes below moaned for the third time. + +"What is that?" she said. + +Without reply the negro lowered the muzzle of his rifle till it covered +her breast and at the same time she heard the double click of the +hammer. + +"Keep still and don't move," he warned. "We're desperate and we can't +take any chances, Miss." + +"Oh, you are stealing the gold--" + +She was wildly frightened, yet stood still while the lookout anxiously +divided his attention between her and the tents above until his +companions signalled him that they were through and the horses were +loaded. Then he spoke: + +"I don't know what to do with you, but I guess I'll tie you up." + +"What!" she said. + +"I'm going to tie and gag you so you can't holler." + +"Oh, don't you DARE!" she cried, fiercely. "I'll stand right here till +you've gone and I won't scream. I promise." She looked up at him +appealingly, at which he dipped his head, so that she caught only a +glimpse of his face, and then backed away. + +"All right! Don't try it, because I'll be hidden in those bushes yonder +at the bend and I'll keep you covered till the others are gone." He +leaped down the bank, ran to the cavalcade, mounted quickly, and the +three lashed their horses into a run, disappearing up the trail around +the sharp curve. She heard the blows of their quirts as they whipped +the pack-horses. + +They were long out of sight before the girl moved or made sound, +although she knew that none of the three had paused at the bend. She +only stood and gazed, for as they galloped off she had heard the scrap +of a broken sentence. It was but one excited word, sounding through the +rattle of hoofs--her own name--"Helen"; and yet because of it she did +not voice the alarm, but rather began to piece together, bit by bit, +the strange points of this adventure. She recalled the outlines of her +captor with a wrinkle of perplexity. Her fright disappeared entirely, +giving place to intense excitement. "No, no--it can't be--and yet I +wonder if it IS!" she cried. "Oh, I wonder if it could be!" She opened +her lips to cry aloud, then hesitated. She started towards the tents, +then paused, and for many moments after the hoof-beats had died out she +stayed undecided. Surely she wished to give the signal, to force the +fierce pursuit. What meant this robbery, this defiance of the law, of +her uncle's edicts and of McNamara? They were common thieves, +criminals, outlaws, these men, deserving punishment, and yet she +recalled a darker night, when she herself had sobbed and quivered with +the terrors of pursuit and two men had shielded her with their bodies. + +She turned and sped towards the tents, bursting in through the canvas +door; instantly every man rose to his feet at sight of her pallid face, +her flashing eyes, and rumpled hair. + +"Sluice robbers!" she cried, breathlessly. "Quick! A hold-up! The +watchman is hurt!" + +A roar shook the night air, and the men poured out past her, while the +day shift came tumbling forth from every quarter in various stages of +undress. + +"Where? Who did it? Where did they go?" + +McNamara appeared among them, fierce and commanding, seeming to grasp +the situation intuitively, without explanation from her. + +"Come on, men. We'll run 'em down. Get out the horses. Quick!" + +He was mounted even as he spoke, and others joined him. Then turning, +he waved his long arm up the valley towards the mountains. "Divide into +squads of five and cover the hills! Run down to Discovery, one of you, +and telephone to town for Voorhees and a posse." + +As they made ready to ride away, the girl cried: + +"Stop! Not that way. They went DOWN the gulch--three negroes." + +She pointed out of the valley, towards the dim glow on the southern +horizon, and the cavalcade rode away into the gloom. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE WIT OF AN ADVENTURESS + + +Up creek the three negroes fled, past other camps, to where the stream +branched. Here they took to the right and urged their horses along a +forsaken trail to the head-waters of the little tributary and over the +low saddle. They had endeavored to reach unfrequented paths as soon as +possible in order that they might pass unnoticed. Before quitting the +valley they halted their heaving horses, and, selecting a stagnant +pool, scoured the grease paint from their features as best they could. +Their ears were strained for sounds of pursuit, but, as the moments +passed and none came, the tension eased somewhat and they conversed +guardedly. As the morning light spread they crossed the moss-capped +summit of the range, but paused again, and, removing two saddles, hid +them among the rocks. Slapjack left the others here and rode southward +down the Dry Creek Trail towards town, while the partners shifted part +of the weight from the overloaded pack-mules to the remaining +saddle-animals and continued eastward along the barren comb of hills on +foot, leading the five horses. + +"It don't seem like we'll get away this easy," said Dextry, scanning +the back trail. "If we do, I'll be tempted to foller the business +reg'lar. This grease paint on my face makes me smell like a minstrel +man. I bet we'll get some bully press notices to-morrow." + +"I wonder what Helen was doing there," Glenister answered, +irrelevantly, for he had been more shaken by his encounter with her +than at his part in the rest or the enterprise, and his mind, which +should have been busied with the flight, held nothing but pictures of +her as she stood in the half darkness under the fear of his Winchester. +"What if she ever learned who that black ruffian was!" He quailed at +the thought. + +"Say, Dex, I am going to marry that girl." + +"I dunno if you be or not," said Dextry. "Better watch McNamara." + +"What!" The younger man stopped and stared. "What do you mean?" + +"Go on. Don't stop the horses. I ain't blind. I kin 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 about." He moved his hands eloquently. "You can't understand." + +"Um-m! I s'pose not," grunted Dextry, but his eyes were level and held +the light of the past. + +"He may be a rascal," the old man continued, after a little; "I'll put +in with you on that; but he's a handsome devil, and, as for manners, he +makes you look like a logger. He's a brave man, too. Them three +qualities are trump-cards and warranted to take most any queen in 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. + +In the gray of the early morning they descended the foot-hills into the +wide valley of the Nome River and filed out across the rolling country +to the river bluffs where, cleverly concealed among the willows, was a +rocker. This they set up, then proceeded to wash the dirt from the +sacks carefully, yet with the utmost speed, for there was serious +danger of discovery. It was wonderful, this treasure of the richest +ground since the days of '49, and the men worked with shining eyes and +hands a-tremble. The gold was coarse, and many ragged, yellow lumps, +too large to pass through the screen, rolled in the hopper, while the +aprons bellied with its weight. In the pans which they had provided +there grew a gleaming heap of wet, raw gold. + +Shortly, by divergent routes, the partners rode unnoticed into town, +and into the excitement of the hold-up news, while the tardy still +lingered over their breakfasts. Far out in the roadstead lay the +Roanoke, black smoke pouring from her stack. A tug was returning from +its last trip to her. + +Glenister forced his lathered horse down to the beach and questioned +the longshoremen who hung about. + +"No; it's too late to get aboard--the last tender is on its way back," +they informed him. "If you want to go to the 'outside' you'll have to +wait for the fleet. That only means another week, and--there she blows +now." + +A ribbon of white mingled with the velvet from the steamer's funnel and +there came a slow, throbbing, farewell blast. + +Glenister's jaw clicked and squared. + +"Quick! You men!" he cried to the sailors. "I want the lightest dory on +the beach and the strongest oarsmen in the crowd. I'll be back in five +minutes. There's a hundred dollars in it for you if we catch that ship." + +He whirled and spurred up through the mud of the streets. Bill Wheaton +was snoring luxuriously when wrenched from his bed by a dishevelled man +who shook him into wakefulness and into a portion of his clothes, with +a storm of excited instructions. The lawyer had neither time nor +opportunity for expostulation, for Glenister snatched a valise and +swept into it a litter of documents from the table. + +"Hurry up, man," he yelled, as the lawyer dived frantically about his +office in a rabbit-like hunt for items. "My Heavens! Are you dead? Wake +up! The ship's leaving." With sleep still in his eyes Wheaton was +dragged down the street to the beach, where a knot had assembled to +witness the race. As they tumbled 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 bending 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 off." + +Glenister stripped off his coat and, facing the bow, pushed 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 miles that lay +towards the ship. He urged the men with all 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 uttered a cry and Glenister desisted from his work with a +curse. The Roanoke was moving slowly. + +The rowers rested, but the young man shouted at them to begin again, +and, seizing a boat-hook, stuck it into the arms of his coat. He waved +this on high while the men redoubled their efforts. For many moments +they hung in suspense, watching the black hull as it gathered speed, +and then, as they were about to cease their effort, a puff of steam +burst from its whistle and the next moment a short toot of recognition +reached them. Glenister wiped the moisture from his brow and grinned at +Wheaton. + +A quarter of an hour later, as they lay heaving below the ship's steel +sides, he thrust a heavy buckskin sack into the lawyer's hand. + +"There's money to win the fight, Bill. I don't know how much, but it's +enough. God bless you. Hurry back!" + +A sailor cast them a whirling rope, up which Wheaton clambered; then, +tying the gripsack to its end, they sent it after. + +"Important!" the young man yelled at the officer on the bridge. +"Government business." He heard a muffled clang in the engine-room, the +thrash of the propellers followed, and the big ship glided past. + +As Glenister dragged himself up the beach, upon landing, Helen Chester +called to him, and made room for him beside her. It had never been +necessary to call him to her side before; and equally unfamiliar was +the abashment, or perhaps physical weariness, that led the young man to +sink back in the warm sand with a sigh of relief. She noted that, for +the first time, the audacity was gone from his eyes. + +"I watched your race," she began. "It was very exciting and I cheered +for you." + +He smiled quietly. + +"What made you keep 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 because 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 +overwhelmed her with the boldness of his suit. For Glenister 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?" she asked. + +"No; I've been too busy to inquire. I was told the health officers +quarantined her when she arrived, that's all." + +"She was sent to Egg Island with every one aboard. She has been there +more than a month now and may not get away this summer." + +"What a disappointment for the poor devils on her!" + +"Yes, and only for what you did, I should be one of them," Helen +remarked. + +"I didn't do much," he said. "The fighting part is easy. It's not half +so hard as to give up your property and lie still while--" + +"Did you do that because I asked you to--because I asked you to put +aside the old ways?" A wave of compassion swept over her. + +"Certainly," he answered. "It didn't come easy, but--" + +"Oh, I thank you," said she. "I know it is all for the best. Uncle +Arthur wouldn't do anything wrong, and Mr. McNamara is an honorable +man." + +He turned towards her to speak, but refrained. He could not tell her +what he felt certain of. She believed in her own blood and in her +uncle's friends--and it was not for him to speak of McNamara. The rules +of the game sealed his lips. + +She was thinking again, "If only you had not acted as you did." She +longed to help him now in his trouble as he had helped her, but what +could she do? The law was such a confusing, intricate, perplexing thing. + +"I spent last night at the Midas," she told him, "and rode back early +this morning. That was a daring hold-up, wasn't it?" + +"What hold-up?" + +"Why, haven't you heard the news?" + +"No" he answered, steadily. "I just got up." + +"Your claim was robbed. Three men overcame the watchman at midnight and +cleaned the boxes." + +His simulation of excited astonishment was perfect and he rained a +shower of questions upon her. She noted with approval that he did not +look her in the eye, however. He was not an accomplished liar. Now +McNamara had a countenance of iron. Unconsciously she made comparison, +and the young man at her side did not lose thereby. + +"Yes, I saw it all," she concluded, after recounting the details. "The +negro wanted to bind me so that I couldn't give the alarm, but his +chivalry prevented. He was a most gallant darky." + +"What did you do when they left?" + +"Why, I kept my word and waited until they were out of sight, then I +roused the camp, and set Mr. McNamara and his men right after them down +the gulch." + +"DOWN the gulch!" spoke Glenister, off his guard. + +"Yes, of course. Did you think they went UP-stream?" She was looking +squarely at him now, and he dropped his eyes. "No, the posse started in +that direction, but I put them right." There was an odd light in her +glance, and he felt the blood drumming in his ears. + +She sent them down-stream! So that was why there had been no pursuit! +Then she must suspect--she must know everything! Glenister was stunned. +Again his love for the girl surged tumultuously within him and demanded +expression. But Miss Chester, no longer feeling sure that she had the +situation in hand, had already started to return to the hotel. "I saw +the men distinctly," she told him, before they separated, "and I could +identify them all." + +At his own house Glenister found Dextry removing the stains of the +night's adventure. + +"Miss Chester recognized us last night," he announced. + +"How do you know?" + +"She told me so just now, and, what's more, she sent McNamara and his +crowd down the creek instead of up. That's why we got away so easily." + +"Well, well--ain't she a brick? She's even with us now. By-the-way, I +wonder how much we cleaned up, anyhow--let's weigh it." Going to the +bed, Dextry turned back the blankets, exposing four moose-skin sacks, +wet and heavy, where he had thrown them. + +"There must have been twenty thousand dollars with what I gave +Wheaton," said Glenister. + +At that moment, without warning, the door was flung open, and as the +young man jerked the blankets into place he whirled, snatched the +six-shooter that Dextry had discarded, and covered the entrance. + +"Don't shoot, boy!" cried the new-comer, breathlessly. "My, but you're +nervous!" + +Glenister dropped his gun. It was Cherry Malotte; and, from her heaving +breast and the flying colors in her cheeks, the men saw she had been +running. She did not give them time to question, but closed and locked +the door while the words came tumbling from her: + +"They're on to you, boys--you'd better duck out quick. They're on their +way up here now." + +"What!" + +"Who?" + +"Quick! I heard McNamara and Voorhees, the marshal, talking. Somebody +has spotted you for the hold-ups. They're on their way now, I tell you. +I sneaked out by the back way and came here through the mud. Say, but +I'm a sight!" She stamped her trimly booted feet and flirted her skirt. + +"I don't savvy what you mean," said Dextry, glancing at his partner +warningly. "We ain't done nothin'." + +"Well, it's all right then. I took a long chance so you could make a +get-away if you wanted to, because they've got warrants for you for +that sluice robbery last night. Here they are now." She darted to the +window, the men peering over her shoulder. Coming up the narrow walk +they saw Voorhees, McNamara, and three others. + +The house stood somewhat isolated and well back on the tundra, so that +any one approaching it by the planking had an unobstructed view of the +premises. Escape was impossible, for the back door led out into the +ankle-deep puddles of the open prairie; and it was now apparent that a +sixth man had made a circuit and was approaching from the rear. + +"My God! They'll search the place," said Dextry, and the men looked +grimly in each other's faces. + +Then in a flash Glenister stripped back the blankets and seized the +"pokes," leaping into the back room. In another instant he returned +with them and faced desperately the candid bareness of the little room +that they lived and slept in. Nothing could be hidden; it was folly to +think of it. There was a loft overhead, he remembered, hopefully, then +realized that the pursuers would search there first of all. + +"I told you he was a hard fighter," said Dextry, as the quick footsteps +grew louder. "He ain't no fool neither. 'Stead of our bein' caught in +the mountains, I reckon we'll shoot it out here. We should have cached +that gold somewhere." + +He spun the cylinder of his blackened Colt, while his face grew hard +and vulture-like. + +Meanwhile, Cherry Malotte watched the hunted look in Glenister's face +grow wilder and then stiffen into the stubbornness of a man at bay. The +posse was at the door now, knocking. The three inside stood rigid and +strained. Then Glenister tossed his burden on the bed. + +"Go into the back room, Cherry; there's going to be trouble." + +"Who's there?" inquired Dextry through the door, to gain time. +Suddenly, without a word, the girl glided to the hot-blast heater, now +cold and empty, which stood in a corner of the room. These stoves, used +widely in the North, are vertical iron cylinders into which coal is +poured from above. She lifted the lid and peered in to find it a +quarter full of dead ashes, then turned with shining eyes and parted +lips to Glenister. He caught the hint, and in an instant the four sacks +were dropped softly into the feathery bottom and the ashes raked over. +The daring manoeuvre was almost as quick as the flash of woman's wit +that prompted it, and was carried through while the answer to Dextry's +question was still unspoken. + +Then Glenister opened the door carelessly and admitted the group of men. + +"We've got a search-warrant to look through your house," said Voorhees. + +"What are you looking for?" + +"Gold-dust from Anvil Creek." + +"All right--search away." + +They rapidly scoured the premises, covering every inch, paying no heed +to the girl, who watched them with indifferent eyes, nor to the old +man, who glared at their every movement. Glenister was carelessly +sarcastic, although he kept his right arm free, while beneath his +sang-froid was a thoroughly trained alertness. + +McNamara directed the search with a manner wholly lacking in his former +mock courtesy. It was as though he had been soured by the gall of +defeat. The mask had fallen off now, and his character +showed--insistent, overbearing, cruel. Towards the partners he +preserved a contemptuous silence. + +The invaders ransacked thoroughly, while a dozen times the hearts of +Cherry Malotte and her two companions stopped, then lunged onward, as +McNamara or Voorhees approached, then passed the stove. At last +Voorhees lifted the lid and peered into its dark interior. At the same +instant the girl cried out, sharply, flinging herself from her +position, while the marshal jerked his head back in time to see her +dash upon Dextry. + +"Don't! Don't!" She cried her appeal to the old man. "Keep cool. You'll +be sorry, Dex--they're almost through." + +The officer had not seen any movement on Dextry's part, but doubtless +her quick eye had detected signs of violence. McNamara emerged, +glowering, from the back room at that moment. + +"Let them hunt," the girl was saying, while Dextry stared dazedly over +her head. "They won't find anything. Keep cool and don't act rash." + +Voorhees's duties sat uncomfortably upon him at the best, and, looking +at the smouldering eyes of the two men, he became averse to further +search in a powdery household whose members itched to shoot him in the +back. + +"It isn't here," he reported; but the politician only scowled, then +spoke for the first time directly to the partners: + +"I've got warrants for both of you and I'm tempted to take you in, but +I won't. I'm not through yet--not by any means. I'll get you--get you +both." He turned out of the door, followed by the marshal, who called +off his guards, and the group filed back along the walk. + +"Say, you're a jewel, Cherry. You've saved us twice. You caught +Voorhees just in time. My heart hit my palate when he looked into that +stove, but the next instant I wanted to laugh at Dextry's expression." + +Impulsively Glenister laid his hands upon her shoulders. At his look +and touch her throat swelled, her bosom heaved, and the silken lids +fluttered until she seemed choked by a very flood of sweet womanliness. +She blushed like a little maid and laughed a timid, broken laugh; then +pulling herself together, the merry, careless tone came into her voice +and her cheeks grew cool and clear. + +"You wouldn't trust me at first, eh? Some day you'll find that your old +friends are the best, after all." + +And as she left them she added, mockingly: + +"Say, you're a pair of 'shine' desperadoes. You need a governess." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +WHEREIN A WRIT AND A RIOT FAIL + + +A Raw, gray day with a driving drizzle from seaward and a leaden rack +of clouds drifting low matched the sullen, fitful mood of Glenister. + +During the last month he had chafed and fretted like an animal in leash +for word of Wheaton. This uncertainty, this impotent waiting with +folded hands, was maddening to one of his spirit. He could apply +himself to no fixed duty, for the sense of his wrong preyed on him +fiercely, and he found himself haunting the vicinity of the Midas, +gazing at it from afar, grasping hungrily for such scraps of news as +chanced to reach him. McNamara allowed access to none but his minions, +so the partners knew but vaguely of what happened on their property, +even though, under fiction of law, it was being worked for their +protection. + +No steps regarding a speedy hearing of the case were allowed, and the +collusion between Judge Stillman and the receiver had become so +generally recognized that there were uneasy mutterings and threats in +many quarters. Yet, although the politician had by now virtually +absorbed all the richest properties in the district and worked them +through his hirelings, the people of Nome as a whole did not grasp the +full turpitude of the scheme nor the system's perfect working. + +Strange to say, Dextry, the fire-eater, had assumed an Oriental +patience quite foreign to his peppery disposition, and spent much of +his time in the hills prospecting. + +On this day, as the clouds broke, about noon, close down on the angry +horizon a drift of smoke appeared, shortly resolving itself into a +steamer. She lay to in the offing, and through his glasses Glenister +saw that it was the Roanoke. As the hours passed and no boat put off, +he tried to hire a crew, but the longshoremen spat wisely and shook +their heads as they watched the surf. + +"There's the devil of an undertow settin' along this beach," they told +him, "and the water's too cold to drownd in comfortable." So he laid +firm hands upon his impatience. + +Every day meant many dollars to the watcher, and yet it seemed that +nature was resolute in thwarting him, for that night the wind freshened +and daylight saw the ship hugging the lee of Sledge Island, miles to +the westward, while the surf, white as boiling milk, boomed and +thundered against the shore. + +Word had gone through the street that Bill Wheaton was aboard with a +writ, or a subpoena, or an alibi, or whatever was necessary to put the +"kibosh" on McNamara, so public excitement grew. McNamara hoarded his +gold in the Alaska Bank, and it was taken for granted that there would +lie the scene of the struggle. No one supposed for an instant that the +usurper would part with the treasure peaceably. + +On the third morning the ship lay abreast of the town again and a +life-boat was seen to make off from her, whereupon the idle population +streamed towards the beach. + +"She'll make it to the surf all right, but then watch out." + +"We'd better make ready to haul 'em out," said another. "It's mighty +dangerous." And sure enough, as the skiff came rushing in through the +breakers she was caught. + +She had made it past the first line, soaring over the bar on a foamy +roller-crest like a storm-driven gull winging in towards the land. The +wiry figure of Bill Wheaton crouched in the stern while two sailors +fought with their oars. As they gathered for their rush through the +last zone of froth, a great comber rose out of the sea behind them, +rearing high above their heads. The crowd at the surf's edge shouted. +The boat wavered, sucked back into the ocean's angry maw, and with a +crash the deluge engulfed them. There remained nothing but a swirling +flood through which the life-boat emerged bottom up, amid a tangle of +oars, gratings, and gear. + +Men rushed into the water, and the next roller pounded them back upon +the marble-hard sand. There came the sound of splitting wood, and then +a group swarmed in waist-deep and bore out a dripping figure. It was a +hempen-headed seaman, who shook the water from his mane and grinned +when his breath had come. + +A step farther down the beach the by-standers seized a limp form which +the tide rolled to them. It was the second sailor, his scalp split from +a blow of the gunwale. Nowhere was Wheaton. + +Glenister had plunged to the rescue first, a heaving-line about his +middle, and although buffeted about he had reached the wreck, only to +miss sight of the lawyer utterly. He had time for but a glance when he +was drawn outward by the undertow till the line at his waist grew taut, +then the water surged over him and he was hurled high up on the beach +again. He staggered dizzily back to the struggle, when suddenly a wave +lifted the capsized cutter and righted it, and out from beneath shot +the form of Wheaton, grimly clutching the life-ropes. They brought him +in choking and breathless. + +"I got it," he said, slapping his streaming breast. "It's all right, +Glenister, I knew what delay meant so I took a long chance with the +surf." The terrific ordeal he had undergone had blanched him to the +lips, his legs wabbled uncertainly, and he would have fallen but for +the young man, who thrust an arm about his waist and led him up into +the town. + +"I went before the Circuit Court of Appeals in 'Frisco," he explained +later, "and they issued orders allowing an appeal from this court and +gave me a writ of supersedeas directed against old Judge Stillman. That +takes the litigation out of his hands altogether, and directs McNamara +to turn over the Midas and all the gold he's got. What do you think of +that? I did better than I expected." + +Glenister wrung his hand silently while a great satisfaction came upon +him. At last this waiting was over and his peaceful yielding to +injustice had borne fruit; had proven the better course after all, as +the girl had prophesied. He could go to her now with clean hands. The +mine was his again. He would lay it at her feet, telling her once more +of his love and the change it was working in him. He would make her see +it, make her see that beneath the harshness his years in the wild had +given him, his love for her was gentle and true and all absorbing. He +would bid her be patient till she saw he had mastered himself, till 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 court-house, the two men +continued to McNamara's office. He met them with courtesy. + +"I heard you had a narrow escape this morning, Mr. Wheaton. Too bad! +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 the 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--" + +"I won't do it, I said," McNamara repeated, sharply. "Don't think for a +minute that I haven't gone into this fight armed for everything. Writs +of supersedeas! Bah!" He snapped his fingers. + +"We'll see whether you'll obey or not," said Wheaton and when he and +Glenister were outside he continued: + +"Let's get to the Judge quick." + +As they neared the Golden Gate Hotel they spied McNamara entering. It +was evident that he had slipped from the rear door of his office and +beaten them to the judicial ear. + +"I don't like that," said Glenister. "He's up to something." + +So it appeared, for they were fifteen minutes in gaining access to the +magistrate and then found McNamara with him. Both men were astounded at +the change in Stillman's appearance. During the last month his weak +face had shrunk and altered until vacillation was betrayed in every +line, and he had acquired the habit of furtively watching McNamara's +slightest movement. It seemed that the part he played sat heavily upon +him. + +The Judge examined the papers perfunctorily, and, although his air was +deliberate, his fingers made clumsy work of it. At last he said: + +"I regret that I am forced to doubt the authenticity of these +documents." + +"My Heavens, man!" Wheaton cried. "They're certified copies of orders +from your superior court. They grant the appeal that you have denied us +and take the case out of your hands altogether. Yes--and they order +this man to surrender the mine and everything connected with it. Now, +sir, we want you to enforce these orders." + +Stillman glanced at the silent man in the window and replied: + +"You will, of course, proceed regularly and make application in court +in the proper way, but I tell you now that I won't do anything in the +matter." + +Wheaton stared at him fixedly until the old man 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 right now?" said +Wheaton. "I must think. This is the boldest game I ever played in. They +told me things while I was in '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." + +"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 takes ours, he'll take +the Swedes', too. Simms, you run up to the Pioneer Company and tell +them about it. If he gets that gold out of there, nobody knows what'll +become of it. Come on, Bill." + +He snatched his hat and ran out of the room, followed by the others. +That the loose-jointed Slapjack did his work with expedition was +evidenced by the fact that the Swedes were close upon their heels as +the two entered the bank. Others had followed, sensing something +unusual, and the space within the doors filled rapidly. At the +disturbance the clerks suspended their work, the barred doors of the +safe-deposit vault clanged to, and the cashier laid hand upon the navy +Colt's at his elbow. "What's the matter?" he cried. + +"We want Alec McNamara," said Glenister. + +The manager of the bank appeared, and Glenister spoke to him through +the heavy wire netting. + +"Is McNamara in there?" + +No one had ever known Morehouse to lie. "Yes, sir." He spoke +hesitatingly, in a voice full of the slow music of Virginia. "He is in +here. What of it?" + +"We hear he's trying to move that dust of ours and we won't stand for +it. Tell him to come out and not hide in there like a dog." + +At these words the politician appeared beside the Southerner, and the +two conversed softly an instant, while the impatience of the crowd grew +to anger. Some one cried: + +"Let's go in and drag him out," and the rumble at this was not +pleasant. Morehouse raised his hand. + +"Gentlemen, Mr. McNamara says he doesn't intend to take any of the gold +away." + +"Then he's taken it already." + +"No, he hasn't." + +The receiver's course had been quickly chosen at the interruption. It +was not wise to anger these men too much. Although he had planned to +get the money into his own possession, he now thought it best to leave +it here for the present. He could come back at any time when they were +off guard and get it. Beyond the door against which he stood lay three +hundred thousand dollars--weighed, sacked, sealed, and ready to move +out of the custody of this Virginian whose confidence he had tried so +fruitlessly to gain. + +As McNamara looked into the angry eyes of the lean-faced men beyond the +grating, he felt that the game was growing close, and his blood tingled +at the thought. He had not planned on a resistance so strong and swift, +but he would meet it. He knew that they hungered for his destruction +and that Glenister was their leader. He saw further that the man's +hatred now stared at him openly for the first time. He knew that back +of it was something more than love for the dull metal over which they +wrangled, and then a thought came to him. + +"Some of your work, eh, Glenister?" he mocked. "Were you afraid to come +alone, or did you wait till you saw me with a lady?" + +At the same instant he opened a door behind him, revealing Helen +Chester. "You'd better not walk out with me, Miss Chester. This man +might--well, you're safer here, you know. You'll pardon me for leaving +you." He hoped he could incite the young man to some rash act or word +in the presence of the girl, and counted on the conspicuous heroism of +his own position, facing the mob single-handed, one against fifty. + +"Come out," said his enemy, hoarsely, upon whom the insult and the +sight of the girl in the receiver's company had acted powerfully. + +"Of course I'll come out, but I don't want this young lady to suffer +any violence from your friends," said McNamara. "I am not armed, but I +have the right to leave here unmolested--the right of an American +citizen." With that he raised his arms above his head. "Out of my way!" +he cried. Morehouse opened the gate, and McNamara strode through the +mob. + +It is a peculiar thing that although under fury of passion a man may +fire even upon the back of a defenceless foe, yet no one can offer +violence to a man whose arms are raised on high and in whose glance is +the level light of fearlessness. Moreover, it is safer to face a crowd +thus than a single adversary. + +McNamara had seen this psychological trick tried before and now took +advantage of it to walk through the press slowly, eye to eye. He did it +theatrically, for the benefit of the girl, and, as he foresaw, the men +fell away before him--all but Glenister, who blocked him, gun in hand. +It was plain that the persecuted miner was beside himself with passion. +McNamara came within an arm's-length before pausing. Then he stopped +and the two stared malignantly at each other, while the girl behind the +railing heard her heart pounding in the stillness. Glenister raised his +hand uncertainly, then let it fall. He shook his head, and stepped +aside so that the other brushed past and out into the street. + +Wheaton addressed the banker: + +"Mr. Morehouse, we've got orders and writs of one kind or another from +the Circuit Court of Appeals at 'Frisco directing that this money be +turned over to us." He shoved the papers towards the other. "We're not +in a mood to trifle. That gold belongs to us, and we want it." + +Morehouse looked carefully at the papers. + +"I can't help you," he said. "These documents are not directed to me. +They're issued to Mr. McNamara and Judge Stillman. If the Circuit Court +of Appeals commands me to deliver it to you I'll do it, but otherwise +I'll have to keep this dust here till it's drawn out by order of the +court that gave it to me. That's the way it was put in here, and that's +the way it'll be taken out." + +"We want it now." + +"Well, I can't let my sympathies influence me" + +"Then we'll take it out, anyway," cried Glenister. "We've had the worst +of it everywhere else and we're sick of it. Come on, men." + +"Stand back!--all of you!" cried Morehouse. "Don't lay a hand on that +gate. Boys, pick your men." + +He called this last to his clerks, at the same instant whipping from +behind the counter a carbine, which he cocked. The assayer brought into +view a shot-gun, while the cashier and clerks armed themselves. It was +evident that the deposits of the Alaska Bank were abundantly +safeguarded. + +"I don't aim to have any trouble with you-all," continued the +Southerner, "but that money stays here till it's drawn out right." + +The crowd paused at this show of resistance, but Glenister railed at +them: + +"Come on--come on! What's the matter with you?" And from the light in +his eye it was evident that he would not be balked. + +Helen felt that a crisis was come, and braced herself. These men were +in deadly earnest: the white-haired banker, his pale helpers, and those +grim, quiet ones outside. There stood brawny, sun-browned men, with set +jaws and frowning faces, and yellow-haired Scandinavians in whose blue +eyes danced the flame of battle. These had been baffled at every turn, +goaded by repeated failure, and now stood shoulder to shoulder in their +resistance to a cruel law. Suddenly Helen heard a command from the +street and the quick tramp of men, while over the heads before her she +saw the glint of rifle barrels. A file of soldiers with fixed bayonets +thrust themselves roughly through the crowd at the entrance. + +"Clear the room!" commanded the officer. + +"What does this mean?" shouted Wheaton. + +"It means that Judge Stillman has called upon the military to guard +this gold, that's all. Come, now, move quick." The men hesitated, then +sullenly obeyed, for resistance to the blue of Uncle Sam comes only at +the cost of much consideration. + +"They're robbing us with our own soldiers," said Wheaton, when they +were outside. + +"Ay," said Glenister, darkly. "We've tried the law, but they're forcing +us back to first principles. There's going to be murder here." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +COUNTERPLOTS + + +Glenister had said that the Judge would not dare to disobey the +mandates of the Circuit Court of Appeals, but he was wrong. Application +was made for orders directing the enforcement of the writs--steps which +would have restored possession of the Midas to its owners, as well as +possession of the treasure in bank--but Stillman refused to grant them. + +Wheaton called a meeting of the Swedes and their attorneys, advising a +junction of forces. Dextry, who had returned from the mountains, was +present. When they had finished their discussion, he said: + +"It seems like I can always fight better when I know what the other +feller's game is. I'm going to spy on that outfit." + +"We've had detectives at work for weeks," said the lawyer for the +Scandinavians; "but they can't find out anything we don't know already." + +Dextry said no more, but that night found him busied in the building +adjoining the one wherein McNamara had his office. He had rented a back +room on the top floor, and with the help of his partner sawed through +the ceiling into the loft and found his way thence to the roof through +a hatchway. Fortunately, there was but little space between the two +buildings, and, furthermore, each boasted the square fronts common in +mining-camps, which projected high enough to prevent observation from +across the way. Thus he was enabled, without discovery, to gain the +roof adjoining and to cut through into the loft. He crept cautiously in +through the opening, and out upon a floor of joists sealed on the lower +side, then lit a candle, and, locating McNamara's office, cut a +peep-hole so that by lying flat on the timbers he could command a +considerable portion of the room beneath. Here, early the following +morning, he camped with the patience of an Indian, emerging in the +still of that night stiff, hungry, and atrociously cross. Meanwhile, +there had been another meeting of the mine-owners, and it had been +decided to send Wheaton, properly armed with affidavits and transcripts +of certain court records, back to San Francisco on the return trip of +the Santa Maria, which had arrived in port. He was to institute +proceedings for contempt of court, and it was hoped that by +extraordinary effort he could gain quick action. + +At daybreak Dextry returned to his post, and it was midnight before he +crawled from his hiding-place to see the lawyer and Glenister. + +"They have had a spy on you all day, Wheaton," he began, "and they know +you're going out to the States. You'll be arrested to-morrow morning +before breakfast." + +"Arrested! What for?" + +"I don't just remember what the crime is--bigamy, or mayhem, or +attainder of treason, or something--anyway, they'll get you in jail and +that's all they want. They think you're the only lawyer that's wise +enough to cause trouble and the only one they can't bribe." + +"Lord! What 'll I do? They'll watch every lighter that leaves the +beach, and if they don't catch me that way, they'll search the ship." + +"I've thought it all out," said the old man, to whom obstruction acted +as a stimulant. + +"Yes--but how?" + +"Leave it to me. Get your things together and be ready to duck in two +hours." + +"I tell you they'll search the Santa Maria from stem to stern," +protested the lawyer, but Dextry had gone. + +"Better do as he says. His schemes are good ones," recommended +Glenister, and accordingly the lawyer made preparation. + +In the mean time the old prospector had begun at the end of Front +Street to make a systematic search of the gambling-houses. Although it +was very late they were running noisily, and at last he found the man +he wanted playing "Black Jack," the smell of tar in his clothes, the +lilt of the sea in his boisterous laughter. Dextry drew him aside. + +"Mac, there's only two things about you that's any good--your silence +and your seamanship. Otherwise, you're a disreppitable, drunken insect." + +The sailor grinned. + +"What is it you want now? If it's concerning money, or business, or the +growed-up side of life, run along and don't disturb the carousals of a +sailorman. If it's a fight, lemme get my hat." + +"I want you to wake up your fireman and have steam on the tug in an +hour, then wait for me below the bridge. You're chartered for +twenty-four hours, and--remember, not a word." + +"I'm on! 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 trip out to your +ship in the dark." + +"What's the matter?" + +Dextry drew him to an isolated corner. "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 corner an' over the +ropes." + +"I'm sorry I can't help you, Dextry, but I got mixed up in one of 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, beginning to lose his temper. +"Well, you listen to me for a minute. Everybody in camp knows that me +an' the kid is on the square an' that we're gettin' the hunk passed to +us. Now, this lawyer party must get away to-night or these grafters +will hitch the horses to him on some phony charge so he can't get to +the upper court. It 'll be him to the bird-cage for ninety days. He's +goin' to the States, though, an' he's goin'--in--your--wagon! I'm +talkin' to you--man to man. If you don't take him, I'll go to the +health inspector--he's a friend of mine--an' I'll put a crimp in you +an' your steamboat, I don't want to do that--it ain't my reg'lar graft +by no means--but this bet goes through as she lays. I never belched up +a secret before. No, sir; I am the human huntin'-case watch, an' I +won't open my face unless you press me. But if I should, you'll see +that it's time for you to hunt a new job. Now, here's my scheme." He +outlined his directions to the sailor, who had fallen silent during the +warning. When he had done, Stephens said: + +"I never had a man talk to me like that before, sir--never. You've +taken advantage of me, and under the circumstances I can't refuse. I'll +do this thing--not because of your threat, but because I heard about +your trouble over the Midas--and because I can't help admiring your +blamed insolence." He went back into his stall. + +Dextry returned to Wheaton's office. As he neared it, he passed a +lounging figure in an adjacent doorway. + +"The place is watched," he announced as he entered. "Have you got a +back door? Good! Leave your light burning and we'll go out that way." +They slipped quietly into an inky, tortuous 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 down the +current, across the bar, and was swallowed up in the darkness to +seaward. "I'll put out Wheaton's light so they'll think he's gone to +bed." + +"Yes, and at daylight I'll take your place in McNamara'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 light, went to their own cabin and to bed. At dawn +Glenister arose and sought his place above McNamara's office. + +To lie 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 stirred had he dared, so intense was his interest in +the scenes being enacted beneath him. + +First had come the marshal, who imported his failure to find Wheaton. + +"He left his room some time last night. My men followed him in and saw +a light in his window until two o'clock this morning. At seven o'clock +we broke in and he was gone." + +"He must have got wind of our plan. Send deputies aboard the Santa +Maria; search her from keel to topmast, and have them watch the beach +close or he'll put off in a small boat. You look over the passengers +that go aboard yourself. 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 understand--there's only one ship in port, and--he mustn't +get away." + +"He won't," said Voorhees, with conviction, and the listener overhead +smiled grimly to himself, for at that moment, twenty miles offshore, +lay Mac's little tug, hove to in the track of the outgoing steamship, +and in her tiny cabin sat Bill Wheaton eating breakfast. + +As the morning wore by with no news of the lawyer, McNamara's +uneasiness grew. At noon the marshal returned with a report that the +passengers were all aboard and the ship about to clear. + +"By Heavens! He's slipped through you," stormed the politician. + +"No, he hasn't. He may be hidden aboard somewhere among the +coal-bunkers, but I think he's still 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 and search her +again. If we don't bring him off you can bet he's lying out somewhere +in town and we'll get him later. I've stationed men along the shore for +two miles." + +"I won't have him get away. If he should reach 'Frisco--Tell your men +I'll give five hundred dollars to the one that finds him." + +Three hours later Voorhees returned. + +"She sailed without him." + +The politician cursed. "I don't believe it. He tricked you. I know he +did." + +Glenister grinned into a half-eaten sandwich, then turned upon his back +and lay thus on the plank, identifying the speakers below by their +voices. + +He kept his post all day. Later in the evening he heard Struve enter. +The man had been drinking. + +"So he got away, eh?" he began. "I was afraid he would. Smart fellow, +that Wheaton." + +"He didn't get away," said McNamara. "He's in town yet. Just let me +land him in jail on some excuse! I'll hold him till snow flies." Struve +sank into a chair and lit a cigarette with wavering hand. + +"This's a hell of a game, ain't it, Mac? D'you s'pose we'll win?" + +The man overhead pricked up his ears. + +"Win? Aren't we winning? What do you call this? I only hope we can lay +hands on Wheaton. He knows things. A little knowledge is a dangerous +thing, but more is worse. Lord! If only I had a MAN for judge in place +of Stillman! I don't know why I brought him." + +"That's right. Too weak. He hasn't got the backbone of an angleworm. He +ain't half the man that his niece is. THERE'S a girl for you! Say! +What'd we do without her, eh? She's a pippin!" Glenister felt a sudden +tightening of every muscle. What right had that man's liquor-sodden +lips to speak so of her? + +"She's a brave little woman all right. Just look how she worked +Glenister and his fool partner. It took nerve to bring in those +instructions of yours alone; and if it hadn't been for her we'd never +have won like this. It makes me laugh to think of those two men stowing +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 I call +reciprocating a man's affection." + +Glenister's nails cut into his flesh, while his face went livid at the +words. He could not grasp it at once. It made him sick--physically +sick--and for many moments he strove blindly to beat back the hideous +suspicion, 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 incapable 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 +double-dealing. Now--God! It couldn't be that all the time she had +KNOWN! + +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 girl. 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--" + +"Do you mean that you're in love with her?" asked the man at the +window, without shifting his position. It seemed that utter +indifference was in his question, although where the light shone on his +hands, tight-clinched behind his back, they were bloodless. + +"Love her? Well--that depends--ha! You know how it is--" he chuckled, +coarsely. His face was gross and bestial. "I've got the Judge where I +want him, and I'll have her--" + +His miserable words died with a gurgle, for McNamara had silently +leaped and throttled him where he sat, pinning him to the wall. +Glenister saw the big politician shift his fingers slightly on Struve's +throat and then drop his left hand to his side, holding his victim +writhing and helpless with his right despite the man's frantic +struggles. McNamara's head was thrust forward from his shoulders, +peering into the lawyer's face. Strove tore ineffectually at the iron +arm which was squeezing his life out, while for endless minutes the +other leaned his weight against him, his idle hand behind his back, his +legs braced like stone columns, as he watched his victim's struggles +abate. + +Struve fought and wrenched while his breath caught in his throat with +horrid, sickening sounds, but gradually his eyes rolled farther and +farther back till they stared out of his blackened visage, straight up +towards the ceiling, towards the hole through which Glenister peered. +His struggles lessened, his chin sagged, and his tongue protruded, then +he sat loose and still. The politician flung him out into the room so +that he fell limply upon his face, then stood watching him. Finally, +McNamara passed out of the watcher's vision, returning with a +water-bucket. With his foot he rolled the unconscious wretch upon his +back, then drenched him. Replacing the pail, he seated himself, lit a +cigar, and watched the return of life into his victim. He made no move, +even to drag him from the pool in which he lay. + +Struve 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 +drunkenness was only fear and faintness--abject fear of the great bulk +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. He +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 removing his cigar. + +"Don't ever talk about her again. She is going to marry me." + +When he was alone he looked curiously up at the ceiling 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 Struve. Had a stranger met them both he +would not have known which of the two had 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 its darkness and silence made him +shudder. Not now! He could not bear that stillness and the company of +his thoughts. He dared not be alone. Dextry would be down-town, +undoubtedly, and he, too, must get into the light and turmoil. He +licked his lips and found that they were cracked and dry. + +At rare intervals during the past years he had staggered in from a long +march where, for hours, he had waged a bitter war with cold and hunger, +his limbs clumsy with fatigue, his garments wet and stiff, his mind +slack and sullen. At such extreme seasons he had felt a consuming +thirst, a thirst which burned and scorched until his very bones cried +out feverishly. Not a thirst for water, nor a thirst which eaten snow +could quench, but a savage yearning of his whole exhausted system for +some stimulant, for some coursing fiery fluid that would burn and +strangle. A thirst for whiskey--for brandy! Remembering these +occasional ferocious desires, he had become charitable to such +unfortunates as were too weak to withstand similar temptations. + +Now with a shock he caught himself in the grip of a thirst as insistent +as though the cold bore down and the weariness of endless heavy miles +wrapped him about. It was no foolish wish to drown his thoughts nor to +banish the grief that preyed upon him, but only thirst! Thirst!--a +crying, trembling, physical lust to quench 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. + +As he elbowed in through the crowd at the Northern, those next him made +room at the bar for they recognized the hunger that peers thus from +men's faces. Their manner recalled Glenister to his senses, and he +wrenched himself away. This was not some solitary, snow-banked +road-house. He would not stand and soak himself, shoulder to shoulder +with stevedores and longshoremen. This was something to be done in +secret. He had no pride in it. The man on his right raised a glass, and +the young man strangled a madness to tear it from his hands. Instead, +he hurried back to the theatre and up to a box, where he drew the +curtains. + +"Whiskey!" he said, thickly, to the waiter. "Bring it to me fast. Don't +you hear? Whiskey!" + +Across the theatre Cherry Malotte had seen him enter and jerk the +curtains together. She arose and went to him, entering without ceremony. + +"What's the matter, boy?" she questioned. + +"Ah! I am glad you came. Talk to me." + +"Thank you for your few well-chosen remarks," she laughed. "Why don't +you ask me to spring some good, original jokes? You look like the +finish to a six-day go-as-you please. What's up?" + +She talked to him for a moment until the waiter entered, then, when she +saw what he bore, she snatched the glass from the tray and poured the +whiskey on the floor. Glenister was on his feet and had her by the +wrist. + +"What do you mean?" he said, roughly. + +"It's whiskey, boy," she cried, "and you don't drink." + +"Of course it's whiskey. Bring me another," he shouted at the attendant. + +"What's the matter?" Cherry insisted. "I never saw you act so. You know +you don't drink. I won't let you. It's booze--booze, I tell you, fit +for fools and brawlers. Don't drink it, Roy. Are you in trouble?" + +"I say I'm thirsty--and I will have it! How do you know what it is to +smoulder inside, and feel your veins burn dry?" + +"It's something about that girl," the woman said, with quiet +conviction. "She's double-crossed you." + +"Well, so she has--but what of it? I'm thirsty. She's going to marry +McNamara. I've been a fool." He ground his teeth and reached for the +drink with which the boy had returned. + +"McNamara is a crook, but he's a man, and he never drank a drop in his +life." The girl said it, casually, evenly, but the other stopped the +glass half-way to his lips. + +"Well, what of it? Goon. You're good at W. C. T. U. talk. Virtue +becomes you." + +She flushed, but continued, "It simply occurred to me that if you +aren't strong enough to handle your own throat, you're not strong +enough to beat a man who has mastered his." + +Glenister looked at the whiskey a moment, then set it back on the tray. + +"Bring two lemonades," he said, and with a laugh which was half a sob +Cherry Malotte leaned forward and kissed him. + +"You're too good a man to drink. Now, tell me all about it." + +"Oh, it's too long! I've just learned that the girl is in, hand and +glove, with the Judge and McNamara--that's all. She's an advance +agent--their lookout. She brought in their instructions to Struve and +persuaded Dex and me to let them jump our claim. She got us to trust in +the law and in her uncle. Yes, she hypnotized my property out of me and +gave it to her lover, this ward politician. Oh, she's smooth, with all +her innocence! Why, when she smiles she makes you glad and good and +warm, and her eyes are as honest and clear as a mountain pool, but +she's wrong--she's wrong--and--great God! how I love her!" He dropped +his face into his hands. + +When she had pled with him for himself a moment before Cherry Malotte +was genuine and girlish but now as he spoke thus of the other woman a +change came over her which he was too disturbed to note. She took on +the subtleness that masked her as a rule, and her eyes were not +pleasant. + +"I could have told you all that and more." + +"More! What more?" he questioned. + +"Do you remember when I warned you and Dextry that they were coming to +search your cabin for the gold? Well, that girl put them on to you. I +found it out afterwards. She keeps the keys to McNamara's safety vault +where your dust lies, and she's the one who handles the Judge. It isn't +McNamara at all." The woman lied easily, fluently, and the man believed +her. + +"Do you remember when they broke into your safe and took that money?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, what made them think you had ten thousand in there?" + +"I don't know." + +"I do. Dextry told her." + +Glenister arose. "That's all I want to hear now. I'm going crazy. My +mind aches, for I've never had a fight like this before and it hurts. +You see, I've been an animal all these years. When I wanted to drink, I +drank, and what I wanted, I got, because I've been strong enough to +take it. This is new to me. I'm going down-stairs now and try to think +of something else--then I'm going home." + +When he had gone she pulled back the curtains, and, leaning her chin in +her hands, with elbows on the ledge, gazed down upon the crowd. The +show was over and the dance had begun, but she did not see it, for she +was thinking rapidly with the eagerness of one who sees the end of a +long and weary search. She did not notice the Bronco Kid beckoning to +her nor the man with him, so the gambler brought his friend along and +invaded her box. He introduced the man as Mr. Champian. + +"Do you feel like dancing?" the new-comer inquired. + +"No; I'd rather look on. I feel sociable. You're a society man, Mr. +Champian. Don't you know anything of interest? Scandal or the like?" + +"Can't say that I do. My wife attends to all that for the family. But I +know there's lots of it. It's funny to me, the airs some of these +people assume up here, just as though we weren't all equal, north of +Fifty-three. I never heard the like." + +"Anything new and exciting?" inquired Bronco, mildly interested. + +"The last I heard was about the Judge's niece, Miss Chester." + +Cherry Malotte turned abruptly, while the Kid slowly lowered the front +legs of his chair to the floor. + +"What was it?" she inquired. + +"Why, it seems she compromised herself pretty badly with this fellow +Glenister coming up on the steamer last spring. Mighty brazen, +according to my wife. Mrs. Champian was on the same ship and says she +was horribly shocked." + +Ah! Glenister had told her only half the tale, thought the girl. The +truth was baring itself. At that moment Champian thought she looked the +typical creature of the dance-halls, the crafty, jealous, malevolent +adventuress. + +"And the hussy masquerades as a lady," she sneered. + +"She IS a lady," said the Kid. He sat bolt upright and rigid, and the +knuckles of his clinched hands were very white. In the shadow they did +not note that his dark face was ghastly, nor did he say more except to +bid Champian good-bye when he left, later on. After the door had +closed, however, the Kid arose and stretched his muscles, not +languidly, but as though to take out the cramp of long tension. He wet +his lips, and his mouth was so dry that the sound caused the girl to +look up. + +"What are you grinning at?" Then, as the light struck his face, she +started. "My! How you look! What ails you? Are you sick?" No one, from +Dawson down, had seen the Bronco Kid as he looked to-night. + +"No. I'm not sick," he answered, in a cracked voice. + +Then the girl laughed harshly. + +"Do YOU love that girl, too? Why, she's got every man in town crazy." + +She wrung her hands, which is a bad sign in a capable person, and as +Glenister crossed the floor below in her sight she said, "Ah-h--I could +kill him for that!" + +"So could I," said the Kid, and left her without adieu. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN WHICH A MAN IS POSSESSED OF A DEVIL + + +For a long time Cherry Malotte sat quietly thinking, removed by her +mental stress to such an infinite distance from the music and turmoil +beneath that she was conscious of it only as a formless clamor. She had +tipped a chair back against the door, wedging it beneath the knob so +that she might be saved from interruption, then flung herself into +another seat and stared unseeingly. As she sat thus, and thought, and +schemed, harsh and hateful lines seemed to eat into her face. Now and +then she moaned impatiently, as though fearing lest the strategy she +was plotting might prove futile; then she would rise and pace her +narrow quarters. She was unconscious of time, and had spent perhaps 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 mantle. A man was speaking of Glenister. +Excitement thrilled his voice. + +"I never saw anything like it since McMaster's Night in Virginia City, +thirteen years ago. He's RIGHT." + +"Well, perhaps so," the other replied, doubtfully, "but I don't care to +back you. I never 'staked' a man in my life." + +"Then LEND me the money. I'll pay it back in an hour, but for Heaven's +sake be quick. I tell you he's as right as a golden guinea. It's the +lucky night of his life. Why, he turned over the Black Jack game in +four bets. In fifteen minutes more we can't get close enough to a table +to send in our money with a messenger-boy--every sport in camp will be +here." + +"I'll stake you to fifty," the second man replied, in a tone that +showed a trace of his companion's excitement. + +So Glenister was gambling, the girl learned, and with such luck as to +break the Black Jack game and excite the greed of every gambler in +camp. News of his winnings had gone out into the street, and the +sporting men were coming to share his fortune, to fatten like vultures +on the adversity of their fellows. Those who had no money to stake were +borrowing, like the man next door. + +She left her retreat, and, descending the stairs, was greeted by a +strange sight. The dance-hall was empty of all but the musicians, who +blew and fiddled lustily in vain endeavor to draw from the rapidly +swelling crowd that thronged the gambling-room and stretched to the +door. The press was thickest about a table midway down the hall. Cherry +could see nothing of what went on there, for men and women stood ten +deep about it and others perched on chairs and tables along the walls. +A roar arose suddenly, followed by utter silence; then came the clink +and rattle of silver. A moment, and the crowd resumed its laughter and +talk. + +"All down, boys," sounded the level voice of the dealer. "The field or +the favorite. He's made eighteen straight passes. Get your money on the +line." There ensued another breathless instant wherein she heard the +thud of dice, then followed the shout of triumph that told what the +spots revealed. The dealer payed off. Glenister reared himself head and +shoulders above the others and pushed out through the ring to the +roulette-wheel. The rest followed. Behind the circular table they had +quitted, the dealer was putting away his dice, and there was not a coin +in his rack. Mexico Mullins approached Cherry, and she questioned him. + +"He just broke the crap game," Mullins told her; "nineteen passes +without losing the bones." + +"How much did he win?" + +"Oh, he didn't win much himself, but it's the people betting with him +that does the damage! They're gamblers, most of them, and they play the +limit. He took out the Black Jack bank-roll first, $4,000, then cleaned +the 'Tub.' By that time the tin horns began to come in. It's the +greatest run I ever see." + +"Did you get in?" + +"Now, don't you know that I never play anything but 'bank'? If he lasts +long enough to reach the faro lay-out, I'll get mine." + +The excitement of the crowd began to infect the girl, even though she +looked on from the outside. The exultant voices, the sudden hush, the +tensity of nerve it all betokened, set her a-thrill. A stranger left +the throng and rushed to the spot where Cherry and Mexico stood +talking. He was small and sandy, with shifting glance and chinless jaw. +His eyes glittered, his teeth shone rat-like through his dry lips, and +his voice was shrill. He darted towards them like some furtive, +frightened little animal, unnaturally excited. + +"I guess that isn't so bad for three bets!" He shook a sheaf of +bank-notes at them. + +"Why don't you stick?" inquired Mullins. + +"I am too wise. Ha! I know when to quit. He can't win steady--he don't +play any system." + +"Then he has a good chance," said the girl. + +"There he goes now," the little man cried as the uproar arose. "I told +you he'd lose." At the voice of the multitude he wavered as though +affected by some powerful magnet. + +"But he won again," said Mexico. + +"No! Did he? Lord! I quit too soon!" + +He scampered back into the other room, only to return, hesitating, his +money tightly clutched. + +"Do you s'pose it's safe? I never saw a man bet so reckless. I guess +I'd better quit, eh?" He noted the sneer on the woman's face, and +without waiting a reply dashed off again. They saw him clamorously +fight his way in towards a post at the roulette-table. "Let me through! +I've got money and I want to play it!" + +"Pah!" said Mullins, disgustedly. "He's one of them Vermont desperadoes +that never laid a bet till he was thirty. If Glenister loses he'll hate +him for life." + +"There are plenty of his sort here," the girl remarked; "his soul would +fit in a flea-track." She spied the Bronco Kid sauntering back towards +her and joined him. He leaned against the wall, watching the gossamer +thread of smoke twist upward from his cigarette, seemingly oblivious to +the surroundings, and showing no hint of the emotion he had displayed +two hours before. + +"This is a big killing, isn't it?" said the girl. The gambler nodded, +murmuring indifferently. + +"Why aren't you dealing bank? Isn't this your shift?" + +"I quit last night." + +"Just in time to miss this affair. Lucky for you." + +"Yes; I own the place now. Bought it yesterday." + +"Good Heavens! Then it's YOUR money he's winning." + +"Sure, at the rate of a thousand a minute." + +She glanced at the long trail of devastated tables behind Glenister and +his followers. At that instant the sound told that the miner had won +again, and it dawned upon Cherry that the gambler beside her stood too +quietly, that his hand and voice were too steady, his glance too cold +to be natural. The next moment approved her instinct. + +The musicians, grown tired of their endeavors to lure back the dancers, +determined to join the excitement, and ceased playing. The leader laid +down his violin, the pianist trailed up the key-board with a departing +twitter and quit his stool. They all crossed the hall, headed for the +crowd, some of them making ready to bet. As they approached the Bronco +Kid, his lips thinned and slid apart slightly, while out of his +heavy-lidded eyes there flared unreasoning rage. Stepping forward, he +seized the foremost man and spun him about violently. + +"Where are you going?" + +"Why, nobody wants to dance, so we thought we'd go out front for a bit." + +"Get back, damn you!" It was his first chance to vent the passion +within him. A glance at his maddened features was sufficient for the +musicians, and they did not delay. By the time they had resumed their +duties, however, the curtains of composure had closed upon the Kid, +masking his emotion again; but from her brief glimpse Cherry Malotte +knew that this man was not of ice, as some supposed. He turned to her +and said, "Do you mean what you said up-stairs?" + +"I don't understand." + +"You said you could kill Glenister." + +"I could." + +"Don't you love--" + +"I HATE him," she interrupted, hoarsely. He gave her a mirthless smile, +and spying the crap-dealer leaving his bankrupt table, called him over +and said: + +"Toby, I want you to 'drive the hearse' when Glenister begins to play +faro. I'll deal. Understand?" + +"Sure! Going to give him a little 'work,' eh?" + +"I never dealt a crooked card in this camp," exclaimed the Kid, "but +I'll 'lay' that man to-night or I'll kill him! I'll use a 'sand-tell,' +see! And I want to explain my signals to you. If you miss the signs +you'll queer us both and put the house on the blink." + +He rapidly rehearsed his signals in a jargon which to a layman would +have been unintelligible, illustrating them by certain almost +imperceptible shiftings of the fingers or changes in the position of +his hand, so slight as to thwart discovery. Through it all the girl +stood by and followed his every word and motion with eager attention. +She needed no explanation of the terms they used. She knew them all, +knew that the "hearse-driver" was the man who kept the cases, knew all +the code of the "inside life." To her it was all as an open page, and +she memorized more quickly than did Toby the signs by which the Bronco +Kid proposed to signal what card he had smuggled from the box or held +back. + +In faro it is customary for the case-keeper to sit on the opposite side +of the table from the dealer, with a device before him resembling an +abacus, or Chinese adding-machine. When a card is removed from the +faro-box by the dealer, the "hearse-driver" moves a button opposite a +corresponding card on his little machine, in order that the players, at +a glance, may tell what spots have been played or are still in the box. +His duties, though simple, are important, for should he make an error, +and should the position of his counters not tally with the cards in the +box on the "last turn," all bets on the table are declared void. When +honestly dealt, faro is the fairest of all gambling games, but it is +intricate, and may hide much knavery. When the game is crooked, it is +fatal, for out of the ingenuity of generations of card sharks there +have been evolved a multitude of devices with which to fleece the +unsuspecting. These are so carefully masked that none but the initiated +may know them, while the freemasonry of the craft is strong and +discovery unusual. + +Instead of using a familiar arrangement like the "needle-tell," wherein +an invisible needle pricks the dealer's thumb, thus signalling the +presence of certain cards, the Bronco Kid had determined to use the +"sand-tell." In other words, he would employ a "straight box," but a +deck of cards, certain ones of which had been roughened or sand-papered +slightly, so that, by pressing more heavily on the top or exposed card, +the one beneath would stick to its neighbor above, and thus enable him +to deal two with one motion if the occasion demanded. This roughness +would likewise enable him to detect the hidden presence of a marked +card by the faintest scratching sound when he dealt. In this +manipulation it would be necessary, also, to shave the edges of some of +the pasteboards a trifle, so that, when the deck was forced firmly +against one side of the box, there would be exposed a fraction of the +small figure in the left-hand corner of the concealed cards. Long +practice in the art of jugglery lends such proficiency as to baffle +discovery and rob the game of its uncertainty as surely as the player +is robbed of his money. It is, of course, vital that the confederate +case-keeper be able to interpret the dealer's signs perfectly in order +to move the sliding ebony disks to correspond, else trouble will accrue +at the completion of the hand when the cases come out wrong. + +Having completed his instructions, the proprietor went forward, and +Cherry wormed her way towards the roulette-wheel. She wished to watch +Glenister, but could not get near him because of the crowd. The men +would not make room for her. Every eye was glued upon the table as +though salvation lurked in its rows of red and black. They were packed +behind it until the croupier had barely room to spin the ball, and +although he forced them back, they pressed forward again inch by inch, +drawn by the song of the ivory, drunk with its worship, maddened by the +breath of Chance. + +Cherry gathered that Glenister was still winning, for a glimpse of the +wheel-rack between the shoulders of those ahead showed that the checks +were nearly out of it. + +Plainly it was but a question of minutes, so she backed out and took +her station beside the faro-table where the Bronco Kid was dealing. His +face wore its colorless mask of indifference; his long white hands +moved slowly with the certainty that betokened absolute mastery of his +art. He was waiting. The ex-crap dealer was keeping cases. + +The group left the roulette-table in a few moments and surrounded her, +Glenister among the others. He was not the man she knew. In place of +the dreary hopelessness with which he had left her, his face was +flushed and reckless, his collar was open, showing the base of his +great, corded neck, while the lust of the game had coarsened him till +he was again the violent, untamed, primitive man of the frontier. His +self-restraint and dignity were gone. He had tried the new ways, and +they were not for him. He slipped back, and the past swallowed him. + +After leaving Cherry he had sought some mental relief by idly risking +the silver in his pocket. He had let the coins lie and double, then +double again and again. He had been indifferent whether he won or lost, +so assumed a reckless disregard for the laws of probability, thinking +that he would shortly lose the money he had won and then go home. He +did not want it. When his luck remained the same, he raised the stakes, +but it did not change--he could not lose. Before he realized it, other +men were betting with him, animated purely by greed and craze of the +sport. First one, then another joined till game after game was closed, +and each moment the crowd had grown in size and enthusiasm so that its +fever crept into him, imperceptibly at first, but ever increasing, till +the mania mastered him. + +He paid no attention to Cherry as he took his seat. He had eyes for +nothing but the "lay-out." She clenched her hands and prayed for his +ruin. + +"What's your limit, Kid?" he inquired. + +"One hundred, and two," the Kid answered, which in the vernacular means +that any sum up to $200 be laid on one card save only on the last turn, +when the amount is lessened by half. + +Without more ado they commenced. The Kid handled his cards smoothly, +surely, paying and taking bets with machine-like calm. The on-lookers +ceased talking and prepared to watch, for now came the crucial test of +the evening. Faro is to other games as war is to jackstraws. + +For a time Glenister won steadily till there came a moment when many +stacks of chips lay on the deuce. Cherry saw the Kid "flash" to the +case-keeper, and the next moment he had "pulled two." The deuce lost. +It was his first substantial gain, and the players paid no attention. +At the end of half an hour the winnings were slightly in favor of the +"house." Then Glenister said, "This is too slow. I want action." + +"All right," smiled the proprietor. "We'll double the limit." + +Thus it became possible to wager $400 on a card, and the Kid began +really to play. Glenister now lost steadily, not in large amounts, but +with tantalizing regularity. Cherry had never seen cards played like +this. The gambler was a revelation to her--his work was wonderful. Ill +luck seemed to fan the crowd's eagerness, while, to add to its +impatience, the cases came wrong twice in succession, so that those who +would have bet heavily upon the last turn had their money given back. +Cherry saw the confusion of the "hearse-driver" even quicker than did +Bronco. Toby was growing rattled. The dealer's work was too fast for +him, and yet he could offer no signal of distress for fear of +annihilation at the hands of those crowded close to his shoulder. In +the same way the owner of the game could make no objection to his +helper's incompetence for fear that some by-stander would volunteer to +fill the man's part--there were many present capable of the trick. He +could only glare balefully across the table at his unfortunate +confederate. + +They had not gone far on the next game before Cherry's quick eye +detected a sign which the man misinterpreted. She addressed him, +quietly, "You'd better brush up your plumes." + +In spite of his anger the Bronco Kid smiled. Humor in him was strangely +withered and distorted, yet here was a thrust he would always remember +and recount with glee in years to come. He feared there were other +faro-dealers present who might understand the hint, but there was none +save Mexico Mullins, whose face was a study--mirth seemed to be +strangling him. A moment later the girl spoke to the case-keeper again. + +"Let me take your place; your reins are unbuckled." + +Toby glanced inquiringly at the Kid, who caught Cherry's reassuring +look and nodded, so he arose and the girl slid into the vacant chair. +This woman would make no errors--the dealer knew that; her keen wits +were sharpened by hate--it showed in her face. If Glenister escaped +destruction to-night it would be because human means could not +accomplish his downfall. + +In the mind of the new case-keeper there was but one thought--Roy must +be broken. Humiliation, disgrace, ruin, ridicule were to be his. If he +should be downed, discredited, and discouraged, then, perhaps, he would +turn to her as he had in the by-gone days. He was slipping away from +her--this was her last chance. She began her duties easily, and her +alertness stimulated Bronco till his senses, too, grew sharper, his +observation more acute and lightning-like. Glenister swore beneath his +breath that the cards were bewitched. He was like a drunken man, now as +truly intoxicated as though the fumes of wine had befogged his brain. +He swayed in his seat, the veins of his neck thickened 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 and acquiesced. "All +right, the limit is the blue sky. Pile your checks to the roof-pole." +He began to shuffle. + +Within the crowded circle the air was hot and fetid with the breath of +men. The sweat trickled down Glenister's brown skin, dripping from his +jaw unnoticed. He arose and ripped off his coat, while those standing +behind shifted and scuffed their feet impatiently. Besides Roy, there +were but three men playing. They were the ones who had won heaviest at +first. Now that luck was against them they were loath 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 lips +twitching. He had lost back, long since, the hundreds 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, she thought, else this task might +fail. She would help to blast Glenister, desolate him, humiliate him. +Ah, but wouldn't she! + +Roy bet $100 on the "popular" card. On the third turn he lost. He bet +$200 next and lost. He set out a stack of $400 and lost for the third +time. Fortune had turned her face. He ground his teeth and doubled +until the stakes grew enormous, while the dealer dealt monotonously. +The spots flashed and disappeared, 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 would +stay until he won. He would win. This luck would not, could not, +last--and yet with diabolic persistence he continued to choose the +losing cards. The other men fared better till be yielded to their +judgment, 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 straight 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 ruin. When +at long intervals he won a bet she shrank and shivered for fear he +might escape. If only he would risk it all--everything he had. He would +have to come to her then! + +The end was closer than she realized. The throng hung breathless upon +each move of the players, while there was no sound but the noise of +shifting chips and the distant jangle of the orchestra. The lookout sat +far forward upon his perch, his hands upon his knees, his eyes frozen +to the board, a dead cigar clenched between his teeth. Crowded upon his +platform were miners tense and motionless as statues. When a man spoke +or coughed, a score of eyes stared at him accusingly, then dropped to +the table again. + +Glenister took from his clothes a bundle of bank-notes, so thick that +it required his two hands to compass it. On-lookers saw that the bills +were mainly yellow. No one spoke while he counted them rapidly, glanced +at the dealer, who nodded, then slid them forward till they rested on +the king. He placed a "copper" on the pile. A great sigh of indrawn +breaths swept through the crowd. The North had never known a bet like +this--it meant a fortune. Here was a tale for one's grandchildren--that +a man should win opulence in an evening, then lose it in one deal. This +final bet represented more than many of them had ever seen a one time +before. Its fate lay on a single card. + +Cherry Malotte's fingers were like ice and shook till the buttons of +her case-keeper rattled, her heart raced till she could not breathe, +while something rose up and choked her. If Glenister won this bet he +would quit; she felt it. If he lost, ah! what could the Kid there feel, +the man who was playing for a paltry vengeance, compared to her whose +hope of happiness, of love, of life hinged on this wager? + +Evidently the Bronco Kid knew what card lay next below, for he offered +her no sign, and as Glenister leaned back he slowly and firmly pushed +the top card out of the box. Although this was the biggest turn of his +life, he betrayed no tremor. His gesture displayed the nine of +diamonds, and the crowd breathed heavily. The king had not won. Would +it lose? Every gaze was welded to the tiny nickelled box. If the +face-card lay next beneath the nine-spot, the heaviest wager in Alaska +would have been lost; if it still remained hidden on the next turn, the +money would be safe for a moment. + +Slowly the white hand of the dealer moved back; his middle finger +touched the nine of diamonds; it slid smoothly out of the box, and +there in its place frowned the king of clubs. At last the silence was +broken. + +Men spoke, some laughed, but in their laughter was no mirth. It was +more like the sound of choking. They stamped their feet to relieve the +grip of strained muscles. The dealer reached forth and slid the stack +of bills into the drawer at his waist without counting. The case-keeper +passed a shaking hand over her face, and when it came away she saw +blood on her fingers where she had sunk her teeth into her lower lip. +Glenister did not rise. He sat, heavy-browed and sullen, his jaw thrust +forward, his hair low upon his forehead, his eyes bloodshot and dead. + +"I'll sit the hand out if you'll let me bet the 'finger,'" said he. + +"Certainly," replied the dealer. + +When a man requests this privilege it means that he will call the +amount of his wager without producing the visible stakes, and the +dealer may accept or refuse according to his judgment of the bettor's +responsibility. It is safe, for no man shirks a gambling debt in the +North, and thousands may go with a nod of the head though never a cent +be on the board. + +There were still a few cards in the box, and the dealer turned them, +paying the three men who played. Glenister took no part, but sat bulked +over his end of the table glowering from beneath his shock of hair. + +Cherry was deathly tired. The strain of the last hour had been so +intense that she could barely sit in her seat, yet she was determined +to finish the hand. As Bronco paused before the last turn, many of the +by-standers made bets. They were the "case-players" who risked money +only on the final pair, thus avoiding the chance of two cards of like +denomination coming together, in which event ("splits" it is called) +the dealer takes half the money. The stakes were laid at last and the +deal about to start when Glenister spoke. "Wait! What's this place +worth, Bronco?" + +"What do you mean?" + +"You own this outfit?" He waved his hand about the room. "Well, what +does it stand you?" + +The gambler hesitated an instant while the crowd pricked up its ears, +and the girl turned wondering, troubled eyes upon the miner. What would +he do now? + +"Counting bank rolls, fixtures, and all, about a hundred and twenty +thousand dollars. Why?" + +"I'll pick the ace to lose, my one-half interest in the Midas against +your whole damned lay-out!" + +There was an absolute hush while the realization of this offer smote +the on-lookers. It took time to realize it. This man was insane. There +were three cards to choose from--one would win, one would lose, and one +would have no action. + +Of all those present only Cherry Malotte divined even vaguely the real +reason which prompted the man to do this. It was not "gameness," nor +altogether a brutish stubbornness which would not let him quit, It was +something 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 Midas with its lawsuits, its intrigues, and 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 more. + +When he put his proposition, the Bronco Kid dropped his eyes as though +debating. The girl saw that he studied the cards in his box intently +and that his fingers 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 Glenister was a pauper. + +"Come on," insisted 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 hand to his chin, 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. Here lay half of it, hidden beneath a tawdry square of +pasteboard. With maddening deliberation the Kid dealt the top card. +Beneath it was the trey of spades. Glenister said no word nor made a +move. Some one coughed, and it sounded like a gunshot. Slowly the +dealer's fingers retraced their way. He hesitated purposely and leered +at the girl, then the three-spot disappeared and beneath it lay the ace +as the king had lain on that other wager. It spelled utter ruin to +Glenister. He raised his eyes blindly, and then the deathlike silence +of the room was shattered by a sudden crash. Cherry Malotte had closed +her check-rack violently, at the same instant crying shrill and clear: +"That bet is off! The cases are wrong!" + +Glenister half rose, overturning his chair; the Kid lunged forward +across the table, and his wonderful hands, tense and talon-like, thrust +themselves forward as though reaching for the riches she had snatched +away. They worked and writhed and trembled as though in dumb fury, the +nails sinking into the oil-cloth table-cover. His face grew livid and +cruel, while his eyes blazed at her till she shrank from him +affrightedly, bracing herself away from the table with rigid arms. + +Reason came slowly back to Glenister, and understanding with it. He +seemed to awake from a nightmare. He could read all too plainly the +gambler's look of baffled hate as the man sprawled on the table, his +arms spread wide, his eyes glaring at the cowering woman, who shrank +before him like a rabbit before a snake. She tried to speak, but +choked. Then the dealer came to himself, and cried harshly through his +teeth one word: + +"Christ!" + +He raised his fist and struck the table so violently that chips and +coppers leaped and rolled, and Cherry closed her eyes to lose sight of +his awful grimace. Glenister looked down on him and said: + +"I think I understand; but the money was yours, anyhow, so I don't +mind." His meaning was plain. The Kid suddenly jerked open the drawer +before him, but Glenister clenched his right hand and leaned forward. +The miner could have killed him with a blow, for the gambler was seated +and at his mercy. The 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. + +"You have taught me a lesson," was all that Glenister said, and with +that he pushed through the crowd and out into the cool night air. +Overhead the arctic stars winked at him, and the sea smells struck him, +clean and fresh. As he went homeward he heard the distant, +full-throated plaint of a wolf-dog. It held the mystery and sadness of +the North. He paused, arid, baring his thick, matted head, stood for a +long time gathering himself together. Standing so, he made certain +covenants with himself, and vowed solemnly never to touch another card. + +At the same moment Cherry Malotte came hurrying to her cottage door, +fleeing as though from pursuit or from some hateful, haunted spot. She +paused before entering and flung her arms outward into the dark in a +wide gesture of despair. + +"Why did I do it? Oh! WHY did I do it? I can't understand myself." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A MIDNIGHT MESSENGER + + +"My dear Helen, don't you realize that my official position carries +with it a certain social obligation which it is our duty to discharge?" + +"I suppose so, Uncle Arthur; but I would much rather stay at home." + +"Tut, tut! Go and have a good time." + +"Dancing doesn't appeal to me any more. I left that sort of thing back +home. Now, if you would only come along--" + +"No--I'm too busy. I must work to-night, and I'm not in a mood for such +things, anyhow." + +"You're not well," his niece said. "I have noticed it for weeks. Is it +hard work or are you truly ill? You're nervous; you don't eat; you're +growing positively gaunt. Why--you're getting wrinkles like an old +man." She rose from her seat at the breakfast-table and went to him, +smoothing his silvered head with affection. + +He took her cool hand and pressed it to his cheek, while the worry that +haunted him habitually of late gave way to a smile. + +"It's work, little girl--hard and thankless work, that's all. This +country is intended for young men, and I'm too far along." His eyes +grew grave again, and he squeezed her fingers nervously as though at +the thought. "It's a terrible country--this--I--I--wish we had never +seen it." + +"Don't say that," Helen cried, spiritedly. "Why, it's glorious. Think +of the honor. You're a United States judge and the first one to come +here. You're making history--you're building a State--people will read +about you." She stooped and kissed him; but he seemed to flinch beneath +her caress. + +"Of course I'll go if you think I'd better," she said, "though I'm not +fond of Alaskan society. Some of the women are nice, but the others--" +She shrugged her dainty shoulders. "They talk scandal all the time. One +would think that a great, clean, fresh, vigorous country like this +would broaden the women as it broadens the men--but it doesn't." + +"I'll tell McNamara to call for you at nine o'clock," said the Judge as +he arose. So, later in the day she prepared her long unused finery to +such good purpose that when her escort called for her that evening he +believed her the loveliest of women. + +Upon their arrival at the hotel he regarded her with a fresh access of +pride, for the function proved to bear little resemblance to a +mining-camp party. The women wore handsome gowns, and every man was in +evening dress. The wide hall ran the length of the hotel and was +flanked with boxes, while its floor was like polished glass and its +walls effectively decorated. + +"Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed Helen as she first caught sight of it. +"It's just like home." + +"I've seen quick-rising cities before," he said, "but nothing like +this. Still, if these Northerners can build a railroad in a month and a +city in a summer, why shouldn't they have symphony orchestras and Louis +Quinze ballrooms?" + +"I know you're a splendid dancer," she said. + +"You shall be my judge and jury. I'll sign this card as often as I dare +without the certainty of violence at the hands of these young men, and +the rest of the time I'll smoke in the lobby. I don't care to dance +with any one but you." + +After the first waltz he left her surrounded by partners and made his +way out of the ballroom. This was his first relaxation since landing in +the North. It was well not to become a dull boy, he mused, and as he +chewed his cigar he pictured with an odd thrill, quite unusual with +him, that slender, gray-eyed girl, with her coiled mass of hair, her +ivory shoulders, and merry smile. He saw her float past to the measure +of a two-step, and caught himself resenting the thought of another +man's enjoyment of the girl's charms even for an instant. + +"Hold on, Alec," he muttered. "You're too old a bird to lose your +head." However, he was waiting for her 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 yourself?" + +"Oh, yes!" she returned, brightly. "I'm having a delightful time." + +When he came for his third dance, she was more distraite than ever. As +he led her to a seat they passed a group of women, among whom were Mrs. +Champian and others 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 was astonished when they returned his greeting but ignored +Helen. She shrank slightly, and he realized that there was something +wrong; he could not guess what. Affairs of men he could cope with, but +the subtleties of women were out of his realm. + +"What ails those people? Have they offended you?" + +"I don't know what it is. I have spoken to them, but they cut me." + +"Cut YOU?" he exclaimed. + +"Yes." Her voice trembled, but she held her head high. "It seems as +though all the women in Nome were here and in league to ignore me. It +dazes me--I do not understand." + +"Has anybody said anything to you?" he inquired, fiercely. "Any man, I +mean?" + +"No, no! The men are kind. It's the women." + +"Come--we'll go home." + +"Indeed, we will not," she said, proudly. "I shall stay and face it +out. I have done nothing to run away from, and I intend to find out +what is the matter." + +When he had surrendered her, at the beginning of the next dance, +McNamara sought for some acquaintance whom he might question. Most of +the men in Nome either hated or feared him, but he espied one that he +thought suited his purpose, and led him into a corner. + +"I want you to answer a question. No beating about the bush. +Understand? I'm blunt, and I want you to be." + +"All right." + +"Your wife has been entertained at Miss Chester's house. I've seen her +there. To-night she refuses to speak to the girl. She cut her dead, and +I want to know what it's about." + +"How should I know?" + +"If you don't know, I'll ask you to find out." + +The other shook his head amusedly, at which McNamara flared up. + +"I say you will, and you'll make your wife apologize before she leaves +this hall, too, or you'll answer to me, man to man. I won't stand to +have a girl like Miss Chester cold-decked by a bunch of mining-camp +swells, and that goes as it lies." In his excitement, McNamara reverted +to his Western idiom. + +The other did not reply at once, for it is embarrassing to deal with a +person who disregards the conventions utterly, and at the same time has +the inclination and force to compel obedience. The boss's reputation +had gone abroad. + +"Well--er--I know about it in a general way, but of course I don't go +much on such things. You'd better let it drop." + +"Go on." + +"There has been a lot of talk among the ladies about--well, er--the +fact is, it's that young Glenister. Mrs. Champian had the next +state-room to them--er--him--I should say--on the way up from the +States, and she saw things. Now, as far as I'm concerned, a girl can do +what she pleases, but Mrs. Champian has her own ideas of propriety. +From what my wife could learn, there's some truth in the story, too, so +you can't blame her." + +With a word McNamara could have explained the gossip and made this man +put his wife right, forcing through her an elucidation of the silly +affair in such a way as to spare Helen's feelings and cover the +busy-tongued magpies with confusion. Yet he hesitated. It is a wise +skipper who trims his sails to every breeze. He thanked his informant +and left him. Entering the lobby, he saw the girl hurrying towards him. + +"Take me away, quick! I want to go home." + +"You've changed your mind?"' + +"Yes, let us go," she panted, and when they were outside she walked so +rapidly that he had difficulty in keeping pace with her. She was +silent, and he knew better than to question, but when they arrived at +her house he entered, took off his overcoat, and turned up the light in +the tiny parlor. She flung her wraps over a chair, storming back and +forth like a little fury. Her eyes were starry with tears of anger, her +face was flushed, her hands worked nervously. He leaned against the +mantel, watching her through his cigar smoke. + +"You needn't tell me," he said, at length. "I know all about it." + +"I am glad you do. I never could repeat what they said. Oh, it was +brutal!" Her voice caught and she bit her lip. "What made me ask them? +Why didn't I keep still? After you left, I went to those women and +faced them. Oh, but they were brutal? Yet, why should I care?" She +stamped her slippered foot. + +"I shall have to kill that man some day," he said, flecking his cigar +ashes into the grate. + +"What man?" She stood still and looked at him. + +"Glenister, of course. If I had thought the story would ever reach you, +I'd have shut him up long ago." + +"It didn't come from him," she cried, hot with indignation. "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, curiously. + +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 important 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 unpleasant, 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-born 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 his playthings, and they knew it. She was not sure +that she loved him, but his magnetism was overpowering, 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 door. McNamara scowled, walked into the hall, and flung +the portal open, disclosing Struve. + +"Hello, McNamara! Been looking all over for you. There's the deuce to +pay!" Helen sighed with relief and gathered up her cloak, while the hum +of their voices reached her indistinctly. She was given plenty of time +to regain her composure before they appeared. When they did, the +politician spoke, sourly: + +"I've been called to the mines, and I must go at once." + +"You bet! It may be too late now. The news came an hour ago, but I +couldn't find you," said Struve. "Your horse is saddled at the office. +Better not wait to change your clothes." + +"You say Voorhees has gone with twenty deputies, eh? That's good. You +stay here and find out all you can." + +"I telephoned out to the Creek for the boys to arm themselves and throw +out pickets. If you hurry you can get there in time. It's only midnight +now." + +"What is the trouble?" Miss Chester inquired, anxiously. + +"There's a plot on to attack the mines to-night," answered the lawyer. +"The other side are trying to seize them, and there's apt to be a +fight." + +"You mustn't go out there," she cried, aghast. "There will be +bloodshed." + +"That's just why I MUST go," said McNamara. "I'll come back in the +morning, though, and I'd like to see you alone. Good-night!" There was +a strange, new light in his eyes as he left her. For one unversed in +woman's ways he played the game surprisingly well, and as he hurried +towards his office he smiled grimly into the darkness. + +"She'll answer me to-morrow. Thank you, Mr. Glenister," he said to +himself. + +Helen questioned Struve at length, but gained nothing more than that +secret-service men had been at work for weeks and had to-day unearthed +the fact that Vigilantes had been formed. They had heard enough to make +them think the mines would be jumped again to-night, and so had given +the alarm. + +"Have you hired spies?" she asked, incredulously. + +"Sure. We had to. The other people shadowed us, and it's come to a +point where it's life or death to one side or the other. I told +McNamara we'd have bloodshed before we were through, when he first +outlined the scheme--I mean when the trouble began." + +She wrung her hands. "That's what uncle feared before we left Seattle. +That's why I took the risks I did in bringing you those papers. I +thought you got them in time to avoid all this." + +Struve laughed a bit, eying her curiously. + +"Does Uncle Arthur know about this?" she continued. + +"No, we don't let him know anything more than necessary; he's not a +strong man." + +"Yes, yes. He's not well." Again the lawyer smiled. "Who is behind this +Vigilante movement?" + +"We think it is Glenister and his New Mexican bandit partner. At least +they got the crowd together." She was silent for a time. + +"I suppose they really think they own those mines." + +"Undoubtedly." + +"But they don't, do they?" Somehow this question had recurred to her +insistently of late, for things were constantly happening which showed +there was more back of this great, fierce struggle than she knew. It +was impossible that injustice had been done the mine-owners, and yet +scattered talk reached her which was puzzling. When she strove to +follow it up, her acquaintances adroitly changed the subject. She was +baffled on every side. The three local newspapers upheld the court. She +read them carefully, and was more at sea than ever. There was a +disturbing undercurrent of alarm and unrest that caused her to feel +insecure, as though standing on hollow ground. + +"Yes, this whole disturbance is caused by those two. Only for them we'd +be all right." + +"Who is Miss Malotte?" + +He answered, promptly: "The handsomest woman in the North, and the most +dangerous." + +"In what way? Who is she?" + +"It's hard to say who or what she is--she's different from other women. +She came to Dawson in the early days--just came--we didn't know how, +whence, or why, and we never found out. We woke up one morning and +there she was. By night we were all jealous, and in a week we were most +of us drivelling idiots. It might have been the mystery or, perhaps, +the competition. That was the day when a dance-hall girl could make a +homestake in a winter or marry a millionaire in a month, but she never +bothered. She toiled not, neither did she spin on the waxed floors, yet +Solomon in all his glory would have looked like a tramp beside her." + +"You say she is dangerous?" + +"Well, there was the young nobleman, in the winter of '98, Dane, I +think--fine family and all that--big, yellow-haired boy. He wanted to +marry her, but a faro-dealer shot him. Then there was Rock, of the +mounted police, the finest officer in the service. He was cashiered. +She knew he was going to pot for her, but she didn't seem to care--and +there were others. Yet, with it all, she is the most generous person +and the most tender-hearted. Why, she has fed every 'stew bum' on the +Yukon, and there isn't a busted prospector in the country who wouldn't +swear by her, for she has grubstaked dozens of them. I was horribly in +love with her myself. Yes, she's dangerous, all right--to everybody but +Glenister." + +"What do you mean?" + +"She had been across the Yukon to nurse a man with scurvy, and coming +back she was caught in the spring break-up. I wasn't there, but it +seems this Glenister got her ashore somehow when nobody else would +tackle the job. They were carried five miles down-stream in the +ice-pack before he succeeded." + +"What happened then?" + +"She fell in love with him, of course." + +"And he worshipped her as madly as all the rest of you, I suppose," she +said, scornfully. + +"That's the peculiar part. She hypnotized him at first, but he ran +away, and I didn't hear of him again till I came to Nome. She followed +him, finally, and last week evened up her score. She paid him back for +saving her." + +"I haven't heard about it." + +He detailed the story of the gambling episode at the Northern saloon, +and concluded: "I'd like to have seen that 'turn,' for they say the +excitement was terrific. She was keeping cases, and at the finish +slammed her case-keeper shut and declared the bet off because she had +made a mistake. Of course they couldn't dispute her, and she stuck to +it. One of the by-standers told me she lied, though." + +"So, in addition to his other vices, Mr. Glenister is a reckless +gambler, is he?" said Helen, with heat. "I am proud to be indebted to +such a character. Truly this country breeds wonderful species." + +"There's where you're wrong," Struve chuckled. "He's never been known +to bet before." + +"Oh, I'm tired of these contradictions!" she cried, angrily. "Saloons, +gambling-halls, scandals, adventuresses! Ugh! I hate it! I HATE it! Why +did I ever come here?" + +"Those things are a part of every new country. They were about all we +had till this year. But it is women like you that we fellows need, Miss +Helen. You can help us a lot." She did not like the way he was looking +at her, and remembered that her uncle was up-stairs and asleep. + +"I must ask you to excuse me now, for it's late and I am very tired." + +The clock showed half-past twelve, so, after letting him out, she +extinguished the light and dragged herself wearily up to her room. She +removed her outer garments and threw over her bare shoulders a negligee +of many flounces and bewildering, clinging looseness. As she took down +her heavy braids, the story of Cherry Malotte returned to her +tormentingly. So Glenister had saved HER life also at risk of his own. +What a very gallant cavalier he was, to be sure! He should bear a coat +of arms--a dragon, an armed knight, and a fainting maiden. "I succor +ladies in distress--handsome ones," should be the motto on his shield. +"The handsomest woman in the North," Struve had said. She raised her +eyes to the glass and made a mouth at the petulant, tired reflection +there. She pictured Glenister leaping from floe to floe with the hungry +river surging and snapping at his feet, while the cheers of the crowd +on shore gave heart to the girl crouching out there. She could see him +snatch her up and fight his way back to safety over the plunging +ice-cakes with death dragging at his heels. What a strong embrace he +had! At this she blushed and realized with a shock that while she was +mooning that very man might be fighting hand to hand in the darkness of +a mountain-gorge with the man she was going to marry. + +A moment later some one mounted the front steps below and knocked +sharply. Truly this was a night of alarms. Would people never cease +coming? She was worn out, but at the thought of the tragedy abroad and +the sick old man sleeping near by, she lit a candle and slipped +down-stairs to avoid disturbing him. Doubtless it was some message from +McNamara, she thought, as she unchained the door. + +As she opened it, she fell back amazed while it swung wide and the +candle flame flickered and sputtered in the night air. Roy Glenister +stood there, grim and determined, his soft, white Stetson pulled low, +his trousers tucked into tan half-boots, in his hand a Winchester +rifle. Beneath his corduroy coat she saw a loose cartridge-belt, yellow +with shells, and the nickelled flash of a revolver. Without invitation +he strode across the threshold, closing the door behind him. + +"Miss Chester, you and the Judge must dress quickly and come with me." + +"I don't understand." + +"The Vigilantes are on their way here to hang him. Come with me to my +house where I can protect you." + +She laid a trembling hand on her bosom and the color died out of her +face, then at a slight noise above they both looked up to see Judge +Stillman leaning far over the banister. He had wrapped himself in a +dressing-gown and now gripped the rail convulsively, while his features +were blanched to the color of putty and his eyes were wide with terror, +though puffed and swollen from sleep. His lips moved in a vain endeavor +to speak. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +VIGILANTES + + +On the morning after the episode in the Northern, Glenister awoke under +a weight of discouragement and desolation. The past twenty-four hours +with their manifold experiences seemed distant and unreal. At breakfast +he was ashamed to tell Dextry of the gambling debauch, for he had dealt +treacherously with the old man in risking half of the mine, even though +they had agreed that either might do as he chose with his interest, +regardless of the other. It all seemed like a nightmare, those tense +moments when he lay above the receiver's office and felt his belief in +the one woman slipping away, the frenzied thirst which Cherry Malotte +had checked, the senseless, unreasoning lust for play that possessed +him later. This lapse was the last stand of his old, untamed instincts. +The embers of revolt in him were dead. He felt that he would never +again lose mastery of himself, that his passions would never best him +hereafter. + +Dextry spoke. "We had a meeting of the 'Stranglers' last night." He +always spoke of the Vigilantes in that way, because of his early +Western training. + +"What was done?" + +"They decided to act quick and do any odd jobs of lynchin', +claim-jumpin', or such as needs doin'. There's a lot of law sharps and +storekeepers in the bunch who figure McNamara's gang will wipe them off +the map next." + +"It was bound to come to this." + +"They talked of ejectin' the receiver's men and puttin' all us fellers +back on our mines." + +"Good. How many can we count on to help us?" + +"About sixty. We've kept the number down, and only taken men with so +much property that they'll have to keep their mouths shut." + +"I wish we might engineer some kind of an encounter with the court +crowd and create such an uproar that it would reach Washington. +Everything else has failed, and our last chance seems to be for the +government to step in; that is, unless Bill Wheaton can do something +with the California courts." + +"I don't count on him. McNamara don't care for California courts no +more 'n he would for a boy with a pea-shooter--he's got too much pull +at headquarters. If the 'Stranglers' don't do no good, we'd better go +in an' clean out the bunch like we was killin' snakes. If that fails, +I'm goin' out to the States an' be a doctor." + +"A doctor? What for?" + +"I read somewhere that in the United States every year there is forty +million gallons of whiskey used for medical purposes." + +Glenister laughed. "Speaking of whiskey, Dex--I notice that you've been +drinking pretty hard of late--that is, hard for you." + +The old man shook his head. "You're mistaken. It ain't hard for me." + +"Well, hard or easy, you'd better cut it out." + +It was some time later that one of the detectives employed by the +Swedes met Glenister on Front Street, and by an almost imperceptible +sign signified his desire to speak with him. When they were alone he +said: + +"You're being shadowed." + +"I've known that for a long time." + +"The district-attorney has put on some new men. I've fixed the woman +who rooms next to him, and through her I've got a line on some of them, +but I haven't spotted them all. They're bad ones--'up-river' men +mostly--remnants of Soapy Smith's Skagway gang. They won't stop at +anything." + +"Thank you--I'll keep my eyes open." + +A few nights after, Glenister had reason to recall the words of the +sleuth and to realize that the game was growing close and desperate. To +reach his cabin, which sat on the outskirts of the town, he ordinarily +followed one of the plank walks which wound through the confusion of +tents, warehouses, and cottages lying back of the two principal streets +along the water front. This part of the city was not laid out in +rectangular blocks, for in the early rush the first-comers had seized +whatever pieces of ground they found vacant and erected thereon some +kind of buildings to make good their titles. There resulted a formless +jumble of huts, cabins, and sheds, penetrated by no cross streets and +quite unlighted. At night, one leaving the illuminated portion of the +town found this darkness intensified. + +Glenister knew his course so well that he could have walked it +blindfolded. Nearing a corner of the warehouse this evening he +remembered that the planking at this point was torn up, so, to avoid +the mud, he leaped lightly across. Simultaneously with his jump he +detected a movement in the shadows that banked the wall at his elbow +and saw the flaming spurt of a revolver-shot. The man had crouched +behind the building and was so close that it seemed impossible to miss. +Glenister fell heavily upon his side and the thought flashed over him, +"McNamara's thugs have shot me." + +His assailant leaped out from his hiding-place and ran down the walk, +the sound of his quick, soft footfalls thudding faintly out into the +silence. The young man felt no pain, however, so scrambled to his feet, +felt himself over with care, and then swore roundly. He was untouched; +the other had missed him cleanly. The report, coming while he was in +the act of leaping, had startled him so that he had lost his balance, +slipped upon the wet boards, and fallen. His assailant was lost in the +darkness before he could rise. Pursuit was out of the question, so he +continued homeward, considerably shaken, and related the incident to +Dextry. + +"You think it was some of McNamara's work, eh?" Dextry inquired when he +had finished. + +"Of course. Didn't the detective warn me to-day?" + +Dextry shook his head. "It don't seem like the game is that far along +yet. The time is coming when we'll go to the mat with them people, but +they've got the aige on us now, so what could they gain by putting you +away? I don't believe it's them, but whoever it is, you'd better be +careful or you'll be got." + +"Suppose we come home together after this," Roy suggested, and they +arranged to do so, realizing that danger lurked in the dark corners and +that it was in some such lonely spot that the deed would be tried +again. They experienced no trouble for a time, though on nearing their +cabin one night the younger man fancied that he saw a shadow glide away +from its vicinity and out into the blackness of the tundra, as though +some one had stood at his very door waiting for him, then became +frightened at the two figures approaching. Dextry had not observed it, +however, and Glenister was not positive himself, but it served to give +him the uncanny feeling that some determined, unscrupulous force was +bent on his destruction. He determined to go nowhere unarmed. + +A few evenings later he went home early and was busied in writing when +Dextry came in about ten o'clock. The old miner hung up his coat before +speaking, lit a cigarette, inhaled deeply, then, amid mouthfuls of +smoke, began: + +"I had my own toes over the edge to-night. I was mistook for you, which +compliment I don't aim to have repeated." + +Glenister questioned him eagerly. + +"We're about the same height an' these hats of ours are alike. Just as +I come by that lumber-pile down yonder, a man hopped out an throwed a +'gat' under my nose. He was quicker than light, and near blowed my +skelp into the next block before he saw who I was; then he dropped his +weepon and said: + +"'My mistake. Go on.' I accepted his apology." + +"Could you see who he was?" + +"Sure. Guess." + +"I can't." + +"It was the Bronco Kid." + +"Lord!" ejaculated Glenister. "Do you think he's after me?" + +"He ain't after nobody else, an', take my word for it, it's got nothin' +to do with McNamara nor that gamblin' row. He's too game for that. +There's some other reason." + +This was the first mention Dextry had made of the night at the Northern. + +"I don't know why he should have it in for me--I never did him any +favors," Glenister remarked, cynically. + +"Well, you watch out, anyhow. I'd sooner face McNamara an' all the +crooks he can hire than that gambler." + +During the next few days Roy undertook to meet the proprietor of the +Northern face to face, but the Kid had vanished completely from his +haunts. He was not in his gambling-hall at night nor on the street by +day. The young man was still looking for him on the evening of the +dance at the hotel, when he chanced to meet one of the Vigilantes, who +inquired of him: + +"Aren't you late for the meeting?" + +"What meeting?" + +After seeing that they were alone, the other stated: + +"There's an assembly to-night at eleven o'clock. Something important, I +think. I supposed, of course, you knew about it." + +"It's strange I wasn't notified," said Roy. "It's probably an +oversight. Ill go along with you." + +Together they crossed the river to the less frequented part of town and +knocked at the door of a large, unlighted warehouse, flanked by a high +board fence. The building faced the street, but was enclosed on the +other three sides by this ten-foot wall, inside of which were stored +large quantities of coal and lumber. After some delay they were +admitted, and, passing down through the dim-lit, high-banked lanes of +merchandise, came to the rear room, where they were admitted again. +This compartment had been fitted up for the warm storage of perishable +goods during the cold weather, and, being without windows, made an +ideal place for clandestine gatherings. + +Glenister was astonished to find every man of the organization present, +including Dextry, whom he supposed to have gone home an hour since. +Evidently a discussion had been in progress, for a chairman was +presiding, and the boxes, kegs, and bales of goods had been shoved back +against the walls for seats. On these were ranged the threescore men of +the "Stranglers," their serious faces lighted imperfectly by scattered +lanterns. A certain constraint seized them upon Glenister's entrance; +the chairman was embarrassed. It was but momentary, however. Glenister +himself felt that tragedy was in the air, for it showed in the men's +attitudes and spoke eloquently from their strained faces. He was about +to question the man next to him when the presiding officer continued: + +"We will assemble here quietly with our arms at one o'clock. And let me +caution you again not to talk or do anything to scare the birds away." + +Glenister arose. "I came late, Mr. Chairman, so I missed hearing your +plan. I gather that you're out for business, however, and I want to be +in it. May I ask what is on foot?" + +"Certainly. Things have reached such a pass that moderate means are +useless. We have decided to act, and act quickly. We have exhausted +every legal resource and now we're going to stamp out this gang of +robbers in our own way. We will get together in an hour, divide into +three groups of twenty men, each with a leader, then go to the houses +of McNamara, Stillman, and Voorhees, take them prisoners, and--" He +waved his hand in a large gesture. + +Glenister made no answer for a moment, while the crowd watched him +intently. + +"You have discussed this fully?" he asked. + +"We have. It has been voted on, and we're unanimous." + +"My friends, when I stepped into this room just now I felt that I +wasn't wanted. Why, I don't know, because I have had more to do with +organizing this movement than any of you, and because I have suffered +just as much as the rest. I want to know if I was omitted from this +meeting intentionally." + +"This is an embarrassing position to put me in," said the chairman, +gravely. "But I shall answer as spokesman for these men if they wish." + +"Yes. Go ahead," said those around the room. + +"We don't question your loyalty, Mr. Glenister, but we didn't ask you +to this meeting because we know your attitude--perhaps I'd better say +sentiment--regarding Judge Stillman's niece--er--family. It has come to +us from various sources that you have been affected to the prejudice of +your own and your partner's interest. Now, there isn't going to be any +sentiment in the affairs of the Vigilantes. We are going to do justice, +and we thought the simplest way was to ignore you in this matter and +spare all discussion and hard feeling in every quarter." + +"It's a lie!" shouted the young man, hoarsely. "A damned lie! You +wouldn't let me in for fear I'd kick, eh? Well, you were right. I will +kick. You've hinted about my feelings for Miss Chester. Let me tell you +that she is engaged to marry McNamara, and that she's nothing to me. +Now, then, let me tell you, further, that you won't break into her +house and hang her uncle, even if he is a reprobate. No, sir! This +isn't the time for violence of that sort--we'll win without it. If we +can't, let's fight like men, and not hunt in a pack like wolves. If you +want to do something, put us back on our mines and help us hold them, +but, for God's sake, don't descend to assassination and the tactics of +the Mafia!" + +"We knew you would make that kind of a talk," said the speaker, while +the rest murmured grudgingly. One of them spoke up. + +"We've talked this over in cold blood, Glenister, and it's a question +of their lives or our liberty. The law don't enter into it." + +"That's right," echoed another at his elbow. "We can't seize the +claims, because McNamara's got soldiers to back him up. They'd shoot us +down. You ought to be the last one to object." + +He saw that dispute was futile. Determination was stamped on their +faces too plainly for mistake, and his argument had no more effect on +them than had the pale rays of the lantern beside him, yet he continued: + +"I don't deny that McNamara deserves lynching, but Stillman doesn't. +He's a weak old man"--some one laughed derisively--"and there's a woman +in the house. He's all she has in the world to depend upon, and you +would have to kill her to get at him. If you MUST follow this course, +take the others, but leave him alone." + +They only shook their heads, while several pushed by him even as he +spoke. "We're going to distribute our favors equal," said a man as he +left. They were actuated by what they called justice, and he could not +sway them. The life and welfare of the North were in their hands, as +they thought, and there was not one to hesitate. Glenister implored the +chairman, but the man answered him: + +"It's too late for further discussion, and let me remind you of your +promise. You're bound by every obligation that exists for an honorable +man--" + +"Oh, don't think that I'll give the snap away!" said the other; "but I +warn you again not to enter Stillman's house." + +He followed out into the night to find that Dextry had disappeared, +evidently wishing to avoid argument. Roy had seen signs of unrest +beneath the prospector's restraint during the past few days, and +indications of a fierce hunger to vent his spleen on the men who had +robbed him of his most sacred rights. He was of an intolerant, +vindictive nature that would go to any length for vengeance. +Retribution was part of his creed. + +On his way home, the young man looked at his watch, to find that he had +but an hour to determine his course. Instinct prompted him to join his +friends and to even the score with the men who had injured him so +bitterly, for, measured by standards of the frontier, they were pirates +with their lives forfeit. Yet, he could not countenance this step. If +only the Vigilantes would be content with making an example--but he +knew they would not. The blood hunger of a mob is easy to whet and hard +to hold. McNamara would resist, as would Voorhees and the +district-attorney, then there would be bloodshed, riot, chaos. The +soldiers would be called out and martial law declared, the streets +would become skirmish-grounds. The Vigilantes would rout them without +question, for every citizen of the North would rally to their aid, and +such men could not be stopped. The Judge would go down with the rest of +the ring, and what would happen to--her? + +He took down his Winchester, oiled and cleaned it, then buckled on a +belt of cartridges. Still he wrestled with himself. He felt that he was +being ground between his loyalty to the Vigilantes and his own +conscience. The girl was one of the gang, he reasoned--she had schemed +with them to betray him through his love, and she was pledged to the +one man in the world whom he hated with fanatical fury. Why should he +think of her in this hour? Six months back he would have looked with +jealous eyes upon the right to lead the Vigilantes, but this change +that had mastered him--what was it? Not cowardice, nor caution. No. +Yet, being intangible, it was none the less marked, as his friends had +shown him an hour since. + +He slipped out into the night. The mob might do as it pleased +elsewhere, but no man should enter her house. He found a light shining +from her parlor window, and, noting the shade up a few inches, stole +close. Peering through, he discovered Struve and Helen talking. He +slunk back into the shadows and remained hidden for a considerable time +after the lawyer left, for the dancers were returning from the hotel +and passed close by. When the last group had chattered away down the +street, he returned to the front of the house and, mounting the steps, +knocked sharply. As Helen appeared at the door, he stepped inside and +closed it after him. + +The girl's hair lay upon her neck and shoulders in tumbled brown +masses, while her breast heaved tumultuously at the sudden, grim sight +of him. She stepped back against the wall, her wondrous, deep, gray +eyes wide and troubled, the blush of modesty struggling with the pallor +of dismay. + +The picture pained him like a knife-thrust. This girl was for his +bitterest enemy--no hope of her was for him. He forgot for a moment +that she was false and plotting, then, recalling it, spoke as roughly +as he might and stated his errand. Then the old man had appeared on the +stairs above, speechless with fright at what he overheard. It was +evident that his nerves, so sorely strained by the events of the past +week, were now snapped utterly. A human soul naked and panic-stricken +is no pleasant sight, so Glenister dropped his eyes and addressed the +girl again: + +"Don't take anything with you. Just dress and come with me." + +The creature on the stairs above stammered and stuttered, inquiringly: + +"What outrage is this, Mr. Glenister?" + +"The people of Nome are up in arms, and I've come to save you. Don't +stop to argue." He spoke impatiently. + +"Is this some r-ruse to get me into your power?" + +"Uncle Arthur!" exclaimed the girl, sharply. Her eyes met Glenister's +and begged him to take no offence. + +"I don't understand this atrocity. They must be mad!" wailed the Judge. +"You run over to the jail, Mr. Glenister, and tell Voorhees to hurry +guards here to protect me. Helen, 'phone to the military post and give +the alarm. Tell them the soldiers must come at once." + +"Hold on!" said Glenister. "There's no use of doing that--the wires are +cut; and I won't notify Voorhees--he can take care of himself. I came +to help you, and if you want to escape you'll stop talking and hurry +up." + +"I don't know what to do," said Stillman, torn by terror and +indecision. "You wouldn't hurt an old man, would you? Wait! I'll be +down in a minute." + +He scrambled up the stairs, tripping on his robe, seemingly forgetting +his niece till she called up to him, sharply: + +"Stop, Uncle Arthur! You mustn't RUN AWAY." She stood erect and +determined, "You wouldn't do THAT, would you? This is our house. You +represent the law and the dignity of the government. You mustn't fear a +mob of ruffians. We will stay here and meet them, of course." + +"Good Lord!" said Glenister. "That's madness. These men aren't +ruffians; they are the best citizens of Nome. You don't realize that +this is Alaska and that they have sworn to wipe out McNamara's gang. +Come along." + +"Thank you for your good intentions," she said, "but we have done +nothing to run away from. We will get ready to meet these cowards. You +had better go or they will find you here." + +She moved up the stairs, and, taking the Judge by the arm, led him with +her. Of a sudden she had assumed control of the situation +unfalteringly, and both men felt the impossibility of thwarting her. +Pausing at the top, she turned and looked down. + +"We are grateful for your efforts just the same. Good-night." + +"Oh, I'm not going," said the young man. "If you stick I'll do the +same." He made the rounds of the first-floor rooms, locking doors and +windows. As a place of defence it was hopeless, and he saw that he +would have to make his stand up-stairs. When sufficient time had +elapsed he called up to Helen: + +"May I come?" + +"Yes," she replied. So he ascended, to find Stillman in the hall, half +clothed and cowering, while by the light from the front chamber he saw +her finishing her toilet. + +"Won't you come with me--it's our last chance?" She only shook her +head. "Well, then, put out the light. I'll stand at that front window, +and when my eyes get used to the darkness I'll be able to see them +before they reach the gate." + +She did as directed, taking her place beside him at the opening, while +the Judge crept in and sat upon the bed, his heavy breathing the only +sound in the room. The two young people stood so close beside each +other that the sweet scent of her person awoke in him an almost +irresistible longing. He forgot her treachery again, forgot that she +was another's, forgot all save that he loved her truly and purely, with +a love which was like an agony to him. Her shoulder brushed his arm; he +heard the soft rustling of her garment at her breast as she breathed. +Some one passed in the street, and she laid a hand upon him fearfully. +It was very cold, very tiny, and very soft, but he made no move to take +it. The moments dragged along, still, tense, interminable. Occasionally +she leaned towards him, and he stooped to catch her whispered words. At +such times her breath beat warm against his cheek, and he closed his +teeth stubbornly. Out in the night a wolfdog saddened the air, then +came the sound of others wrangling and snarling in a near-by corral. +This is a chickless land and no cock-crow breaks the midnight peace. +The suspense enhanced the Judge's perturbation till his chattering +teeth sounded like castanets. Now and then he groaned. + +The watchers had lost track of time when their strained eyes detected +dark blots materializing out of the shadows. + +"There they come," whispered Glenister, forcing her back from the +aperture; but she would not be denied, and returned to his side. + +As the foremost figures reached the gate, Roy leaned forth and spoke, +not loudly, but in tones that sliced through the silence, sharp, clean, +and without warning. + +"Halt! Don't come inside the fence." There was an instant's confusion; +then, before the men beneath had time to answer or take action, he +continued: "This is Roy Glenister talking. I told you not to molest +these people and I warn you again. We're ready for you." + +The leader spoke. "You're a traitor, Glenister." + +He winced. "Perhaps I am. You betrayed me first, 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. All we want is the Judge. We won't hang him, not +if he'll wear this suit we brought along. He needn't be afraid. Tar is +good for the skin." + +"Oh, my God!" groaned the limb of the law. + +Suddenly a man came running down the planked pavement and into the +group. + +"McNamara's gone, and so's the marshal and the rest," he panted. There +was a moment's silence, and then the leader growled to his men, +"Scatter out and rush the house, boys." He raised his voice to the man +in the window. "This is your work--you damned turncoat." His followers +melted away to right and left, vaulted the fence, and dodged into the +shelter of the walls. The click, click of Glenister's Winchester +sounded through the room while the sweat stood out on him. He wondered +if he could do this deed, if he could really fire on these people. He +wondered if his muscles would not wither and paralyze before they +obeyed his command. + +Helen crowded past him and, leaning half out of the opening, called +loudly, her voice ringing clear and true: + +"Wait! Wait a moment. I have something to say. Mr. Glenister didn't +warn them. They thought you were going to attack the mines and so they +rode out there before midnight. I am telling you the truth, really. +They left hours ago." It was the first sign she had made, and they +recognized her to a man. + +There were uncertain mutterings below till a new man raised his voice. +Both Roy and Helen recognised Dextry. + +"Boys, we've overplayed. We don't want THESE people--McNamara's our +meat. Old bald-face up yonder has to do what he's told, and I'm ag'in' +this twenty-to-one midnight work. I'm goin' home." There were some +whisperings, then the original spokesman called for Judge Stillman. The +old man tottered to the window, a palsied, terror-stricken object. The +girl was glad he could not be seen from below. + +"We won't hurt you this time, Judge, but you've gone far enough. We'll +give you another chance, then, if you don't make good, we'll stretch +you to a lamp-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 narrow a margin 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 support +the Northland offered him. Henceforth he was a renegade, a pariah, +hated alike by both factions. He purposely avoided sight of Stillman +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 US!" cried Roy, with a break in his voice. "Do you think I +sacrificed my honor, betrayed my friends, killed my last hope, +ostracized myself, for 'US'? 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 Eskimo any longer--I'm a man!" + +"You've always been that," she said. "I don't understand as much about +this affair as I want to, and it seems to me that no one will explain +it. I'm very stupid, I guess; but won't you come back to-morrow and +tell it to me?" + +"No," he said, roughly. "You're not of my people. McNamara and his are +no friends of mine, and I'm no friend of theirs." He was half down the +steps before she said, softly: + +"Good-night, and God bless you--friend." + +She returned to the Judge, who was in a pitiable state, and for a long +time she labored to soothe him as though he were a child. She undertook +to question him about the things which lay uppermost in her mind and +which this night had half revealed, but he became fretful and irritated +at the mention of mines and mining. She sat beside his bed till he +dozed off, puzzling to discover what lay behind the hints she had +heard, till her brain and body matched in absolute weariness. The +reflex of the day's excitement sapped her strength till she could +barely creep to her own couch, where she rolled and sighed--too tired +to sleep at once. She awoke finally, with one last nervous flicker, +before complete oblivion took her. A sentence was on her mind--it +almost seemed as though she had spoken it aloud: + +"The handsomest woman in the North...but Glenister ran away." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +IN WHICH THE TRUTH BEGINS TO BARE ITSELF + + +It was nearly noon of the next day when Helen awoke to find that +McNamara had ridden in from the Creek and stopped for breakfast with +the Judge. He had asked for her, but on hearing the tale of the night's +adventure would not allow her to be disturbed. Later, he and the Judge +had gone away together. + +Although her judgment approved the step she had contemplated the night +before, still the girl now felt a strange reluctance to meet McNamara. +It is true that she knew no ill of him, except that implied in the +accusations of certain embittered men; and she was aware that every +strong and aggressive character makes enemies in direct proportionate +the qualities which lend him greatness. Nevertheless, she was aware of +an inner conflict that she had not foreseen. This man who so +confidently believed that she would marry him did not dominate her +consciousness. + +She had ridden much of late, taking long, solitary gallops beside the +shimmering sea that she loved so well, or up the winding valleys into +the foot-hills where echoed the roar of swift waters or glinted the +flash of shovel blades. This morning her horse was lame, so she +determined to walk. In her early rambles she had looked timidly askance +at the rough men she met till she discovered their genuine respect and +courtesy. The most unkempt among them were often college-bred, +although, for that matter, the roughest of the miners showed abundant +consideration for a woman. So she was glad to allow the men to talk to +her with the fine freedom inspired by the new country and its wide +spaces. The wilderness breeds a chivalry all its own. + +Thus there seemed to be no danger abroad, though they had told the girl +of mad dogs which roamed the city, explaining that the hot weather +affects powerfully the thick-coated, shaggy "malamoots." This is the +land of the dog, and whereas in winter his lot is to labor and shiver +and starve, in summer he loafs, fights, grows fat, and runs mad with +the heat. + +Helen walked far and, returning, chose an unfamiliar course through the +outskirts of the town to avoid meeting any of the women she knew, +because of that vivid memory of the night before. As she walked swiftly +along she thought that she heard faint cries far behind her. Looking +up, she noted that it was a lonely, barren quarter and that the only +figure in sight was a woman some distance away. A few paces farther on +the shouts recurred--more plainly this time, and a gunshot sounded. +Glancing back, she saw several men running, one bearing a smoking +revolver, and heard, nearer still, the snarling hubbub of fighting +dogs. In a flash the girl's curiosity became horror, for, as she +watched, one of the dogs made a sudden dash through the now subdued +group of animals and ran swiftly along the planking on which she stood. +It was a handsome specimen of the Eskimo malamoot--tall, gray, and +coated like a wolf, with the speed, strength, and cunning of its +cousin. Its head hung low and swung from side to side as it trotted, +the motion flecking foam and slaver. The creature had scattered the +pack, and now, swift, menacing, relentless, was coming towards Helen. +There was no shelter near, no fence, no house, save the distant one +towards which the other woman was making her way. The men, too far away +to protect her, shouted hoarse warnings. + +Helen did 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. Yes--there was the quick patter of his pads close up behind +her; her knees weakened; the sheltering door was yet some yards away. +But a horse, tethered near the walk, reared and snorted as the flying +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, weak and faint, to reach the door. She wrenched at the knob. +It was locked. As she turned hopelessly away, she saw that the other +woman was directly behind her, and was, in her turn, awaiting the mad +animal's onslaught, but calmly, a tiny revolver in her hand. + +"Shoot!" screamed Helen. "Why don't you shoot?" The little gun spoke, +and the dog spun around, snarling and yelping. The woman fired several +times more before it lay still, and then 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. + +"How well you shoot!" she gasped. Her eyes were on the gray bundle +whose death agonies had thrust it almost to her feet. The men had run +up and were talking excitedly, but after a word with them the woman +turned to Helen. + +"You must come in for a moment and recover yourself," she said, and led +her inside. + +It was a cosey room in which the girl found herself--more than +that--luxurious. There was a piano with scattered music, and many of +the pretty, feminine things that Helen had not seen since leaving home. +The hostess had stepped behind some curtains for an instant and was +talking to her from the next room. + +"That is the third mad dog I have seen this month. Hydrophobia is +becoming a habit in this neighborhood." She returned, bearing a tiny +silver tray with decanter and glasses. + +"You're all unstrung, but this brandy will help you--if you don't +object to a swallow of it. Then come right in here and lie down for a +moment and you'll be all right." She spoke with such genuine kindness +and sympathy that Helen flashed a grateful glance at her. She was tall, +slender, and with a peculiar undulating suggestion in her movements, as +though she had been bred to the clinging folds of silken garments. +Helen watched the charm of her smile, the friendly solicitude of her +expression, and felt her heart warm towards this one kind woman in Nome. + +"You're very good," she answered; "but I'm all right now. I was badly +frightened. It was wonderful, your saving me." She followed the other's +graceful motion as she placed her burden on the table, and in doing so +gazed squarely at a photograph of Roy Glenister. + +"Oh--!" Helen exclaimed, then paused as it flashed over her who this +girl was. She looked at her quickly. Yes, probably men would consider +the woman beautiful, with that smile. The revelation came with a shock, +and she arose, trying to mask her confusion. + +"Thank you so much for your kindness. I'm quite myself now and I must +go." + +Her change of face could not escape the quick perceptions of one +schooled by experience in the slights of her sex. Times without number +Cherry Malotte had marked that subtle, scornful change in other women, +and reviled herself for heeding it. But in some way this girl's manner +hurt her worst of all. She betrayed no sign, however, save a widening +of the eyes and a certain fixity of smile as she answered: + +"I wish you would stay until you are rested, Miss--" She paused with +out-stretched hand. + +"Chester. My name is Helen Chester. I'm Judge Stillman's niece," +hurried the other, in embarrassment. + +Cherry Malotte withdrew her proffered hand and her face grew hard and +hateful. + +"Oh! So you are Miss Chester--and I--saved you!" She laughed harshly. + +Helen strove for calmness. "I'm sorry you feel that way," she said, +coolly. "I appreciate your service to me." She moved towards the door. + +"Wait a moment. I want to talk to you." Then, as Helen paid no heed, +the woman burst out, bitterly: "Oh, don't be afraid! I know you are +committing an unpardonable sin by talking to me, but no one will see +you, and in your code the crime lies in being discovered. Therefore, +you're quite safe. That's what makes me an outcast--I was found out. I +want you to know, however, that, bad as I am, I'm better than you, for +I'm loyal to those that like me, and I don't betray my friends." + +"I don't pretend to understand you," said Helen, coldly. + +"Oh yes, you do! Don't assume such innocence. Of course it's your role, +but you can't play it with me." She stepped in front of her visitor, +placing her back against the door, while her face was bitter and +mocking. "The little service I did you just now entitles me to a +privilege, I suppose, and I'm going to take advantage of it to tell you +how badly your mask fits. Dreadfully rude of me, isn't it? You're in +with a fine lot of crooks, and I admire the way you've done your share +of the dirty work, but when you assume these scandalized, supervirtuous +airs it offends me." + +"Let me out!" + +"I've done bad things," Cherry continued, unheedingly, "but I was +forced into them, usually, and I never, deliberately, tried to wreck a +man's life just for his money." + +"What do you mean by saying that I have betrayed my friends and wrecked +anybody's life?" Helen demanded, hotly. + +"Bah! I had you sized up at the start, but Roy couldn't see it. Then +Struve told me what I hadn't guessed. A bottle of wine, a woman, and +that fool will tell all he knows. It's a great game McNamara's playing +and he did well to get you in on it, for you're clever, your nerve is +good, and your make-up is great for the part. I ought to know, for I've +turned a few tricks myself. You'll pardon this little burst of +feeling--professional pique. I'm jealous of your ability, that's all. +However, now that you realize we're in the same class, don't look down +on me hereafter." She opened the door and bowed her guest out with +elaborate mockery. + +Helen was too bewildered and humiliated to make much out of this +vicious and incoherent attack except the fact that Cherry Malotte +accused her of a part in this conspiracy which every one seemed to +believe existed. Here again was that hint of corruption which she +encountered on all sides. This might be merely a woman's jealousy--and +yet she said Struve had told her all about it--that a bottle of wine +and a pretty face would make the lawyer disclose everything. She could +believe it from what she knew and had heard of him. The feeling that +she was groping in the dark, that she was wrapped in a mysterious woof +of secrecy, came over her again as it had so often of late. If Struve +talked to that other woman, why wouldn't he talk to her? She paused, +changing her direction towards Front Street, revolving rapidly in her +mind as she went her course of action. Cherry Malotte believed her to +be an actress. Very well--she would prove her judgment right. + +She found Struve busy in his private office, but he leaped to his feet +on her entrance and came forward, offering her a chair. + +"Good-morning, Miss Helen. You have a fine color, considering the night +you passed. The Judge told me all about the affair; and let me state +that you're the pluckiest girl I know." + +She smiled grimly at the thought of what made her cheeks glow, and +languidly loosened the buttons of her jacket. + +"I suppose you're very busy, you lawyer man?" she inquired. + +"Yes--but not too busy to attend to anything you want." + +"Oh, I didn't come on business," she said, lightly. "I was out walking +and merely sauntered in." + +"Well, I appreciate that all the more," he said, in an altered tone, +twisting his chair about. "I'm more than delighted." She judged she was +getting on well from the way his professionalism had dropped off. + +"Yes, I get tired of talking to uncle and Mr. McNamara. They treat me +as though I were a little girl." + +"When do you take the fatal step?" + +"What step do you mean?" + +"Your marriage. When does it occur? You needn't hesitate," he added. +"McNamara told we about it a month ago." + +He felt his throat gingerly at the thought, but his eyes brightened +when she answered, lightly: + +"I think you are mistaken. He must have been joking." + +For some time she led him on adroitly, talking of many things, in a way +to make him wonder at her new and flippant humor. He had never dreamed +she could be like this, so tantalizingly close to familiarity, and yet +so maddeningly aloof and distant. He grew bolder in his speech. + +"How are things going with us?" she questioned, as his warmth grew +pronounced. "Uncle won't talk and Mr. McNamara is as close-mouthed as +can be, lately." + +He looked at her quickly. "In what respect?" + +She summoned up her courage and walked past the ragged edge of +uncertainty. + +"Now, don't you try to keep me in short dresses, too. It's getting +wearisome. I've done my part and I want to know what the rest of you +are doing." She was prepared for any answer. + +"What do you want to know?" he asked, cautiously. + +"Everything. Don't you think I can hear what people are saying?" + +"Oh, that's it! Well, don't you pay any attention to what people say." + +She recognized her mistake and continued, hurriedly: + +"Why shouldn't I? Aren't we all in this together? I object to being +used and then discarded. I think I'm entitled to know how the scheme is +working. Don't you think I can keep my mouth shut?" + +"Of course," he laughed, trying to change the subject of their talk; +but she arose and leaned against the desk near him, vowing that she +would not leave the office without piercing some part of this mystery. +His manner strengthened her suspicion that there WAS something behind +it all. This dissipated, brilliant creature knew the situation +thoroughly; and yet, though swayed by her efforts, he remained chained +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." + +"Give, give, give," said Struve, cynically. "That's always the woman's +cry. Give me this--give me that. Selfish sex! Why don't you offer +something in return? Men are traders, women usurers. You are curious, +hence miserable. I can help you, therefore I should, do it for a smile. +You ask me to break my promises and risk my honor on your caprice. +Well, that's woman-like, and I'll do it. I'll put myself in your power, +but I won't do it gratis. No, we'll trade." + +"It isn't curiosity," she denied, indignantly. "It is my due." + +"No; you've heard the common talk and grown suspicious, that's all. You +think I know something that will throw a new light or a new shadow on +everything you have in the world, and you're worked up to such a +condition that you can't take your own people's word; and, on the other +hand, you can't go to strangers, so you come to me. Suppose I told you +I had the papers you brought to me last spring in that safe and that +they told the whole story--whether your uncle is unimpeachable or +whether he deserved hanging by that mob. What would you do, eh? What +would you give to see them? Well, they're there and ready to speak for +themselves. If you're a woman you won't rest till you've seen them. +Will you trade?" + +"Yes, yes! Give them to me," she cried, eagerly, at which a wave of +crimson rushed up to his eyes and he rose abruptly from his chair. He +made towards her, but she retreated to the wall, pale and wide-eyed. + +"Can't you see," she flung at him, "that I MUST know?" + +He paused. "Of course I can, but I want a kiss to bind the bargain--to +apply on account." He reached for her hand with his own hot one, but +she pushed him away and slipped past him towards the door. + +"Suit yourself," said he, "but if I'm not mistaken, you'll never rest +till you've seen those papers. I've studied you, and I'll place a bet +that you can't marry McNamara nor look your uncle in the eye till you +know the truth. You might do either if you KNEW them to be crooks, but +you couldn't if you only suspected it--that's the woman. When you get +ready, come back; I'll show you proof, because I don't claim to be +anything but what I am--Wilton Struve, bargainer of some mean ability. +When they come to inscribe my headstone I hope they can carve thereon +with truth, 'He got value received.'" + +"You're a panther," she said, loathingly. + +"Graceful and elegant brute, that," he laughed. "Affectionate and full +of play, but with sharp teeth and sharper claws. To follow out the +idea, which pleases me, I believe the creature owes no loyalty to its +fellows and hunts alone. Now, when you've followed this conspiracy out +and placed the blame where it belongs, won't you come and tell me about +it? That door leads into an outer hall which opens into the street. No +one will see you come or go." + +As she hurried away she wondered dazedly why she had stayed to listen +so long. What a monster he was! His meaning was plain, had always been +so from the first day he laid eyes upon her, and he was utterly +conscienceless. She had known all this; and yet, in her proud, youthful +confidence, and in her need, every hour more desperate and urgent, to +know the truth, she had dared risk herself with him. Withal, the man +was shrewd and observant and had divined her mental condition with +remarkable sagacity. She had failed with him; but the girl now knew +that she could never rest till she found an answer to her questions. +She MUST kill this suspicion that ate into her so. She thought tenderly +of her uncle's goodness to her, clung with despairing faith to the last +of her kin. The blood ties of the Chesters were close and she felt in +dire need of that lost brother who was somewhere in this mysterious +land--need of some one in whom ran the strain that bound her to the +weak old man up yonder. There was McNamara; but how could he help her, +how much did she know of him, this man who was now within the darkest +shadow of her new suspicions? + +Feeling almost intolerably friendless and alone, weakened both by her +recent fright and by her encounter with Struve, Helen considered as +calmly as her emotions would allow and decided that this was no day in +which pride should figure. There were facts which it was imperative she +should know, and immediately; therefore, a few minutes later, she +knocked at the door of Cherry Malotte. When the girl appeared, Helen +was astonished to see that she had been crying. Tears burn hottest and +leave plainest trace in eyes where they come most seldom. The younger +girl could not guess the tumult of emotion the other had undergone +during her absence, the utter depths of self-abasement she had +fathomed, for the sight of Helen and her fresh young beauty had roused +in the adventuress a very tempest of bitterness and jealousy. Whether +Helen Chester were guilty or innocent, how could Glenister hesitate +between them? Cherry had asked herself. Now she stared at her visitor +inhospitably and without sign. + +"Will you let me come in?" Helen asked her. "I have something to say to +you." + +When they were inside, Cherry Malotte stood and gazed at her visitor +with inscrutable eyes and stony face. + +"It isn't easy for me to come back," Helen began, "but I felt that I +had to. If you can help me, I hope you will. You said that you knew a +great wrong was being done. I have suspected it, but I didn't know, and +I've been afraid to doubt my own people. You said I had a part in +it--that I'd betrayed my friends. Wait a moment," she hurried on, at +the other's cynical smile. "Won't you tell me what you know and what +you think my part has been? I've heard and seen things that make me +think--oh, they make me afraid to think, and yet I can't find the +TRUTH! You see, in a struggle like this, people will make all sorts of +allegations, but do they KNOW, have they any proof, that my uncle has +done wrong?" + +"Is that all?" + +"No. You said Struve told you the whole scheme. I went to him and tried +to cajole the story out of him, but--" She shivered at the memory. + +"What success did you have?" inquired 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 waif. Well, Miss Helen Chester, I don't +believe a word you've said and I'll tell you nothing. Go back to the +uncle and the rawboned lover who sent you, and inform them that I'll +speak when the time comes. They think I know too much, do they?--so +they've sent you to spy? Well, I'll make a compact. You play your game +and I'll play mine. Leave Glenister alone and I'll not tell on +McNamara. Is it a bargain?" + +"No, no, no! Can't you SEE? That's not it. All I want is the truth of +this thing." + +"Then go back to Struve and get it. He'll tell you; I won't. Drive your +bargain with him--you're able. You've fooled better men--now, see what +you can do with him." + +Helen left, realizing the futility of further effort, though she felt +that this woman did not really doubt her, but was scourged by jealousy +till she deliberately chose this attitude. + +Reaching her own house, she wrote two brief notes and called in her Jap +boy from the kitchen. + +"Fred, I want you to hunt up Mr. Glenister and give him this note. If +you can't find him, then look for his partner and give the other to +him." Fred vanished, to return in an hour with the letter for Dextry +still in his hand. + +"I don' catch dis feller," he explained. "Young mans say he gone, come +back mebbe one, two, 'leven days." + +"Did you deliver the one to Mr. Glenister?" + +"Yes, ma'am." + +"Was there an answer?" + +"Yes, ma'am." + +"Well, give it to me." + +The note read: + +"DEAR MISS CHESTER,--A discussion of a matter so familiar to us both as +the Anvil Creek controversy would be useless. If your inclination is +due to the incidents of last night, pray don't trouble yourself. We +don't want your pity. I am, + + "Your servant, + + "ROY GLENISTER." + +As she read the note, Judge Stillman entered, and it seemed to the girl +that he had aged a year for every hour in the last twelve, or else the +yellow afternoon light limned the sagging hollows and haggard lines of +his face most pitilessly. He showed in voice and manner the nervous +burden under which he labored. + +"Alec has told me about your engagement, and it lifts a terrible load +from me. I'm mighty glad you're going to marry him. He's a wonderful +man, and he's the only one who can save us." + +"What do you mean by that? What are we in danger of?" she inquired, +avoiding discussion of McNamara's announcement. + +"Why, that mob, of course. They'll come back. They said so. But Alec +can handle the commanding officer at the post, and, thanks to him, +we'll have soldiers guarding the house hereafter." + +"Why--they won't hurt us--" + +"Tut, tut! I know what I'm talking about. We're in worse danger now +than ever, and if we don't break up those Vigilantes there'll be +bloodshed--that's what. They're a menace, and they're trying to force +me off the bench so they can take the law into their own hands again. +That's what I want to see you about. They're planning to kill Alec and +me--so he says--and we've got to act quick to prevent murder. Now, this +young Glenister is one of them, and he knows who the rest are. Do you +think you could get him to talk?" + +"I don't think I quite understand you," said the girl, through +whitening lips. + +"Oh yes, you do. I want the names of the ring-leaders, so that I can +jail them. You can worm it out of that fellow if you try." + +Helen looked at the old man in a horror that at first was dumb. "You +ask this of me?" she demanded, hoarsely, at last. + +"Nonsense," he said, irritably. "This isn't any time for silly +scruples. It's life or death for me, maybe, and for Alec, too." He said +the last craftily, but she stormed at him: + +"It's infamous! You're asking me to betray the very man who saved us +not twelve hours ago. He risked his life for us." + +"It isn't treachery at all, it's protection. If we don't get them, +they'll get us. I wouldn't punish that young fellow, but I want the +others. Come, now, you've got to do it." + +But she said "No" firmly, and quietly went to her own room, where, +behind the locked door, she sat for a long time staring with unseeing +eyes, her hands tight clenched in her lap. At last she whispered: + +"I'm afraid it's true. I'm afraid it's true." + +She remained hidden during the dinner-hour, and pleaded a headache when +McNamara called in the early evening. Although she had not seen him +since he left her the night before, bearing her tacit promise to wed +him, yet how could she meet him now with the conviction growing on her +hourly that he was a master-rogue? She wrestled with the thought that +he and her uncle, her own uncle who stood in the place of a father, +were conspirators. And yet, at memory of the Judge's cold-blooded +request that she should turn traitress, her whole being was revolted. +If he could ask a thing like that, what other heartless, selfish act +might he not be capable of? All the long, solitary evening she kept her +room, but at last, feeling faint, slipped down-stairs in search of +Fred, for she had eaten nothing since her late breakfast. + +Voices reached her from the parlor, and as she came to the last step +she froze there in an attitude of listening. The first sentence she +heard through the close-drawn curtains banished all qualms at +eavesdropping. She stood for many breathless minutes drinking in the +plot that came to her plainly from within, then turned, gathered up her +skirts, and tiptoed back to her room. Here she made haste madly, +tearing off her house clothes and donning others. + +She pressed her face to the window and noted that the night was like a +close-hung velvet pall, without a star in sight. Nevertheless, she +wound a heavy veil about her hat and face before she extinguished the +light and stepped into the hall. Hearing McNamara's "Good-night" at the +front-door, she retreated again while her uncle slowly mounted the +stairs and paused before her chamber. He called her name softly, but +when she did not answer continued on to his own room. When he was +safely within she descended quietly, went out, and locked the +front-door behind her, placing the key in her bosom. She hurried now, +feeling her way through the thick gloom in a panic, while in her mind +was but one frightened thought: "I'll be too late. I'll be too late." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE DRIP OF WATER IN THE DARK + + +Even after Helen had been out for some time she could barely see +sufficiently to avoid collisions. The air, weighted by a low-hung roof +of clouds, was surcharged with the electric suspense of an impending +storm, and seemed to sigh and tremble at the hint of power in leash. It +was that pause before the conflict wherein the night laid finger upon +its lips. + +As the girl neared Glenister's cabin she was disappointed at seeing no +light there. She stumbled towards the door, only to utter a +half-strangled cry as two men stepped out of the gloom and seized her +roughly. Something cold and hard was thrust violently against her +cheek, forcing her head back and bruising her. She struggled and cried +out. + +"Hold on--it's a woman!" ejaculated the man who had pinioned her arms, +loosing his hold till only a hand remained on her shoulder. The other +lowered the weapon he had jammed to her face and peered closely. + +"Why, Miss Chester," he said. "What are you doing here? You came near +getting hurt." + +"I am bound for the Wilsons', but I must have lost my way in the +darkness. I think you have cut my face." She controlled her fright +firmly. + +"That's too bad," one said. "We mistook you for--" And the other broke +in, sharply, "You'd better run along. We're waiting for some one." + +Helen hastened back by the route she had come, knowing that there was +still time, and that as yet her uncle's emissaries had not laid hands +upon Glenister. She had overheard the Judge and McNamara plotting to +drag the town with a force of deputies, seizing not only her two +friends, but every man suspected of being a Vigilante. The victims were +to be jailed without bond, without reason, without justice, while the +mechanism of the court was to be juggled in order to hold them until +fall, if necessary. They had said that the officers were already busy, +so haste was a crying thing. She sped down the dark streets towards the +house of Cherry Malotte, but found no light nor answer to her knock. +She was distracted now, and knew not where to seek next among the +thousand spots which might hide the man she wanted. What chance had she +against the posse sweeping the town from end to end? There was only +one; he might be at the Northern Theatre. Even so, she could not reach +him, for she dared not go there herself. She thought of Fred, her Jap +boy, but there was no time. Wasted moments meant failure. + +Roy had once told her that he never gave up what he undertook. Very +well, she would show that even a girl may possess determination. This +was no time for modesty or shrinking indecision, so she pulled the veil +more closely about her face and took her good name into her hands. She +made rapidly towards the lighted streets which cast a skyward glare, +and from which, through the breathless calm, arose the sound of +carousal. Swiftly she threaded the narrow alleys in search of the +theatre's rear entrance, for she dared not approach from the front. In +this way she came into a part of the camp which had lain hidden from +her until now, and of the existence of which she had never dreamed. + +The vices of a city, however horrible, are at least draped scantily by +the mantle of convention, but in a great mining-camp they stand naked +and without concealment. Here there were rows upon rows of crib-like +houses clustered over tortuous, ill-lighted lanes, like blow-flies +swarming to an unclean feast. From within came the noise of ribaldry +and debauch. Shrill laughter mingled with coarse, maudlin songs, till +the clinging night reeked with abominable revelry. The girl saw painted +creatures 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 approached 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 longshoreman in that particular 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 was flung open, framing the +silhouette of a shirt-sleeved, thick-set youth, who shouted: + +"What 'n 'ell do you want to butt in for while the show's on? Go round +front." She caught a glimpse of disordered scenery, and before he could +slam the door in her face thrust a silver dollar into his hand, at the +same time wedging herself into the opening. He pocketed the coin and +the door clicked to behind her. + +"Well, speak up. The act's closin'." Evidently he was the directing +genius of the performance, for at that moment the chorus broke into +full cry, and he said, hurriedly: + +"Wait a minute. There goes the finally," and dashed away to tend his +drops and switches. When the curtain was down and the principals had +sought their dressing-rooms he returned. + +"Do you know Mr. Glenister?" she asked. + +"Sure. I seen him to-night. Come here." He led her towards the +footlights, and, pulling back the edge of the curtain, allowed her to +peep past him out into the dance-hall. She had never pictured a place +like this, and in spite of her agitation was astonished at its gaudy +elegance. The gallery was formed of a continuous row of compartments +with curtained fronts, in which men and women were talking, drinking, +singing. The seats on the lower floor were disappearing, and the canvas +cover was rolling back, showing the polished hardwood underneath, while +out through the wide folding-doors that led to the main gambling-room +she heard a brass-lunged man calling the commencement of the dance. +Couples glided into motion while she watched. + +"I don't see him," said her guide. "You better walk out front and help +yourself." He indicated the stairs which led up to the galleried boxes +and the steps leading down on to the main floor, but she handed him +another coin, begging him to find Glenister and bring him to her. +"Hurry; hurry!" she implored. + +The stage-manager gazed at her curiously, remarking, "My! You spend +your money like it had been left to you. You're a regular pie-check for +me. Come around any time." + +She withdrew to a dark corner and waited interminably till her +messenger appeared at the head of the gallery stairs and beckoned to +her. As she drew near he said, "I told him there was a thousand-dollar +filly flaggin' him from the stage door, but he's got a grouch an' won't +stir. He's in number seven." She hesitated, at which he said, "Go +on--you're in right;" then continued, reassuringly: "Say, pal, if he's +your white-haired lad, you needn't start no roughhouse, 'cause he don't +flirt wit' these dames none whatever. Naw! Take it from me." + +She entered the door her counsellor indicated to find Roy lounging back +watching the dancers. He turned inquiringly--then, as she raised her +veil, leaped to his feet and jerked the curtains to. + +"Helen! What are you doing here?" + +"You must go away quickly," she gasped. "They're trying to arrest you." + +"They! Who? Arrest me for what?" + +"Voorhees and his men--for riot, or something about last night." + +"Nonsense," he said. "I had no part in it. You know that." + +"Yes, yes--but you're a Vigilante, and they're after you and all your +friends. Your house is guarded and the town is alive with deputies. +They've planned to jail you on some pretext or other and hold you +indefinitely. Please go before it's too late." + +"How do you know this?" he asked, gravely. + +"I overheard them plotting." + +"Who?" + +"Uncle Arthur and Mr. McNamara." She faced him squarely as she said it, +and therefore saw the light flame up in his eyes as he cried: + +"And you came here to save me--came HERE at the risk of your good name?" + +"Of course. I would have done the same for Dextry." The gladness died +away, leaving him listless. + +"Well, let them come. I'm done, I guess. I heard from Wheaton to-night. +He's down and out, too--some trouble with the 'Frisco courts about +jurisdiction over these cases. I don't know that it's worth while to +fight any longer." + +"Listen," she said. "You must go. I am sure there is a terrible wrong +being done, and you and I must stop it. I have seen the truth at last, +and you're in the right. Please hide for a time at least." + +"Very well. If you have taken sides with us there's some hope left. +Thank you for the risk you ran in warning me." + +She had moved to the front of the compartment and was peering forth +between the draperies when she stifled a cry. + +"Too late! Too late! There they are. Don't part the curtains. They'll +see you." + +Pushing through the gambling-hall were Voorhees and four others, +seemingly in quest of some one. + +"Run down the back stairs," she breathed, and pushed him through the +door. He caught and held her hand with a last word of gratitude. Then +he was gone. She drew down her veil and was about to follow when the +door opened and he reappeared. + +"No use," he remarked, quietly. "There are three more waiting at the +foot." He looked out to find that the officers had searched the crowd +and were turning towards the front stairs, thus cutting off his +retreat. There were but two ways down from the gallery and no outside +windows from which to leap. As they had made no armed display, the +presence of the officers had not interrupted the dance. + +Glenister drew his revolver, while into his eyes came the dancing +glitter that Helen had seen before, cold as the glint of winter +sunlight. + +"No, not that--for God's sake!" she shuddered, clasping his arm. + +"I must for your sake, or they'll find you here, and that's worse than +ruin. I'll fight it out in the corridors so that you can escape in the +confusion. Wait till the firing stops and the crowd gathers." His hand +was on the knob when she tore it loose, whispering hoarsely: + +"They'll kill you. Wait! There's a better way. Jump." She dragged him +to the front of the box and pulled aside the curtains. "It isn't high +and they won't see you till it's too late. Then you can run through the +crowd." He grasped her idea, and, slipping his weapon back into its +holster, laid hold of the ledge before him and lowered himself down +over the dancers. He swung out unhesitatingly, and almost before he had +been observed had dropped into their midst. The gallery was but twice +the height of a man's head from the floor, so he landed on his feet and +had drawn his Colts even while the men at the stairs were shouting at +him to halt. + +At sight of the naked weapons there was confusion, wherein the commands +of the deputies mingled with the shrieks of the women, the crash of +overturned chairs, and the sound of tramping feet, as 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 palms to her ears, closing her +eyes tightly. + +Glenister covered the deputies, from whose vicinity the by-standers +surged as though from the presence of lepers. + +"Hands up!" he cried, sharply, and they froze into motionless +attitudes, one poised on the lowest step of the stairs, the other a +pace forward. Voorhees appeared 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 diagonally across the hall, his boot-heels +clicking in the silence, his eyes shifting rapidly up and down the +stairs where the danger lay. + +From her station Helen could see the whole tableau, all but the men on +the stairs, where her vision was cut off. She saw the dance girls +crouched behind their partners or leaning far out from the wall with +parted lips, the men eager yet fearful, the bartender with a +half-polished glass poised high. Then a quick movement across the hall +suddenly diverted her absorbed attention. She saw a man rip aside the +drapery of the box opposite and lean so far out that he seemed in peril +of falling. He undertook to sight a weapon at Glenister, who was just +passing from his view. At her first glance Helen gasped--her heart gave +one fierce lunge, and she cried out. + +The distance across the pit was so short that she saw his every line +and lineament clearly; it was the brother she had sought these years +and years. Before she knew or could check it the blood call leaped +forth. + +"Drury!" she cried, aloud, at which he whipped his head about, while +amazement and some other emotion she could not gauge spread slowly over +his features. For a long moment he stared at her without movement or +sign while the drama beneath went on, then he drew back into his +retreat with the dazed look of one doubting his senses, yet fearful of +putting them to the test. For her part, she saw nothing except her +brother vanishing slowly into the shadows as though stricken at her +glance, the curtains closing before his livid face--and then +pandemonium broke loose at her feet. + +Glenister, holding his enemies at bay, had retreated to the double +doors leading to the theatre. His coup had been executed so quickly and +with such lack of turmoil that the throng outside knew nothing of it +till they saw a man walk backward through the door. As he did so he +reached forth and slammed the wide wings shut before his face, then +turned and dashed into the press. Inside the dance-hall loud sounds +arose as the officers clattered down the stairs and made after their +quarry. They tore the barrier apart in time to see, far down the +saloon, an eddying swirl as though some great fish were lashing through +the lily-pads of a pond, and then the swinging doors closed behind +Glenister. + +Helen made her way from the theatre as she had come, unobserved and +unobserving, but she walked in a dream. Emotions had chased each other +too closely to-night to be distinguishable, so she went mechanically +through the narrow alley to Front Street and thence to her home. + +Glenister, meanwhile, had been swallowed up by the darkness, the night +enfolding him without sign or trace. As he ran he considered what +course to follow--whether to carry the call to his comrades in town or +to make for the Creek and Dextry. The Vigilantes might still distrust +him, and yet he owed them warning. McNamara's men were moving so +swiftly that action must be speedy to forestall them. Another hour and +the net would be closed, while it seemed that whichever course he chose +they would snare one or the other--either the friends who remained in +town, or Dex and Slapjack out in the hills. With daylight those two +would return and walk unheeding into the trap, while if he bore the +word to them first, then the Vigilantes would be jailed before dawn. As +he drew near Cherry Malotte's house he saw a light through the drawn +curtains. A heavy raindrop plashed upon his face, another followed, and +then he heard the patter of falling water increasing swiftly. Before he +could gain the door the storm had broken. It swept up the street with +tropical violence, while a breath sighed out of the night, lifting the +litter from underfoot and pelting him with flying particles. Over the +roofs the wind rushed with the rising moan of a hurricane while the +night grew suddenly noisy ahead of the tempest. + +He entered the door without knocking, to find the girl removing her +coat. Her face gladdened at sight of him, but he checked her with quick +and cautious words, his speech almost drowned by the roar outside. + +"Are you alone?" She nodded, and he slipped the bolt behind him, saying: + +"The marshals are after me. We just had a 'run in' at the Northern, and +I'm on the go. No--nothing serious yet, but they want the Vigilantes, +and I must get them word. Will you help me?" He rapidly recounted the +row of the last ten minutes while she nodded her quick understanding. + +"You're safe here for a little while," she told him, "for the storm +will check them. If they should come, there's a back door leading out +from the kitchen and a side entrance yonder. In my room you'll find a +French window. They can't corner you very well." + +"Slapjack and Dex are out at the shaft house--you know--that quartz +claim on the mountain above the Midas." He hesitated. "Will you lend me +your saddle-horse? It's a black night and I may kill him." + +"What about these men in town?" + +"I'll warn them first, then hit for the hills." + +She shook her head. "You can't do it. You can't get out there before +daylight if you wait to rouse these people, and McNamara has probably +telephoned the mines to send a party up to the quartz claim after Dex. +He knows where the old man is as well as you do, and they'll raid him +before dawn." + +"I'm afraid so, but it's all I can offer. Will you give me the horse?" + +"No! He's only a pony, and you'd founder him in the tundra. The mud is +knee-deep. I'll go myself." + +"Good Heavens, girl, in such a night! Why, it's worth your life! Listen +to it! The creeks will be 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." Then, coming +close, she continued: "Oh, boy! 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 I do love you, oh, so much! I want to be good and worthy to +love you, too." + +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 rain. His heavy brows knit themselves +together as she whispered: + +"I love you! I love you! 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. + +"Things are fearfully 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." + +"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 yourself. 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 innocently, I'm sure of that, in spite of the +fact that she'll marry McNamara. It was she who overheard 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 insulted her. That's the kind of a creature I am. I +sent her back to Struve, who offered to tell 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 quickly." He gave her his message to +Dextry, then she went to her room and slipped into a riding-habit. When +she came out he asked: "Where is your raincoat? 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 gun you'll need a good one." He removed 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 jealousy 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 barn door, streaming and soaked by the +blinding sheets that drove scythe-like ahead of the wind. He struck a +light, and the pony whinnied at recognition of his mistress. She +stroked the little fellow's muzzle while Glenister cinched on her +saddle. Then, when she was at last mounted, she leaned forward: + +"Will you kiss me once, Roy, for the last time?" + +He took her rain-wet face between his hands and kissed her upon the +lips as he would have saluted a little maid. As he did so, unseen by +both of them, a face was pressed for an instant against the pane of +glass in the stable wall. + +"You're a brave girl and may God bless you," he said, extinguishing the +light. He flung the door wide and she rode out into the storm. Locking +the portal, he plunged back towards the house to write his hurried +note, for there was much to do and scant time for its accomplishment, +despite the helping hand of the hurricane. He heard the voice of Bering +as it thundered on the Golden Sands, and knew that the first great +storm of the fall had come. Henceforth he saw that the violence of men +would rival the rising elements, for the deeds of this night would stir +their passions as AEolus was rousing the hate of the sea. + +He neglected to bolt the house door as he entered, but flung off his +dripping coat and, seizing pad and pencil, scrawled his message. The +wind screamed about the cabin, the lamp flared smokily, and Glenister +felt a draught suck past him as though from an open door at his back as +he wrote: + +"I can't do anything more. The end has come and it has brought the +hatred and bloodshed that I have been trying to prevent. I played the +game according to your rules, but they forced me back to first +principles in spite of myself, and now I don't know what the finish +will be. To-morrow will tell. Take care of your uncle, and if you +should wish to communicate with me, go to Cherry Malotte. She is a +friend to both of us. + + "Always your servant, ROY GLENISTER." + +As 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 +eaves, 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 remembered where his gun +was. Mechanically, he addressed the note in shaking characters, while +behind him sounded the constant drip, drip, drip that he knew came from +saturated garments. For a long moment he sat, till he heard the +stealthy click 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 light clothes wet and clinging, his +feet centred in a spreading puddle. The dim light showed the convulsive +fury of his features above the levelled weapon, whose hammer was curled +back like the head of a striking adder, his eyes gleaming with frenzy. +Glenister's mouth was powder dry, but his mind was leaping riotously +like dust before a gale, for he divined himself to be in the deadliest +peril of his life. When he spoke the calmness of his voice surprised +himself. + +"What's the matter, Bronco?" The Kid made no reply, and Roy repeated, +"What do you want?" + +"That's a hell of a question," the gambler said, hoarsely. "I want you, +of course, and I've got you." + +"Hold up! I am unarmed. This is your third try, and I want to know +what's back of it." + +"DAMN the talk!" cried the faro-dealer, moving closer till the light +shone on his features, which commenced to twitch. He raised the +revolver he had half lowered. "There's reason enough, and you know it." + +Glenister looked him fairly between the eyes, gripping himself with +firm hands to stop the tremor he felt in his bones. "You can't kill +me," he said. "I am too good a man to murder. You might shoot a crook, +but you can't kill a brave man when he's unarmed. You're no assassin." +He remained rigid in his chair, however, moving nothing but his lips, +meeting the other's look unflinchingly. The Kid hesitated an instant, +while his eyes, which had been fixed with the glare of hatred, wavered +a moment, betraying the faintest sign of indecision. Glenister cried +out, exultantly: + +"Ha! I knew it. Your neck cords quiver." + +The gambler grimaced. "I can't do it. If I could, I'd have shot you +before you turned. But you'll have to fight, you dog. Get up and draw." + +Roy refused. "I gave Cherry my gun." + +"Yes, and more too," the man gritted. "I saw it all." + +Even yet Glenister had made no slightest move, realizing that a +feather's weight might snap the gambler's nervous tension and bring the +involuntary twitch that would put him out swifter than a whip is +cracked. + +"I have tried it before, but murder isn't my game." The Kid's eye +caught the glint of Cherry's revolver where she had discarded it. +"There's a gun--get it." + +"It's no good. You'd carry the six bullets and never feel them. I don't +know what this is all about, but I'll fight you whenever I'm heeled +right." + +"Oh, you black-hearted hound," snarled the Kid. "I want to shoot, but +I'm afraid. I used to be a gentleman and I haven't lost it all, I +guess. But I won't wait the next time. I'll down you on sight, so you'd +better get ironed in a hurry." He backed out of the room into the +semi-darkness of the kitchen, watching with lynx-like closeness the man +who sat so quietly under the shaded light. He felt behind him for the +outer door-knob and turned it to let in a white sheet of rain, then +vanished like a storm wraith, leaving a parched-lipped man and a zigzag +trail of water, which gleamed in the lamplight like a pool of blood. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +WHEREIN A TRAP IS BAITED + + +Glenister did not wait long after his visitor's departure, but +extinguished the light, locked the door, and began the further +adventures of this night. The storm welcomed him with suffocating +violence, sucking the very breath from his lips, while the rain beat +through till his flesh was cold and aching. He thought with a pang of +the girl facing this tempest, going out to meet the thousand perils of +the night. And it remained for him to bear his part as she bore hers, +smilingly. + +The last hour had added another and mysterious danger to his full +measure. Could the Kid be jealous of Cherry? Surely not. Then what else? + +The tornado had driven his trailers to cover, evidently, for the +streets were given over to its violence, and Roy encountered no hostile +sign as he was buffeted from house to house. He adventured cautiously +and yet with haste, finding certain homes where the marshals had been +before him peopled now only by frightened wives and children. A +scattered few of the Vigilantes had been taken thus, while the warring +elements had prevented their families from spreading the alarm or +venturing out for succor. Those whom he was able to warn dressed +hurriedly, took their rifles, and went out into the drifting night, +leaving empty cabins and weeping women. The great fight was on. + +Towards daylight the remnants of the Vigilantes straggled into the big +blank warehouse on the sand-spit, and there beneath the smoking glare +of lanterns cursed the name of McNamara. As dawn grayed the ragged +eastern sky-line, Dextry and Slapjack blew in through the spindrift, +bringing word from Cherry and lifting a load from Glenister's mind. + +"There's a game girl," said the old miner, as he wrung out his clothes. +"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 we hang this 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 developments," the other +cautioned. "There's no telling what may turn up during the day." + +"That's right. Stranglers is like 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 in his +chair smoking countless cigars, his big face set in grim lines, his +hard eyes peering through the pall of blue at those he questioned. He +worked the wires of his machine until his dolls doubled and danced and +twisted at his touch. After a gusty interview he had dismissed Voorhees +with a merciless tongue-lashing, raging bitterly at the man's failure. + +"You're not fit to herd sheep. Thirty men out all night and what do you +get? A dozen mullet-headed miners. You bag the mud-hens and the big +game runs to cover. I wanted Glenister, but you let him slip through +your fingers--now it's war. What a mess you've made! If I had even ONE +helper with a brain the size of a flaxseed, this game would be a gift, +but you've bungled every move from the start. Bah! Put a spy in the +bull-pen with those prisoners and make them talk. Offer them anything +for information. Now get out!" + +He called for a certain deputy and questioned him regarding the night's +quest, remarking, finally: + +"There's treachery somewhere. Those men were warned." + +"Nobody came near Glenister's house except Miss Chester," the man +replied. + +"What?" + +"The Judge's niece. We caught her by mistake in the dark." + +Later, one of the men who had been with Voorhees at the Northern asked +to see the receiver and told him: + +"The chief won't believe that I saw Miss Chester in the dance-hall last +night, but she was there with Glenister. She must have put him wise to +our game or he wouldn't have known we were after him." + +His hearer made no comment, but, when alone, rose and paced the floor +with heavy tread while his face grew savage and brutal. + +"So that's the game, eh? It's man to man from now on. Very well, +Glenister, I'll have your life for that, and then--you'll pay, Miss +Helen." He considered carefully. A plot for a plot. If he could not +swap intrigue with these miners and beat them badly, he deserved to +lose. Now that the girl gave herself to their cause he would use her +again and see how well she answered. Public opinion would not stand too +great a strain, and, although he had acted within his rights last +night, he dared not go much further. Diplomacy, therefore, must serve. +He must force his enemies beyond the law and into his trap. She had +passed the word once; she would do so again. + +He hurried to Stillman's house and stormed into the presence of the +Judge. He told the story so artfully that the Judge's astonished +unbelief yielded to rage and cowardice, and he sent for his niece. She +came down, white and silent, having heard the loud voices. The old man +berated her with shrewish fury, while McNamara stood silent. The girl +listened with entire self-control until her uncle made a reference to +Glenister that she found intolerable. + +"Hush! I will not listen!" she cried, passionately. "I warned him +because you would have sacrificed him after he had saved our lives. +That is all. He is an honest 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 have riot, bloodshed, and Heaven knows +what. It was to save all this that I wanted to break up their +organization. A week's imprisonment would have done it, but now they're +armed and belligerent and we'll have a battle to-night." + +"No, no!" she cried. "There mustn't be any violence." + +"There is no use trying to check them. They are rushing to their own +destruction. I have learned that they plan to attack the Midas +to-night, and I'll have fifty soldiers waiting for them there. It is a +shame, for they are decent fellows, blinded by ignorance and misled by +that young miner. This will be the blackest night the North has ever +seen." + +With this McNamara left the house and went in search of Voorhees, +remarking to himself: "Now, Miss Helen--send your warning--the sooner +the better. If I know those Vigilantes, it will set them crazy, and yet +not crazy enough to attack the Midas. They will strike for me, and when +they hit my poor, unguarded office, they'll think hell has moved North." + +"Mr. Marshal," said he to his tool, "I want you to gather forty men +quietly and to arm them with Winchesters. They must be fellows who +won't faint at blood--you know the kind. Assemble them at my office +after dark, one at a time, by the back way. It must be done with +absolute secrecy. Now, see if you can do this one thing and not get +balled up. If you fail, I'll make you answer to me." + +"Why don't you get the troops?" ventured Voorhees. + +"If there's one thing I want to avoid, it's soldiers, either here or at +the mines. When they step in, we step 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 messenger. It rekindled her worst fears +and bore out McNamara'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 instrument +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. It must not be. She would shriek a warning +from the house-tops even at cost 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 contained 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 exposure 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 vision of that face in +the curtains at the Northern. It was her brother, yet what mystery +shrouded this affair, also? What kept him from her? What caused him to +slink away like a thief discovered? She grew dizzy and hysterical. + + Struve turned in his chair as the door to his private office +opened, then leaped to his feet at sight of the gray-eyed girl standing +there. + +"I came for the papers," she said. + +"I knew you would." The blood went out of his cheeks, then surged back +up to his eyes. "It's a bargain, then?" + +She nodded. "Give them to me first." + +He laughed unpleasantly. "What do you take me for? I'll keep my part of +the bargain if you'll keep yours. But this is no place, nor time. +There's riot in the air, and I'm busy preparing for to-night. Come back +to-morrow when it's all over." + +But it was the terror of to-night's doings that led her into his power. + +"I'll never come back," she said. "It is my whim to know to-day--yes, +at once." + +He meditated for a time. "Then to-day it shall be. I'll shirk the +fight, I'll sacrifice what shreds of duty have clung to me, because the +fever for you is in my bones, and it seems to me I'd do murder for it. +That's the kind of a man I am, and I have no pride in myself because of +it. But I've always been that way We'll ride to the Sign of the Sled. +It's a romantic little road-house ten miles from here, perched high +above the Snake River trail. We'll take dinner there together." + +"But the papers?" + +"I'll have them with me. We'll start in an hour." + +"In an hour," she echoed, lifelessly, and left him. + +He chuckled grimly and seized the telephone. "Central--call the Sled +road-house--seven rings on the Snake River branch. Hello! That you, +Shortz? This is Struve. Anybody at the house? Good. Turn them away if +they come and say that you're closed. None of your business. I'll be +out about dark, so have dinner for two. Spread yourself and keep the +place clear. Good-bye." + +Strengthened by Glenister's note, Helen went straight to the other +woman and this time was not kept waiting nor greeted with sneers, but +found Cherry cloaked in a shy dignity, which she clasped tightly about +herself. Under her visitor's incoherence she lost her diffidence, +however, and, when Helen had finished, remarked, with decision: "Don't +go with him. He's a bad man." + +"But I MUST. The blood of those men will be on me if I don't stop this +tragedy. If those papers tell the tale I think they do, I can call off +my uncle and make McNamara give back the mines. You said Struve told +you the whole scheme. Did you see the PROOF?" + +"No, I have only his word, but he spoke of those documents repeatedly, +saying they contained his instructions to tie up the mines in order to +give a foothold for the lawsuits. He bragged that the rest of the gang +were in his power and that he could land them in the penitentiary for +conspiracy. That's all." + +"It's the only chance," said Helen. "They are sending soldiers to the +Midas to lie in ambush, and you must warn the Vigilantes." Cherry paled +at this and ejaculated: + +"Good Lord! Roy said he'd lead an attack to-night." The two stared at +each other. + +"If I succeed with Struve I can stop it all--all of this injustice and +crime--everything." + +"Do you realize what you're risking?" Cherry demanded. "That man is an +animal. You'll have to kill him to save yourself, and he'll never give +up those proofs." + +"Yes, he will," said Helen, fiercely, "and I defy him to harm me. The +Sign of the Sled is a public roadhouse with a landlord, a telephone, +and other guests. Will you warn Mr. Glenister about the troops?" + +"I will, and bless you for a brave girl. Wait a moment." Cherry took +from the dresser her tiny revolver. "Don't hesitate to use this. I want +you to know also that I'm sorry for what I said yesterday." + +As she hurried away, Helen realized with a shock the change that the +past few months had wrought in her. In truth, it was as Glenister had +said, his Northland worked strangely with its denizens. What of that +shrinking girl who had stepped out of the sheltered life, strong only +in her untried honesty, to become a hunted, harried thing, juggling +with honor and reputation, in her heart a half-formed fear that she +might kill a man this night to gain her end? The elements were moulding +her with irresistible hands. Roy's contact with the primitive had not +roughened him more quickly than had hers. + +She met her appointment with Struve, and they rode away together, he +talkative and elated, she silent and icy. + +Late in the afternoon the cloud banks to the eastward 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 Voorhees 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 role 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 soldiers--no, decidedly no. He wished no help of soldiers at this +time. + +The sight of a ship in the offing towards dark caused him some +uneasiness, for, notwithstanding the assurance 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 them come to-morrow if they +would. By that time some of the mines would be ownerless and his +position strengthened a hundredfold. + +He telephoned the mines to throw out guards, although he reasoned that +none but madmen would think of striking there in the face of the +warning which he knew must have been transmitted through Helen. Putting +on his rain-coat he sought Stillman. + +"Bring your niece over to my place to-night. There's trouble in the air +and I'm prepared for it." + +"She hasn't returned from her ride yet. I'm afraid she's caught in the +storm." The Judge gazed anxiously into the darkness. + + During all the long day the Vigilantes lay in hiding, impatient +at their idleness and wondering at the lack of effort made towards +their discovery, not dreaming that McNamara had more cleverly hidden +plans behind. When Cherry's note of warning came they gathered in the +back room and gave voice to their opinions. + +"There's only one way to clear the atmosphere," said the chairman. + +"You bet," chorussed the others. "They've garrisoned the mines, so +let's go through the town and make a clean job of it. Let's hang the +whole outfit to one post." + +This met with general approval, Glenister alone demurring. Said he: "I +have reasoned it out differently, and I want you to hear me through +before deciding. Last night I got word from Wheaton that the California +courts are against us. He attributes it to influence, but, whatever the +reason, we are cut off from all legal help either in this court or on +appeal. Now, suppose we lynch these officials to-night--what do we +gain? Martial law in two hours, our mines tied up for another year, and +who knows what else? Maybe a corrupter court next season. Suppose, on +the other hand, we fail--and somehow I feel that we will, for that boss +is no fool. What then? Those of us who don't find the morgue will end +in jail. You say we can't meet the soldiers. I say we can and must. We +must carry this row to them. We must jump it past the courts of Alaska, +past the courts of California, and up to the White House, where there's +one honest man, at least. We must do something to wake up the men in +Washington. We must get out of politics, for McNamara can beat us +there. Although he's a strong man he can't corrupt the President. We +have one shot left, and it must reach the Potomac. When Uncle Sam takes +a hand we'll get a square deal, so I say let us strike at the Midas +to-night and take her if we can. Some of us will go down, but what of +it?" + +Following this harangue, he outlined a plan which in its unique daring +took away their breaths, and as he filled in detail after detail they +brightened with excitement and that love of the long chance which makes +gamblers of those who thread the silent valleys or tread the edge of +things. His boldness stirred them and enthusiasm did the rest. + +"All I want for myself," he said, "is the chance to run the big risk. +It's mine by right." + +Dextry spoke, breathlessly, to Slapjack in the pause which ensued: + +"Ain't he a heller?" + +"We'll go you," the miners chimed to a man. And the chairman added: +"Let's have Glenister lead this forlorn hope. I am willing to stand or +fall on his judgment." They acquiesced without a dissenting voice and +with the firm hands of a natural leader the young man took control. + +"Let's hurry up," said one. "It's a long 'mush' and the mud is +knee-deep." + +"No walking for us," said Roy. "We'll go by train." + +"By train? How can we get a train?" + +"Steal it," he answered, at which Dextry grinned delightedly at his +loose-jointed companion, and Slapjack showed his toothless gums in +answer, saying: + +"He sure is." + +A few more words and Glenister, accompanied by these two, slipped out +into the whirling storm, and a half-hour later the rest followed. One +by one the Vigilantes left, the blackness blotting them up an +arm's-length from the door, till at last the big, bleak warehouse +echoed hollowly to the voice of the wind and water. + +Over in the eastern end of town, behind dark windows upon which the +sheeted rain beat furiously, other armed men lay patiently +waiting--waiting some word from the bulky shadow which stood with +folded arms close against a square of gray, while over their heads a +wretched old man paced back and forth, wringing his hands, pausing at +every turn to peer out into the night and to mumble the name of his +sister's child. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +DYNAMITE + + +Early in the evening Cherry Malotte opened her door to find the Bronco +Kid on her step. He entered and threw off his rubber coat. Knowing him +well, she waited for his disclosure of his errand. His sallow skin was +without trace of color, his eyes were strangely tired, deep lines had +gathered about his lips, while his hands kept up constant little +nervous explorations as though for days and nights he had not slept and +now hovered on the verge of some hysteria. He gave her the impression +of a smouldering mine with the fire eating close up to the powder. She +judged that his body had been racked by every passion till now it hung +jaded and weary, yielding only to the spur of his restless, revengeful +spirit. + +After a few objectless remarks, he began, abruptly: + +"Do you love Roy Glenister?" His voice, like his manner, was jealously +eager, and he watched her carefully as she replied, without quibble or +deceit: + +"Yes, Kid; and I always shall. He is the only true man I have ever +known, and I'm not ashamed of my feelings." + +For a long time he studied her, and then broke into rapid speech, +allowing her no time for interruption. + +"I've held back and held back because I'm no talker. I can't be, in my +business; but this is my last chance, and I want to put myself right +with you. I've loved you ever since the Dawson days, not in the way +you'd expect from a man of my sort, perhaps, but with the kind of love +that a woman wants. I never showed my hand, for what was the use? That +man outheld me. I'd have quit faro years back only I wouldn't leave +this country as long as you were a part of it, and up here I'm only a +gambler, fit for nothing else. I'd made up my mind to let you have him +till something happened a couple of months ago, but now it can't go +through. I'll have to down him. It isn't concerning you--I'm not a +welcher. No, it's a thing I can't talk about, a thing that's made me +into a wolf, made me skulk and walk the alleys like a dago. It's put +murder into my heart. I've tried to assassinate him. I tried it here +last night--but--I was a gentleman once--till the cards came. He knows +the answer now, though, and he's ready for me--so one of us will go out +like a candle when we meet. I felt that I had to tell you before I cut +him down or before he got me." + +"You're talking like a madman, Kid," she replied, "and you mustn't turn +against him now. He has troubles enough. I never knew you cared for me. +What a tangle it is, to be sure. You love me, I love him, he loves that +girl, and she loves a crook. Isn't that tragedy enough without your +adding to it? You come at a bad time, too, for I'm half insane. There's +something dreadful in the air to-night--" + +"I'll have to kill him," the man muttered, doggedly, and, plead or +reason as she would, she could get nothing from him except those words, +till at last she turned upon him fiercely. + +"You say you love me. Very well--let's see if you do. I know the kind +of a man you are and I know what this feud will mean to him, coming +just at this time. Put it aside and I'll marry you." + +The gambler rose slowly to his feet. "You do love him, don't you?" She +bowed her face, and he winced, but continued: "I wouldn't make you my +wife that way. I didn't mean it that way." + +At this she laughed bitterly, "Oh, I see. Of course not. How foolish of +me to expect it of a man like you. I understand what you mean now, and +the bargain will stand just the same, if that is what you came for. I +wanted to leave this life and be good, to go away and start over and +play the game square, but I see it's no use. I'll pay. I know how +relentless you are, and the price is low enough. You can have me--and +that--marriage talk--I'll not speak of again. I'll stay what I am for +his sake." + +"Stop!" cried the Kid. "You're wrong. I'm not that kind of a sport." +His voice broke suddenly, its vehemence shaking his slim body. "Oh, +Cherry, I love you the way a man ought to love a woman. It's one of the +two good things left in me, and I want to take you away from here where +we can both hide from the past, where we can start new, as you say." + +"You would marry me?" she asked. + +"In an hour, and give my heart's blood for the privilege; but I can't +stop this thing, not even if your own dear life hung upon it. I MUST +kill that man." + +She approached him and laid her arms about his neck, every line of her +body pleading, but he refused steadfastly, while the sweat stood out +upon his brow. + +She begged: "They're all against him, Kid. He's fighting a hopeless +fight. He laid all he had at that girl's feet, and I'll do the same for +you." + +The man growled savagely. "He got his reward. He took all she had--" + +"Don't be a fool. I guess I know. You're a faro-dealer, but you haven't +any right to talk like that about a good woman, even to a bad one like +me." + +Into his dark eyes slowly crept a hungry look, and she felt him begin +to tremble the least bit. He undertook to speak, paused, wet his lips, +then carefully chose these words: + +"Do you mean--that he did not--that she is--a good girl?" + +"Absolutely." + +He sat down weakly and passed a shaking hand over his face, which had +begun to twitch and jerk again as it had on that night when his +vengeance was thwarted. + +"I may as well tell you that I know she's more than that. She's honest +and high-principled. I don't know why I'm 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." + +"Struve!" shouted the gambler, leaping to his feet. "Alone with Struve +on a night like this?" He shook her fiercely, crying: "What for? Tell +me quick!" + +She recounted the reasons for Helen's adventure, while the man's face +became terrible. + +"Oh, Kid, I am to blame for letting her go. Why did I do it? I'm +afraid--afraid." + +"The Sign of the Sled belongs to Struve, and the fellow who runs it is +a rogue." The Bronco looked at the clock, his eyes bloodshot and dull +like those of a goaded, fly-maddened bull. "It's eight o'clock now--ten +miles--two hours. Too late!" + +"What ails you?" she questioned, baffled by his strange demeanor. "You +called ME the one woman just now, and yet--" + +He swung towards her heavily. "She's my sister." + +"Your--sister? Oh, I--I'm glad. I'm glad--but don't stand there like a +wooden man, for you've work to do. Wake up. Can't you hear? She's in +peril!" Her words whipped him out of his stupor so that he drew himself +somewhat under control. "Get into your coat. Hurry! Hurry! My pony will +take you there." She snatched his garment from the chair and held it +for him while the life ran back into his veins. Together they dashed +out into the storm as she and Roy had done, and as he flung the saddle +on the buckskin, she said: + +"I understand it all now. You heard the talk about her and Glenister; +but it's wrong. I lied and schemed and intrigued against her, but it's +over now. I guess there's a little streak of good in me somewhere, +after all." + +He spoke to her from the saddle. "It's more than a streak, Cherry, and +you're my kind of people." She smiled wanly back at him under the +lantern-light. + +"That's left-handed, Kid. I don't want to be your kind. I want to be +his kind--or your sister's kind." + +Upon leaving the rendezvous, Glenister and his two friends slunk +through the night, avoiding the life and lights of the town, while the +wind surged out of the voids to seaward, driving its wet burden through +their flapping slickers, 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 mountains and the mines. Upon this +slender trail of steel there rolled one small, ungainly teapot of an +engine which daily creaked and clanked back and forth at a snail's +pace, screaming and wailing its complaint of the two high-loaded +flat-cars behind. The ties beneath it were spiked to planks laid +lengthwise over the semi-liquid 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. + +Early to bed and early to rise was perforce the motto of its grimy +crew, who lived 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 be 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. + +The fireman arose from his chair, dropping an empty shoe with a thump, +but, being of the West, without cavil or waste of wind, he stretched +his hands above his head, balancing on one foot to keep his unshod +member from the damp floor. He had unbuckled his belt, and now, +loosened by the movement, his overalls seemed bent on sinking floorward +in an ecstasy of abashment at the intrusion, whereupon with convulsive +grip he hugged them to their duty, one hand and foot still elevated as +though in the grand hailing-sign of some secret order. The other man +was new to the ways of the North, so backed to the limit of his +quarters, laid both hands protectingly upon his middle, and doubled up, +remarking, fervidly: + +"Don't point that damn thing at my stomach." + +"Ha, ha!" laughed the fireman, with unnatural loudness. "Have your joke +boys." + +"This ain't no joke," said the foremost figure, its breath bellying out +the mask at its mouth. + +"Sure it is," insisted the shoeless one. "Must be--we ain't got +anything worth stealing." + +"Get into your clothes and come along. We won't hurt you." The two +obeyed and were taken to the sleeping engine and there instructed to +produce a full head of steam in thirty minutes or suffer a premature +taking off and a prompt elision from the realms of applied mechanics. +As stimulus to their efforts two of the men stood over them till the +engine began to sob and sigh reluctantly. Through the gloom that +curtained the cab they saw other dim forms materializing and climbing +silently on to the cars behind; then, as the steam-gauge touched the +mark, the word was given and the train rumbled out from its shelter, +its shrill plaint at curb and crossing whipped away and drowned in the +storm. + +Slapjack remained in the cab, gun in lap, while Dextry climbed back to +Glenister. He found the young man in good spirits, despite the +discomfort of his exposed position, and striving to light 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 river 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 murmur 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 myself." + +"Awful wet night for philosophy," the first remarked. "It's apt to sour +on you like 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 till 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 fellow owes to himself, and to other people, if he'll only +stop and think them out. I've found out, too, that the right thing is +usually the hardest to do. Oh, I've improved a lot." + +"Gee! but you're popular with yourself. I don't see as it helps your +looks any. You're as homely as ever--an' what good does it do you after +all? She'll marry that big guy." + +"I know. That's what rankles, for he's no more worthy of her than I am. +She'll do what's right, however, you may depend upon that, and perhaps +she'll change him the way she did me. Why, she worked a miracle in my +attitude towards life--my manner--" + +"Oh, your manners are good enough as they lay," interrupted the other. +"You never did eat with your knife." + +"I don't believe in hara-kiri," Glenister laughed. + +"No, when it comes to intimacies with decorum, you're right on the job +along with any of them Easterners. I watched you close at them 'Frisco +hotels last winter, and, say--you know as much as a horse. Why, you was +wise to them tablewares and pickle-forks equal to a head-waiter, and it +give me confidence just to be with you. I remember putting milk and +sugar in my consomme the first time. It was pale and in a cup and +looked like tea--but not you. No, sir! You savvied plenty and squeezed +a lemon into yours--to clean your fingers, I reckon." + +Roy slapped his partner's wet back, for he was buoyant and elated. The +sense of nearing danger pulsed through him like wine. "That wasn't just +what I meant, but it goes. Say, if we win back our mine, we'll hit for +New York next--eh?" + +"No, I don't aim to mingle with no higher civilization than I got in +'Frisco. I use that word 'higher' like it was applied to meat. Not that +I wouldn't seem apropos, I'm stylish enough for Fifth Avenue or +anywheres, but I like the West. Speakin' of modes an' styles, when I +get all lit up in that gray woosted suit of mine, I guess I make the +jaded sight-seers set up an' take notice--eh? Somethin' doin' every +minute in the cranin' of necks--what? Nothin' gaudy, but the acme of +neatness an' form, as the feller said who sold it to me." + +Their common peril brought the friends together again, into that close +bond which had been theirs without interruption until this recent +change in the younger had led him to choose paths at variance with the +old man's ideas; and now they spoke, heart to heart, in the +half-serious, half-jesting ways of old, while beneath each whimsical +irony was that mutual love and understanding which had consecrated +their partnership. + +Arriving at the end of the road, the Vigilantes debouched and went into +the darkness of the canon behind their leader, to whom the trails were +familiar. He bade them pause finally, and gave his last instructions. + +"They are on the alert, so you want to be careful. Divide into two +parties and close in from both sides, creeping as near to the pickets +as possible without discovery. Remember to wait for the last blast. +When it comes, cut loose and charge like Sioux. Don't shoot to kill at +first, for they're only soldiers and under orders, but if they +stand--well, every man must do his work." + +Dextry appealed to the dim figures forming the circle. + +"I leave it to you, gents, if it ain't better for me to go inside than +for the boy. I've had more experience with giant powder, an' I'm so +blamed used up an' near gone it wouldn't hurt if they did get me, while +he's right in his prime--" + +Glenister stopped him. "I won't yield the privilege. Come now--to your +places, men." + +They melted away to each side while the old prospector paused to wring +his partner's hand. + +"I'd ruther it was me, lad, but if they get you--God help 'em!" He +stumbled after the departing shadows, leaving Roy alone. With his naked +fingers, Glenister ripped open the powder cases and secreted the +contents upon his person. Each cartridge held dynamite enough to +devastate a village, and he loaded them inside his pockets, inside his +shirt, and everywhere that he had room, till he was burdened and cased +in an armor one-hundredth part of which could have blown him from the +face of the earth so utterly as to leave no trace except, perhaps, a +pit ripped out of the mountain-side. He looked to his fuses and saw +that they were wrapped in oiled paper, then placed them in his hat. +Having finished, he set out, walking with difficulty under the weight +he carried. + +That his choice of location had been well made was evidenced by the +fact that the ground beneath his feet sloped away to a basin out of +which bubbled a spring. It furnished the drinking supply of the Midas, +and he knew every inch 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 clothes +handicapped him so that his gait was slow and awkward, while the rain +had swelled the streamlet till it trickled over his calves and up to +his wrists, chilling him so that his muscles cramped and his very bones +cried out with it. The sharp schist cut into his palms till they were +shredded and bleeding, while his knees found every jagged bit of +bed-rock over which he dragged himself. He could not see an +arm's-length ahead without rising, and, having removed his slicker for +greater freedom of movement, the rain beat upon his back till he was +soaked and sodden and felt streamlets cleaving downward between his +ribs. Now and again he squatted upon his haunches, straining his eyes +to either side. The banks were barely high enough to shield him. At +last he came to a bridge of planks spanning the ditch and was about to +rear himself for another look when he suddenly flattened into the +stream bed, half damming the waters with his body. It was for this he +had so carefully wrapped his fuses. A man passed over him so close +above that he might have touched him. The sentry paused a few paces +beyond and accosted another, then retraced his steps over the bridge. +Evidently this was the picket-line, so Roy wormed his way forward till +he saw the blacker blackness of the mine buildings, then drew himself +dripping out from the bank. He had run the gauntlet safely. + +Since evicting the owners, the receiver had erected substantial houses +in place of the tents he had found on the mine. They were of frame and +corrugated-iron, sheathed within and suited to withstand a moderate +exposure. The partners had witnessed the operation from a distance, but +knew nothing about the buildings from close examination. + +A thrill of affection for this place wanned the young man. He loved +this old mine. It had realized the dream of his boyhood, and had +answered the hope he had clung to during his long fight against the +Northland. It had come to him when he was disheartened, bringing cheer +and happiness, and had yielded itself like a bride. Now it seemed a +crime to ravage it. + +He crept towards the nearest wall and listened. Within was the sound of +voices, though the windows were dark, showing that the inhabitants were +on the alert. Beneath the foundations he made mysterious preparations, +then sought out the office building and cook-house, doing likewise. He +found that back of the seeming repose of the Midas there was a strained +expectancy. + +Although suspense had lengthened the time out of all calculation, he +judged he had been gone from his companions at least an hour and that +they must be in place by now. If they were not--if anything failed at +this eleventh hour--well, those were the fortunes of war. In every +enterprise, however carefully planned, there comes a time when chance +must take its turn. + +He made his way inside the blacksmith-shop and fumbled for a match. +Just as he was about to strike it he heard the swish of oiled clothes +passing, and waited for some time. Then, igniting his punk and hiding +it under his coat, he opened the door to listen. The wind had died down +now and the rain sang musically upon the metal roofs. + +He ran swiftly from house to house, and, when he had done, at the +apices of the triangle he had traced three glowing coals were +sputtering. + +The final bolt was launched at last. He stepped down into the ditch and +drew his .45, while to his tautened senses it seemed that the very +hills leaned forth in breathless pause, that the rain had ceased, and +the whole night hushed its thousand voices. He found his lower jaw set +so stiffly that the muscles ached. Levelling his weapon at the eaves of +the bunk-house, he pulled trigger rapidly--the bang, bang, bang, six +times repeated, sounding dull and dead beneath the blanket of mist that +overhung. A shout sounded behind him, and then the shriek of a +Winchester ball close over his head. He turned in time to see another +shot stream out of the darkness, where a sentry was firing at the flash +of his gun, then bent himself double and plunged down the ditch. + +With the first impact overhead the men poured forth from their quarters +armed and bristling, to be greeted by a volley of gunshots, the thud of +bullets, and the dwindling whine of spent lead. They leaped from +shelter to find themselves girt with a fitful hoop of fire, for the +"Stranglers" had spread in the arc of a circle and now emptied their +rifles towards the centre. The defenders, however, maintained +surprising order considering the suddenness of their attack, and ran to +join the sentries, whose positions could be determined by the nearer +flashes. The voice of a man in authority shouted loud commands. No +demonstration came from the outer voids, nothing but the wicked streaks +that stabbed the darkness. Then suddenly, behind McNamara's men, the +night glared luridly as though a great furnace-door had opened and then +clanged shut, while with it came a hoarse thudding roar that silenced +the rifle play. They saw the cook-house disrupt itself and disintegrate +into a thousand flying timbers and twisted sheets of tin which soared +upward and outward over their heads and into the night. As the rocking +hills ceased echoing, the sound of the Vigilantes' rifles recurred like +the cracking of dry sticks, then everywhere about the defenders the +earth was lashed by falling debris while the iron roofs rang at the +fusillade. + +The blast had come at their very elbows, and they were too dazed and +shaken by it to grasp its significance. Then, before they could realize +what it boded, the depths lit up again till the raindrops were outlined +distinct and glistening like a gossamer veil of silver, while the +office building to their left was ripped and rended and the adjoining +walls leaped out into sudden relief, their shattered windows looking +like ghostly, sightless eyes. The curtain of darkness closed heavier +than velvet, and the men cowered in their tracks, shielding themselves +behind the nearest objects or behind one another's bodies, waiting for +the sky to vomit over them its rain of missiles. Their backs were to +the Vigilantes now, their faces to the centre. Many had dropped their +rifles. The thunder of hoofs and the scream of terrified horses came +from the stables. The cry of a maddened beast is weird and calculated +to curdle the blood at best, but with it arose a human voice, shrieking +from pain and fear of death. A wrenched and doubled mass of zinc had +hurtled out of the heavens and struck some one down. The choking +hoarseness of the man's appeal told the story, and those about him +broke into flight to escape what might follow, to escape this danger +they could not see but which swooped out of the blackness above and +against which there was no defence. They fled only to witness another +and greater light behind them by which they saw themselves running, +falling, grovelling. This time they were hurled from their balance by a +concussion which dwarfed the two preceding ones. Some few stood still, +staring at the rolling smoke-bank as it was revealed by the explosion, +their eyes gleaming white, while others buried their faces in their +hollowed arms as if to shut out the hellish glare, or to shield +themselves from a blow. + +Out in the heart of the chaos rang a voice loud and clear: + +"Beware the next blast!" + +At the same instant the girdle of sharp-shooters rose up smiting the +air with their cries and charged in like madmen through the rain of +detritus. They fired as they came, but it was unnecessary, for there +was no longer a fight. It was a rout. The defenders, feeling they had +escaped destruction only by a happy chance in leaving the bunk-house +the instant they did, were not minded to tarry here where the heavens +fell upon their heads. To augment their consternation, the horses had +broken from their stalls and were plunging through the confusion. Fear +swept over the men--blind, unreasoning, contagious--and they rushed out +into the night, colliding with their enemies, overrunning them in the +panic to quit this spot. Some dashed off the bluff and fell among the +pits and sluices. Others ran up the mountain-side, and cowered in the +brush like quail. + +As the "Stranglers" assembled their prisoners near the ruins, they +heard wounded men moaning in the darkness, so lit torches and searched +out the stricken ones. Glenister came running through the smoke pall, +revolver in hand, crying: "Has any one seen McNamara?" No one had, and +when they were later assembled to take stock of their injuries he was +greeted by Dextry's gleeful announcement: + +"That's the deuce of a fight. We 'ain't got so much as a cold sore +among us." + +"We have captured fourteen," another announced, "and there may be more +out yonder in the brush." + +Glenister noted with growing surprise that not one of the prisoners +lined up beneath the glaring torches wore the army blue. They were +miners all, or thugs and ruffians gathered from the camp. Where, he +wondered, were the soldiers. + +"Didn't you have troops from the barracks to help you?" he asked. + +"Not a troop. We haven't seen a soldier since we went to work." + +At this the young leader became alarmed. Had this whole attack +miscarried? Had this been no clash with the United States forces, after +all? If so, the news would never reach Washington, and instead of +accomplishing his end, he and his friends had thrust themselves into +the realms of outlawry, where the soldiers could be employed against +them with impunity, where prices would rest upon their heads. Innocent +blood had been shed, court property destroyed. McNamara had them where +he wanted them at last. They were at bay. + +The unwounded prisoners were taken to the boundaries of the Midas and +released with such warnings as the imagination of Dextry could conjure +up; then Glenister assembled his men, speaking to them plainly. + +"Boys, this is no victory. In fact, we're worse off than we were +before, and our biggest fight is coming. There's a chance to get away +now before daylight and before we're recognized, but if we're seen here +at sun-up we'll 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 will be a different kind of fighting now, though. +It will be warfare pure and simple. How many of you will stick?" + +"All of us," said they, in unison, and, accordingly, preparations for a +siege were begun. Barricades were built, ruins removed, buildings +transformed into blockhouses, and all through the turbulent night the +tired men labored till ready to drop, led always by the young 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 telephone--says it's life +or death." + +Glenister hurried to the building, which had escaped the shock of the +explosions, and, taking down the receiver, was answered by Cherry +Malotte. + +"Thank God, you're safe," 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 has been! I haven't been to bed. I'm going +mad. Now, listen, carefully--yesterday Helen went with Struve to the +Sign of the Sled and she hasn't come back." + +The man at the end of the wire cried out at this, 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--something dreadful has +happened, I know." + +"What made her go?" he shouted. + +"To save you," came Cherry's faint reply. "If you love her, ride 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 right a wrong--and--I'm afraid of what has happened +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +IN WHICH THREE GO TO THE SIGN OF THE SLED AND BUT TWO RETURN + + +As Helen and her companion ascended the mountain, scarred and swept by +the tempest of the previous night, they heard, far below, the swollen +torrent brawling in its bowlder-ridden bed, while behind them the angry +ocean spread southward to a blood-red horizon. Ahead, the bleak +mountains brooded over forbidding valleys; to the west a suffused sun +glared sullenly, painting the high-piled clouds with the gorgeous hues +of a stormy sunset. To Helen the wild scene seemed dyed with the colors +of flame and blood and steel. + +"That rain raised the deuce with the trails," said Struve, as they +picked their way past an unsightly "slip" whence a part of the +overhanging mountain, loosened by the deluge, had slid into the gulch. +"Another storm like that would wash out these roads completely." + +Even in the daylight it was no easy task to avoid these danger spots, +for the horses floundered on the muddy soil. Vaguely the girl wondered +how she would find her way back in the darkness, as she had planned. +She said little as they approached the road-house, for the thoughts +within her brain had begun to clamor too wildly; but Struve, more +arrogant than ever before, more terrifyingly sure of himself, was +loudly garrulous. As they drew nearer and nearer, the dread that +possessed the girl became of paralyzing intensity. If she should +fail--but she vowed she would not, could not, fail. + +They rounded a bend and saw the Sign of the Sled cradled below them +where the trail dipped to a stream which tumbled from the comb above +into the river twisting like a silver thread through the distant +valley. A peeled flag-pole topped by a spruce bough stood in front of +the tavern, while over the door hung a sled suspended from a beam. The +house itself was a quaint structure, rambling and amorphous, from whose +sod roof sprang blooming flowers, and whose high-banked walls were +pierced here and there with sleepy windows. It had been built by a +homesick foreigner of unknown nationality whom the army of "mushers" +who paid for his clean and orderly hospitality had dubbed duly and as a +matter of course a "Swede." When travel had changed to the river trail, +leaving the house lonesome and high as though left by a receding wave, +Struve had taken it over on a debt, and now ran it for the convenience +of a slender traffic, mainly stampeders, who chose the higher route +towards the interior. His hireling spent the idle hours in prospecting +a hungry quartz lead and in doing assessment work on near-by claims. + +Shortz took the horses and answered his employer's questions curtly, +flashing a curious look at Helen. Under other conditions the girl would +have been delighted with the place, for this was the quaintest spot she +had found in the north country. The main room held bar and gold-scales, +a rude table, and a huge iron heater, while its walls and ceiling were +sheeted with white cloth so cunningly stitched and tacked that it +seemed a cavern hollowed from chalk. It was filled with trophies of the +hills, stuffed birds and animals, skins and antlers, from which +depended, in careless confusion, dog harness, snow-shoes, guns, and +articles of clothing. A door to the left led into the bunk-room where +travellers had been wont to sleep in tiers three deep. To the rear was +a kitchen and cache, to the right a compartment which Struve called the +art gallery. Here, free reign had been allowed the original owner's +artistic fancies, and he had covered the place with pictures clipped +from gazettes of questionable repute till it was a bewildering +arrangement of pink ladies in tights, pugilists in scanty trunks, prize +bulldogs, and other less moral characters of the sporting world. + +"This is probably the worst company you were ever in," Struve observed +to Helen, with a forced attempt at lightness. + +"Are there no guests here?" she asked him, her anxiety very near the +surface. + +"Travel is light at this time of the year. They'll come in later, +perhaps." + +A fire was burning in this pink room where the landlord had begun +spreading the table for two, and its warmth was grateful to the girl. +Her companion, thoroughly at his ease, stretched himself on a +fur-covered couch and smoked. + +"Let me see the papers, now, Mr. Struve," she began, but he put her off. + +"No, not now. Business must wait on our dinner. Don't spoil our little +party, for there's time enough and to spare." + +She arose and went to the window, unable to sit still. Looking down the +narrow gulch she saw that the mountains beyond were indistinct for it +was growing dark rapidly. Dense clouds had rolled up from the east. A +rain-drop struck the glass before her eyes, then another and another, +and the hills grew misty behind the coming shower. A traveller with a +pack on his back hurried around the corner of the building and past her +to the door. At his knock, Struve, who had been watching Helen through +half-shut eyes, arose and went into the other room. + +"Thank Heaven, some one has come," she thought. The voices were +deadened to a hum by the sod walls, till that of the stranger raised +itself in such indignant protest that she distinguished his words. + +"Oh, I've got money to pay my way. I'm no dead-head." + +Shortz mumbled something back. + +"I don't care if you are closed. I'm tired and there's a storm coming." + +This time she heard the landlord's refusal and the miner's angry +profanity. A moment later she saw the traveller plodding up the trail +towards town. + +"What does that mean?" she inquired, as the lawyer re-entered. + +"Oh, that fellow is a tough, and Shortz wouldn't let him in. 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 uneasiness increased. She half listened +to the stories with which Struve tried to entertain her and ate little +of the excellent meal that was shortly served to them. Struve, +meanwhile, ate and drank almost greedily, and the shadowy, sinister +evening crept along. A strange cowardice had suddenly overtaken the +girl; and if, at this late hour, she could have withdrawn, she would +have done so gladly and gone forth to meet the violence of the tempest. +But she had gone too far for retreat; and realizing that, for the +present, apparent compliance was her wisest resource, she sat quiet, +answering the man with cool words while his eyes grew brighter, his +skin more flushed, his speech more rapid. He talked incessantly and +with feverish gayety, smoking numberless cigarettes and apparently +unconscious of the flight of time. At last he broke off suddenly and +consulted his watch, while Helen remembered that she had not heard +Shortz in the kitchen for a long time. Suddenly Struve smiled on her +peculiarly, with confident cunning. As he leered at her over the +disorder between them he took from his pocket a flat bundle which he +tossed to her. + +"Now for the bargain, eh?" + +"Ask the man to remove these dishes," she said, as she undid the parcel +with clumsy fingers. + +"I sent him away two hours ago," said Struve, arising as if to come to +her. She shrank back, but he only leaned across, gathered up the four +corners of the tablecloth, and, twisting them together, carried the +whole thing out, the dishes crashing and jangling as he threw his +burden recklessly into the kitchen. Then he returned and stood with his +back to the stove, staring at her while she perused the contents of the +papers, which were more voluminous than she had supposed. + +For a long time the girl pored over the documents. The purport of the +papers was only too obvious; and, as she read, the proof of her uncle's +guilt stood out clear and damning. There was no possibility of mistake; +the whole wretched plot stood out plain, its darkest infamies revealed. + +In spite of the cruelty of her disillusionment, Helen was nevertheless +exalted with the fierce ecstasy of power, with the knowledge that +justice would at last be rendered. It would be her triumph and her +expiation that she, who had been the unwitting tool of this miserable +clique, would be the one through whom restitution was made. She arose +with her eyes gleaming and her lips set. + +"It is here." + +"Of course it is. Enough to convict us all. It means the penitentiary +for your precious uncle and your lover." He stretched his chin upward +at the mention as though to free his throat from an invisible clutch. +"Yes, your lover particularly, for he's the real one. That's why I +brought you here. He'll marry you, but I'll be the best man." The +timbre of his voice was unpleasant. + +"Come, let us go," she said. + +"Go," he chuckled, mirthlessly. "That's a fine example of unconscious +humor." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Well, first, no human being could find his way down to the coast in +this tempest; second--but, by-the-way, let me explain something in +those papers while I think of it." He spoke casually and stepped +forward, reaching for the package, which she was about to give up, when +something prompted her to snatch it behind her back; and it was well +she did, for his hand was but a few inches away. He was no match for +her quickness, however, and she glided around the table, thrusting the +papers into the front of her dress. The sudden contact with Cherry's +revolver gave her a certain comfort. She spoke now with determination. + +"I intend to leave here at once. Will you bring my horse? Very well, I +shall do it myself." + +She turned, but his indolence vanished like a flash, and springing in +front of the door he barred her way. + +"Hold on, my lady. You ought to understand without my saying any more. +Why did I bring you here? Why did I plan this little party? Why did I +send that man away? Just to give you the proof of my complicity in a +crime, I suppose. Well, hardly. You won't leave here to-night. And when +you do, you won't carry those papers--my own safety depends on that and +I am selfish, so don't get me started. Listen!" They caught the wail of +the night crying as though hungry for sacrifice. "No, you'll stay here +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 instrument loose from the wall, raised it above his head, dashed it +upon the floor, and sprang towards her, but she wrenched herself free +and fled across the room. The man's white hair was wildly tumbled, his +face was purple, and his neck and throat showed swollen, throbbing +veins. He stood still, however, and his lips cracked into his +ever-present, cautious smile. + +"Now, don't let's fight about this. It's no use, for I've played to +win. You have your proof--now I'll have my price--or else I'll take it. +Think over which it will be, while I lock up." + +Far down the mountain-side a man was urging a broken pony recklessly +along the trail. The beast was blown and spent, its knees weak and +bending, yet the rider forced it as though behind him yelled a thousand +devils, spurring headlong through gully and ford, up steep slopes and +down invisible ravines. Sometimes the animal stumbled and fell with its +master, sometimes they arose together, but the man was heedless of all +except his haste, insensible to the rain which smote him blindingly, +and to the wind which seized him savagely upon the ridges, or gasped at +him in the gullies with exhausted malice. At last he gained the plateau +and saw the road-house light beneath, so drove his heels into the +flanks of the wind-broken creature, which lunged forward gamely. He +felt the pony rear and drop away beneath him, pawing and scrambling, +and instinctively kicked his feet free from the stirrups, striving to +throw himself out of the saddle and clear of the thrashing hoofs. It +seemed that he turned over in the air before something smote him and he +lay still, his gaunt, dark face upturned to the rain, while about him +the storm screamed exultantly. + +The moment Struve disappeared into the outer room Helen darted to the +window. It was merely a single sash, nailed fast and immovable, but +seizing one of the little stools beside the stove she thrust it through +the glass, letting in a smother of wind and water. Before she could +escape, Struve bounded into the room, his face livid with anger, his +voice hoarse and furious. + +But as he began to denounce her he paused in amazement, for the girl +had drawn Cherry's weapon and levelled it at him. She was very pale and +her breast heaved as from a swift run, while her wondrous gray eyes +were lit with a light no man had ever seen there before, glowing like +two jewels whose hearts contained the pent-up passion of centuries. She +had altered as though under the deft hand of a master-sculptor, her +nostrils growing thin and arched, her lips tight pressed and pitiless, +her head poised proudly. The rain drove in through the shattered +window, over and past her, while the cheap red curtain lashed and +whipped her as though in gleeful applause. Her bitter abhorrence of the +man made her voice sound strangely unnatural as she commanded: + +"Don't dare to stop me." She moved towards the door, motioning him to +retreat before her, and he obeyed, recognizing the danger of her +coolness. She did not note the calculating treachery of his glance, +however, nor fathom the purposes he had in mind. + + Out on the rain-swept mountain the prostrate rider had regained +his senses and now was crawling painfully towards the road-house. Seen +through the dark he would have resembled some misshapen, creeping +monster, for he dragged himself, reptile-like, close to the ground. But +as he came closer the man heard a cry which the wind seemed guarding +from his ear, and, hearing it, he rose and rushed blindly forward, +staggering like a wounded beast. + +Helen watched her captive closely as he backed through the door before +her, for she dared not lose sight of him until free. The middle room +was lighted by a glass lamp on the bar and its rays showed that the +front-door was secured by a large iron bolt. She thanked Heaven there +was no lock and key. + +Struve had retreated until his back was to the counter, offering no +word, making no move, but the darting brightness of his eyes showed +that he was alert and planning. But when the door behind Helen, urged +by the wind through the broken casement, banged to, the man made his +first lightning-like sign. He dashed the lamp to the floor, where it +burst like an eggshell, and darkness leaped into the room as an animal +pounces. Had she been calmer or had time for an instant's thought Helen +would have hastened back to the light, but she 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 darkness 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 desperation. 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 turned 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 blackness, Strove +holding her like a gorilla till she grew faint and her head began to +whirl, while darting lights drove past her eyes and there was the roar +of a cataract in her ears. She was a strong girl, and her ripe young +body, untried until this moment, answered in every 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 inner door. This gave +way, and at the same moment the man's strength departed as though it +were a thing of darkness and dared not face the light that streamed +over them. She tore herself from his clutch and staggered into the +supper-room, her loosened hair falling in a gleaming torrent about her +shoulders, while he arose from his knees and came towards her again, +gasping: + +"I'll show you who's master here--" + +Then he ceased abruptly, cringingly, and threw up an arm before his +face as if to ward off 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 eyes filled with +horror and shifted down where 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 retreat a shudder ran +over him, his knees buckled and he plunged forward upon his face, his +arm still doubled under him. + +It had happened like a flash of light, and although Helen felt, rather +than heard, the shot and saw her assailant fall, she did not realize +the meaning of it till a drift of powder smoke assailed her nostrils. +Even so, 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, staring at it almost gloatingly, stood so +till she heard her name called, "Helen, little sister!" and, turning, +saw her brother in the window. + +That which he witnessed in her face he had seen before in the faces of +men locked close with a hateful death and from whom all but the most +elemental passions had departed--but he had never seen a woman bear the +marks till now. No artifice nor falsity was there, nothing but the +crudest, intensest feeling, 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 stripped to its purely savage +elements. As Glenister 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 him!" She followed, nevertheless, and stood near by while +her brother examined his victim. Struve was breathing, and, discovering +this, the others lifted him with difficulty to the couch. + +"Something cracked in here--ribs, I guess," the Kid remarked, gasping +and feeling his own side. He was weak and pale, and the girl led him +into the bunk-room, where he could lie down. Only his wonderful +determination had sustained him thus far, and now the knowledge of his +helplessness served to prevent Helen's collapse. + +The Kid would not hear of her going for help till the storm abated or +daylight came, insisting that the trails were too treacherous and that +no time could be saved by doing so. Thus they waited for the dawn. At +last they heard the wounded man faintly calling. He spoke to Helen +hoarsely. There was no malice, only fear, in his tones: + +"I said this was my madness--and I got what I deserved, but I'm going +to die. O God--I'm going to die and I'm afraid." He moaned till the +Bronco Kid hobbled in, glaring with unquenched hatred. + +"Yes, you're going to die and I did it. Be game, can't you? I sha'n't +let her go for help until daylight." + +Helen forced her brother back to his couch, and returned to help the +wounded man, who grew incoherent and began to babble. + +A little later, when the Kid seemed stronger and his head clearer, +Helen ventured to tell him of their uncle's villany and of the proof +she held, with her hope of restoring justice. She told him of the +attack planned that very night and of the danger which threatened the +miners. He questioned her closely and, realizing the bearing of her +story, crept to the door, casting the wind like a hound. + +"We'll have to risk it," said he. "The wind is almost gone and it's not +long till daylight." + +She pleaded to go alone, but he was firm. "I'll never leave you again, +and, moreover, I know the lower trail quite well. We'll go down the +gulch to the valley and reach town that way. It's farther but it's not +so dangerous." + +"You can't ride," she insisted. + +"I can if you'll tie me into the saddle. Come, get the horses." + +It was still pitchy dark and the rain was pouring, but the wind only +sighed weakly as though tired by its violence when she helped the +Bronco into his saddle. The effort wrenched a groan from him, but he +insisted upon her tying his feet beneath the horse's belly, saying that +the trail was rough and he could take no chance of falling again; so, +having performed the last services she might for Struve, she mounted +her own animal and allowed it to pick its way down the steep descent +behind her brother, who swayed and lurched drunkenly in his seat, +gripping the horn before him with both hands. + + They had been gone perhaps a half-hour when another horse plunged +furiously out of the darkness and halted before the road-house door. +Its rider, mud-stained and dishevelled, flung himself in mad haste to +the ground and bolted in through the door. He saw the signs of +confusion in the outer room, chairs upset and broken, the table wedged +against the stove, and before the counter a shattered lamp in a pool of +oil. He called loudly, but, receiving no answer, snatched a light +which, he found burning and ran to the door at his left. Nothing +greeted him but the empty tiers of bunks. Turning, he crossed to the +other side and burst through. Another lamp was lighted beside the couch +where Struve lay, breathing heavily, his lids half closed over his +staring eyes. Roy noted the pool of blood at his feet and the broken +window; then, setting down his lamp, he leaned over the man and spoke +to him. + +When he received no answer he spoke again loudly. Then, in a frenzy, +Glenister shook the wounded man cruelly, so that he cried out in terror: + +"I'm dying--oh, I'm dying." Roy raised the sick man up and thrust his +own face before his eyes. + +"This is Glenister. I've come for Helen--where is she?" A spark of +recognition flickered into the dull stare. + +"You're too late--I'm dying--and I'm afraid." + +His questioner shook Struve again. "Where is she?" he repeated, time +after time, till by very force of his own insistence he compelled +realization in the sufferer. + +"The Kid took her away. The Kid shot me," and then his voice rose till +it flooded the room with terror. "The Kid shot me and I'm dying." He +coughed blood to his lips, at which Roy laid him back and stood up. So +there was no mistake, after all, and he had arrived too late. This was +the Kid's revenge. This was how he struck. Lacking courage to face a +man's level eyes, he possessed the foulness to prey upon a woman. Roy +felt a weakening physical sickness sweep over him till his eye fell +upon a sodden garment which Helen had removed from her brother's +shoulders and replaced with a dry one. He snatched it from the floor +and in a sudden fury felt it come apart in his hands like wet +tissue-paper. + +He found himself out in the rain, scanning the trampled soil by light +of his lamp, and discerned tracks which the drizzle had not yet erased. +He reasoned mechanically that the two riders could have no great start +of him, so strode out beyond the house to see if they had gone farther +into the hills. There were no tracks here, therefore they must have +doubled back towards town. It did not occur to him that they might have +left the beaten path and followed down the little creek to the river; +but, replacing the light where he had found it, he remounted and lashed +his horse into a stiff canter up towards the divide that lay between +him and the city. The story was growing plainer to him, though as yet +he could not piece it all together. Its possibilities stabbed him with +such horror that he cried out aloud and beat his steed into faster time +with both hands and feet. To think of those two ruffians fighting over +this girl as though she were the spoils of pillage! He must overtake +the Kid--he WOULD! The possibility that he might not threw him into +such ungovernable mental chaos that he was forced to calm himself. Men +went mad that way. He could not think of it. That gasping creature in +the road-house spoke all too well of the Bronco's determination. And +yet, who of those who had known the Kid in the past would dream that +his vileness was so utter as this? + +Away to the right, hidden among the shadowed hills, his friends rested +themselves for the coming battle, waiting impatiently his return, and +timing it to the rising sun. Down in the valley to his left were the +two he followed, while he, obsessed and unreasoning, now cursing like a +madman, now grim and silent, spurred southward towards town and into +the ranks of his enemies. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE HAMMER-LOCK + + +Day was breaking as Glenister came down the mountain. With the first +light he halted to scan the trail, and having no means of knowing that +the fresh tracks he found were not those of the two riders he followed, +he urged his lathered horse ahead till he became suddenly conscious +that he was very tired and had not slept for two days and nights. The +recollection did not reassure the young man, for his body was a weapon +which must not fail in the slightest measure now that there was work to +do. Even the unwelcome speculation upon his physical handicap offered +relief, however, from the agony which fed upon him whenever he thought +of Helen in the gambler's hands. Meanwhile, the horse, groaning at his +master's violence, plunged onward towards the roofs of Nome, now +growing gray in the first dawn. + +It seemed years since Roy had seen the sunlight, for this night, +burdened with suspense, had been endlessly long. His body was faint +beneath the strain, and yet he rode on and on, tired, dogged, stony, +his eyes set towards the sea, his mind a storm of formless, whirling +thoughts, beneath which was an undeviating, implacable determination. + +He knew now that he had sacrificed all hope of the Midas, and likewise +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 himself. He had failed +everywhere, he had become an outlaw, he had fought and gone down, +certain only of his rectitude and the mastery of his unruly spirit. Now +the hour had come when he would perform his last mission, deriving +therefrom that satisfaction which the gods could not deny. He would +have his vengeance. + +The scheme took form without conscious effort 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 rising there would +sink in the west. So well confirmed was this belief that the details +did not engage his thought; but on the result of the other encounter he +speculated with some interest. From the first McNamara had been a +riddle to him, and mystery breeds curiosity. 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 that point as well as her deliverance from the Bronco +Kid. When he had finished--he would pay the price. If he had the luck +to escape, he would go back to his hills and his solitude; if he did +not, his future would be in the hands of his enemies. + +He entered the silent streets unobserved, for the mists were heavy and +low. Smoke columns arose vertically in the still air. The rain had +ceased, having beaten down the waves which rumbled against the beach, +filling the streets with their subdued thunder. A ship, anchored in the +offing, had run in from the lee of Sledge Island with the first lull, +while midway to the shore a tender was rising and falling, its oars +flashing like the silvered feelers of a sea insect crawling upon the +surface of the ocean. + +He rode down Front Street heedless of danger, heedless of the comment +his appearance might create, and, unseen, entered his enemy's +stronghold. He passed a gambling-hall, through the windows of which +came a sickly yellow gleam. A man came out unsteadily and stared at the +horseman, then passed on. + +Glenister's plan was to go straight to the Northern and from there to +track down its owner relentlessly, but in order to reach the place his +course led him past the office of Dunham & Struve. This brought back to +his mind the man dying out there ten miles at his back. The scantiest +humanity demanded that assistance be sent at once. Yet he dared not +give word openly, thus betraying his presence, for it was necessary +that he maintain his liberty during the next hour at all hazards. He +suddenly thought of an expedient and reined in his horse, which stopped +with wide-spread legs and dejected head while he dismounted and climbed +the stairs to leave 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 previous night he had +replaced his leather boots with "mukluks," which are waterproof, light, +and pliable footgear made from the skin of seal and walrus. He was thus +able to move as noiselessly as though in moccasins. Finding neither +pencil nor paper in his pocket, he tried the outer door of the office, +to find it unlocked. He stepped inside and listened, then moved towards +a table on which were writing materials, but in doing so heard a rustle +in Struve's private office. Evidently his soft soles had not disturbed +the man inside. Roy was about to tiptoe out as he had come when the +hidden man cleared his throat. It is in these involuntary sounds that +the voice retains its natural quality more distinctly even than in +speaking, A strange eagerness grew in Glenister's face and he +approached the partition stealthily. It was of wood and glass, the +panes clouded and opaque to a height of some six feet; but stepping +upon a chair he peered into the room beyond. A man knelt in a litter of +papers before the open safe, its drawers and compartments removed and +their contents scattered. The watcher lowered himself, drew his gun, +and laid soft hand upon the door-knob, turning the latch with firm +fingers. His vengeance had come to meet him. + + After lying in wait during the long night, certain that the +Vigilantes would spring his trap, McNamara was astounded at news of the +battle at the Midas and of Glenister's success. He stormed and cursed +his men as cowards. The Judge became greatly exercised over this new +development, which, coupled with his night of long anxiety, reduced him +to a pitiful hysteria. + +"They'll blow us up next. Great Heavens! Dynamite! Oh, that is +barbarous. For Heaven's sake, get the soldiers out, Alec." + +"Ay, we can use them now." Thereupon McNamara roused the commanding +officer at the post and requested him to accoutre a troop and have them +ready to march at daylight, then bestirred the Judge to start the +wheels of his court and invoke this military aid in regular fashion. + +"Make it all a matter of record," he said. "We want to keep our skirts +clear from now on." + +"But the towns-people are against us," quavered Stillman. "They'll tear +us to pieces." + +"Let 'em try. Once I get my hand on the ringleader, the rest may riot +and be damned." + +Although he had made less display than had the Judge, the receiver was +no less deeply worried about Helen, of whom no news came. His jealousy, +fanned to red heat by the discovery of her earlier defection, was +enhanced 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 in her lot with the rioters. This +aroused a perfect delirium of doubt and anger till he reasoned further +that Struve, having gone with her, must also be a traitor. He +recognized the menace in this fact, knowing the man's venality, so +began to reckon carefully its significance. What could Struve do? What +proof had he? McNamara started, and, seizing his hat, hurried straight +to the lawyer's office and let himself in with the key he carried. It +was light enough for him to decipher the characters on the safe lock as +he turned the combination, so he set to work scanning the endless +bundles within, hoping that after all the man had taken with him no +incriminating evidence. Once the searcher paused at some fancied sound, +but when nothing came of it drew his revolver and laid it before him +just inside the safe door and close beneath his hand, continuing to run +through the documents while his uneasiness increased. He had been +engaged so for some time when he heard the faintest creak at his back, +too slight to alarm and just sufficient to break his tension and cause +him to jerk his head about. Framed in the open door stood Roy Glenister +watching him. + +McNamara's astonishment was so genuine that he leaped to his feet, +faced about, and prompted by a secretive instinct swung to the safe +door as though to guard its contents. He had acted upon the impulse +before realizing that his weapon was inside and that now, although the +door was not locked, it would require that one dangerous, yes, fatal, +second to open it. + +The two men stared at each other for a time, silent and malignant, +their glances meeting like blades; in the older man's face a look of +defiance, in the younger's a dogged and grim-purposed enmity. +McNamara's first perturbation left him calm, alert, dangerous; whereas +the continued contemplation of his enemy worked in Glenister to destroy +his composure, and his purpose blazed forth unhidden. + +He stood there unkempt and soiled, the clean sweep of jaw and throat +overgrown with a three days' black stubble, his hair wet and matted, +his whole left side foul with clay where he had fallen in the darkness. +A muddy red streak spread downward from a cut above his temple, beneath +his eyes were sagging folds, while the flicker at his mouth corners +betrayed the high nervous pitch to which he was keyed. + +"I have come for the last act, McNamara; now we'll have it out, man to +man." + +The politician shrugged his shoulders. "You have the drop on me. I am +unarmed." At which the miner's face lighted fiercely and he chuckled. + +"Ah, that's almost too good to be true. I have dreamed about such a +thing and I have been hungry to feel your throat since the first time I +saw you. It's grown on me till shooting wouldn't satisfy me. Ever had +the feeling? Well, I'm going to choke the life out of you with my bare +hands." + +McNamara squared himself. + +"I wouldn't advise you to try it. I have lived longer than you and I +was never beaten, but I know the feeling you speak about. I have it +now." + +His eyes roved rapidly up and down the other's form, noting the lean +thighs and close-drawn belt which lent the appearance of spareness, +belied only by the neck and shoulders. He had beaten better men, and he +reasoned that if it came to a physical test in these cramped quarters +his own great weight would more than offset any superior agility the +miner might possess. The longer he looked the more he yielded to his +hatred of the man before him, and the more cruelly he longed to satisfy +it. + +"Take off your coat," said Glenister. "Now turn around. All right! I +just wanted to see if you were lying about your gun." + +"I'll kill you," cried McNamara. + +Glenister laid his six-shooter upon the safe and slipped off his own +wet garment. The difference was more marked now and the advantage more +strongly with the receiver. Though they had avoided allusion to it, +each knew that this fight had nothing to do with the Midas and each +realized whence sprang their fierce enmity. And it was meet that they +should come together thus. It had been the one certain and logical +event which they had felt inevitably approaching from long back. And it +was fitting, moreover, that they should fight alone and unwitnessed, +armed only with the weapons of the wilderness, for they were both of +the far, free lands, were both of the fighter's type, and had both +warred for the first, great prize. + +They met ferociously. McNamara aimed a fearful blow, but Glenister met +him squarely, beating him off cleverly, stepping in and out, his arms +swinging loosely from his shoulders like whalebone withes tipped with +lead. He moved lightly, his footing made doubly secure by reason of his +soft-soled mukluks. Recognizing his opponent's greater weight, he +undertook merely to stop the headlong rushes and remain out of reach as +long as possible. He struck the politician fairly in the mouth so that +the man's head snapped back and his fists went wild, then, before the +arms could grasp him, the miner had broken ground and whipped another +blow across; but McNamara was a boxer himself, so covered and blocked +it. The politician spat through his mashed lips and rushed again, +sweeping his opponent from his feet. Again Glenister's fist shot +forward like a lump of granite, but the other came on head down and the +blow finished too high, landing on the big man's brow. A sudden darting +agony paralyzed Roy's hand, and he realized that he had broken the +metacarpal bones and that henceforth it would be useless. Before he +could recover, McNamara had passed under his extended arm and seized +him by the middle, then, thrusting his left leg back of Roy's, he +whirled him from his balance, flinging him clear and with resistless +force. It seemed that a fatal fall must follow, but the youth squirmed +catlike in the air, landing with set muscles which rebounded like +rubber. Even so, the receiver was upon him before he could rise, +reaching 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 +exhaustion--then the mind goes skittering back into its dark recesses +while every venomous passion leaps forth from its hiding-place and +joins in the horrid war. + +They tripped across the floor, crashing into the partition, which +split, showering them with glass. They fell and rolled in it; then, by +consent, wrenched themselves apart and rose, eye to eye, their jaws +hanging, their lungs wheezing, their faces trickling blood and sweat. +Roy's left hand pained him excruciatingly, while McNamara's macerated +lips had turned outward in a hideous pout. They crouched so for an +instant, cruel, bestial--then clinched again. The office-fittings 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 insensate mechanisms. + +Gradually the older man's face was beaten into a shapeless mass by the +other's cunning blows, while Glenister's every bone was wrenched and +twisted under his enemy's terrible onslaughts. The miner's chief +effort, it is true, was to keep his feet and to break the man's +embraces. Never had he encountered one whom he could not beat by sheer +strength till he met this great, snarling creature who worried him +hither and yon as though he were a child. Time and again Roy beat upon +the man's face with the blows of a sledge. No rules governed this +solitary combat; the men were deaf to all but the roaring in their +ears, blinded to all but hate, insensible to everything but the blood +mania. Their trampling feet caused the building to rumble and shake as +though some monster were running amuck. + +Meanwhile a bareheaded man rushed out of the store beneath, bumping +into a pedestrian who had paused on the sidewalk, and together they +scurried up the stairs. The dory which Roy had seen at sea had shot the +breakers, and now its three passengers were tracking through the wet +sand towards Front Street, Bill Wheaton in the lead. He was followed by +two rawboned men who travelled without baggage. The city was awakening +with the sun which reared a copper rim out of the sea--Judge Stillman +and Voorhees came down from the hotel and paused to gaze through the +mists at a caravan of mule teams which trotted into the other end of +the street with jingle and clank. The wagons were blue with soldiers, +the early golden rays slanting from their Krags, and they were bound +for the Midas. + +Out of the fogs which clung so thickly to the tundra there came two +other horses, distorted and unreal, on one a girl, on the other a +figure of pain and tragedy, a grotesque creature that swayed stiffly to +the motion 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 out upon seeing them, but as they reined in, out from the stairs +beside them a man shot amid clatter and uproar. + +"Give me a hand--quick!" he shouted to them. + +"What's up?" inquired the marshal. + +"It's murder! McNamara and Glenister!" He dashed back up the steps +behind Voorhees, the Judge following, while muffled 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 hearing 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 stay 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 breakable thing had been ground to splinters as though by +iron slugs in a whirling cylinder. + +To this day, from Dawson to the Straits, from Unga to the Arctics, men +tell of the combat wherever they foregather at flaring camp-fires or in +dingy bunkhouses; and although some scout the tale, there are others +who saw it and can swear to its truth. These say that the encounter was +like the battle of bull moose in the rutting season, though more +terrible, averring that two men like these had never been known in the +land since the days of Vitus Bering and his crew; for their rancor had +swollen till at feel of each other's flesh they ran mad and felt +superhuman strength. It is true, at any rate, that neither was +conscious of the filling room, nor the cries of the crowd, even when +the marshal forced himself through the wedged door and fell upon the +nearest, which was Glenister. He came at an instant when the two had +paused at arm's-length, glaring with rage-drunken eyes, gasping the +labored breath back into their lungs. + +With a fling of his long arms the young man hurled the intruder aside +so violently that his head struck the iron safe and he collapsed +insensible. Then, without apparent notice of the interruption, the +fight went on. It was seen during this respite that McNamara's mouth +was running water as though he were deathly sick, while every retch +brought forth a groan. Helen heard herself crying: "Stop them! Stop +them!" But no one seemed capable of interference. She heard her brother +muttering and his breath coming heavily like that of the fighters, his +body swaying in time to theirs. The Judge was ashy, imbecile, helpless. + +McNamara's distress was patent to his antagonist, who advanced upon him +with the hunger of promised victory; but the young man's muscles obeyed +his commands sluggishly, his ribs seemed broken, his back was weak, and +on the inner side of his legs the flesh was quivering. As they came +together the boss reached up his right hand and caught the miner by the +face, burying thumb and fingers crab like into his cheeks, forcing his +slack jaws apart, thrusting his head backward, while 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 advantage given him through the +other's perfidy, realized the wrestler's hold that was his, and knew +that the moment 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 younger man was +seized with a fear of death which multiplied his enormous strength, +others that the power died in his adversary as reward for his treason; +but it was not so. + +No sooner had Roy encompassed McNamara's waist from the rear than he +slid his damaged hand up past the other's chest and around the back of +his neck, thus bringing his own left arm close under his enemy's left +armpit, wedging the receiver's head forward, while with his other hand +he grasped the politician's right wrist close to the revolver, thus +holding him in a grasp which could not be broken. Now came the test. +The two bodies set themselves rocklike and rigid. There was no lunging +about. Calling up the final atom of his strength, Glenister bore +backward with his right arm and it became a contest for the weapon +which, clutched in the two hands, swayed back and forth or darted up +and down, the fury of resistance causing it to trace formless patterns +in the air with its muzzle. McNamara shook himself, but he was close +against the safe and could not escape, his head bowed forward by the +lock of the miner's left arm, and so he strained till the breath +clogged in his throat. Despite the grievous toil his right hand moved +back slightly. His feet shifted a bit, while the blood seemed bursting +from his eyes, but he found that the long fingers encircling his wrist +were like gyves weighted with the strength of the hills and the +irresistible vigor of youth which knew no defeat. Slowly, inch by inch, +the great man's arm was dragged back, down past his side, while the +strangling labor of his breath showed at what awful cost. The muzzle of +the gun described a semicircle and the knotted hands began to travel +towards the left, more rapidly now, across his broad back. Still he +struggled and wrenched, but uselessly. He strove to fire the weapon, +but his fingers were woven about it so that the hammer would not work. +Then the miner began forcing upward. + +The white skin beneath the men's strips of clothing was stretched over +great knots and ridges which sunk and swelled and quivered. Helen, +watching in silent terror, felt her brother sinking his fingers into +her shoulder and heard him panting, his face ablaze with excitement, +while she became conscious that he had repeated time and again: + +"It's the hammer-lock--the hammer-lock." + +By now McNamara's arm was bent and cramped upon his back, and then they +saw Glenister's shoulder dip, his elbow come closer to his side, and +his body heave in one final terrific effort as though pushing a heavy +weight. In the silence something snapped like a stick. There came a +deafening report and the scream of a strong man overcome with agony. +McNamara went to his knees and sagged forward on to his face as though +every bone in his huge bulk had turned to water, while his master +reeled back against the opposite wall, his heels dragging in the +litter, bringing up with outflung arms as though fearful of falling, +swaying, blind, exhausted, his face blackened by the explosion of the +revolver, yet grim with the light of victory. + +Judge Stillman shouted, hysterically: + +"Arrest that man, quick! Don't let him go!" + +It was the miner's first realization that others were there. Raising +his head he stared at the faces close against the partition, then +groaned the words: + +"I beat the traitor and--and--I broke him with--my hands!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE PROMISE OF DREAMS + + +Soldiers seized the young man, who made no offer at resistance, and the +room became a noisy riot. Crowds surged up from below, clamoring, +questioning, till some one at the head of the stairs shouted down: + +"They've got Roy Glenister. He's killed McNamara," at which a murmur +arose that threatened to become a cheer. + +Then one of the receiver's faction called: "Let's hang him. He killed +ten of our men last night." Helen winced, but Stillman, roused to a +sort of malevolent courage, quieted the angry voices. + +"Officer, hold these people back. I'll attend to this man. The law's in +my hands and I'll make him answer." + +McNamara reared himself groaning from the floor, his right arm swinging +from the shoulder strangely loose and distorted, with palm twisted +outward, while his battered face was hideous with pain and defeat. He +growled broken maledictions at his enemy. + +Roy, meanwhile, said nothing, for as the savage lust died in him he +realized that the whirling faces before him were the faces of his +enemies, that the Bronco Kid was still at large, and that his vengeance +was but half completed. His knees were bending, his limbs were like +leaden bars, his chest a furnace of coals. As he reeled down the lane +of human forms, supported by his guards, he came abreast of the girl +and her companion and paused, clearing his vision slowly. + +"Ah, there you are!" he said, thickly, to the gambler, and began to +wrestle with his captors, baring his teeth in a grimace of painful +effort; but they held him as easily as though he were a child and drew +him forward, his body sagging limply, his face turned back over his +shoulder. + +They had him near the door when Wheaton barred their way, crying: "Hold +up a minute--it's all right, Roy--" + +"Ay, Bill--it's all right. We did our--best, but we were done by a +damned blackguard. Now he'll send me up--but I don't care. I broke +him--with my naked hands. Didn't I, McNamara?" He mocked unsteadily at +the boss, who cursed aloud in return, glowering like an evil mask, +while Stillman ran up dishevelled and shrilly irascible. + +"Take him away, I tell you! Take him to jail." + +But Wheaton held his place while the room centred its eyes upon him, +scenting some unexpected denouement. He saw it, and in concession to a +natural vanity and dramatic instinct, he threw back his head and +stuffed his hands into his coat-pockets while the crowd waited. He +grinned insolently at the Judge and the receiver. + +"This will be a day of defeats and disappointments to you, my friends. +That boy won't go to jail because you will wear the shackles +yourselves. Oh, you played a shrewd game, you two, with your senators, +your politics, and your pulls; but it's our turn now, and we'll make +you dance for the mines you gutted and the robberies you've done and +the men you've ruined. Thank Heaven there's ONE honest court and I +happened to find it." He turned to the strangers who had accompanied +him from the ship, crying, "Serve those warrants," and they stepped +forward. + +The uproar of the past few minutes had brought men running from every +direction till, finding no room on the stairs, they had massed in the +street below while the word flew from lip to lip concerning this +closing scene of their drama, the battle at the Midas, the great fight +up-stairs, and the arrest by the 'Frisco deputies. Like Sindbad's +genie, a wondrous tale took shape from the rumors. Men shouldered one +another eagerly for a glimpse of the actors, and when the press +streamed out, greeted it with volleys of questions. They saw the +unconscious marshal borne forth, followed by the old Judge, now a +palsied wretch, slinking beside his captor, a very shell of a man at +whom they jeered. When McNamara lurched into view, an image of defeat +and chagrin, their voices rose menacingly. The pack was turning and he +knew it, but, though racked and crippled, he bent upon them a visage so +full of defiance and contemptuous malignity that they hushed +themselves, and their final picture of him was that of a big man +downed, but unbeaten to the last. They began to cry for Glenister, so +that when he loomed in the doorway, a ragged, heroic figure, his heavy +shock low over his eyes, his unshaven face aggressive even in its +weariness, his corded arms and chest bare beneath the fluttering +streamers, the street broke into wild cheering. Here was a man of their +own, a son of the Northland who labored and loved and fought in a way +they understood, and he had come into his due. + +But Roy, dumb and listless, staggered up the street, refusing the help +of every man except Wheaton. He heard his companion talking, but +grasped only that the attorney gloated and gloried. + +"We have whipped them, boy. We have whipped them at their own game. +Arrested in their very door-yards--cited for contempt of court--that's +what they are. They disobeyed those other writs, and so I got them." + +"I broke his arm," muttered the miner. + +"Yes, I saw you do it! Ugh! it was an awful thing. I couldn't prove +conspiracy, but they'll go to jail for a little while just the same, +and we have broken the ring." + +"It snapped at the shoulder," the other continued, dully, "just like a +shovel handle. I felt it--but he tried to kill me and I had to do it." + +The attorney took Roy to his cabin and dressed his wounds, talking +incessantly the while, but the boy was like a sleep-walker, displaying +no elation, no excitement, no joy of victory. At last Wheaton broke out: + +"Cheer up! Why, man, you act like a loser. Don't you realize 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, Bill? The +Midas--the world--what good are they? You're wrong. I've +lost--yes--I've lost everything she taught me, and by some damned trick +of Fate she was there to see me do it. Now, go away; I want to sleep." + +He sank upon the bed with its tangle of blankets and was unconscious +before the lawyer had covered him over. + +There he lay like a dead man till late in the afternoon, when Dextry +and Slapjack came in from the hills, answering Wheaton's call, and fell +upon him hungrily. They shook Roy into consciousness with joyous riot, +pommelling him with affectionate roughness till he rose and joined with +them stiffly. He bathed and rubbed the soreness from his muscles, +emerging physically fit. They made him recount his adventures to the +tiniest detail, following his description of the fight with absorbed +interest till Dextry broke into mournful complaint: + +"I'd have give my half of the Midas to see you bust him. Lord, I'd have +screeched with soopreme delight at that." + +"Why didn't you gouge his eyes out when you had him crippled?" +questioned Slapjack, vindictively. "I'd 'a' done it." + +Dextry continued: "They tell me that when he was arrested he swore in +eighteen different languages, each one more refreshin'ly repulsive an' +vig'rous than the precedin'. Oh, I have sure missed a-plenty to-day, +partic'lar because my own diction is gettin' run down an' skim-milky of +late, showin' sad lack of new idees. Which I might have assim'lated +somethin' robustly original an' expressive if I'd been here. No, sir; a +nose-bag full of nuggets wouldn't have kept me away." + +"How did it sound when she busted?" insisted the morbid Simms, but +Glenister refused to discuss his combat. + +"Come on, Slap," said the old prospector, "let's go down-town. I'm so +het up I can't set still, an' besides, mebbe we can get the story the +way it really happened, from somebody who ain't bound an' gagged an' +chloroformed by such unbecomin' modesties. Roy, don't never go into +vawdyville with them personal episodes, because they read about as +thrillin' as a cook-book. Why, say, I've had the story of that fight +from four different fellers already, none of which was within four +blocks of the scrimmage, an' they're all diff'rent an' all better 'n +your account." + +Now that Glenister's mind had recovered some of its poise he realized +what he had done. + +"I was a beast, an animal," he groaned, "and that after all my +striving. I wanted to leave that part behind, I wanted to be worthy of +her love and trust even though I never won it, but at the first test I +am found lacking. I have lost her confidence, yes--and what is worse, +infinitely worse, I have lost my own. She's always seen me at my +worst," he went on, "but I'm not that kind at bottom, not that kind. I +want to do what's right, and if I have another chance I will, I know I +will. I've been tried too hard, that's all." + +Some one knocked, and he opened the door to admit the Bronco Kid and +Helen. + +"Wait a minute, old man," said the Kid. "I'm here as a friend." The +gambler handled himself with difficulty, offering in explanation: + +"I'm all sewed up in bandages of one kind or another." + +"He ought to be in bed now, but he wouldn't let me come alone, and I +could not wait," the girl supplemented, while her eyes avoided +Glenister's in strange hesitation. + +"He wouldn't let you. I don't understand." + +"I'm her brother," announced the Bronco Kid. "I've known it for a long +time, but I--I--well, you understand I couldn't let her know. All I can +say is, I've gambled square till the night I played you, and I was as +mad as a dervish then, blaming you for the talk I'd heard. Last night I +learned by chance about Struve and Helen and got to the road-house in +time to save her. I'm sorry I didn't kill him." His long white fingers +writhed about the arm of his chair at the memory. + +"Isn't he dead?" Glenister inquired. + +"No. The doctors have brought him in and he'll get well. He's like half +the men in Alaska--here because the sheriffs back home couldn't shoot +straight. There's something else. I'm not a good talker, but give me +time and I'll manage it so you'll understand. I tried to keep Helen +from coming on this errand, but she said it was the square thing and +she knows better than I. It's about those papers she brought in last +spring. She was afraid you might consider her a party to the deal, but +you don't, do you?" He glared belligerently, and Roy replied, with +fervor: + +"Certainly not. Go on." + +"Well, she learned the other day that those documents told the whole +story and contained enough proof to break up this conspiracy and +convict the Judge and McNamara and all the rest, but Struve kept the +bundle in his safe and wouldn't give it up without a price. That's why +she went away with him--She thought it was right, and--that's all. But +it seems Wheaton had succeeded in another way. Now, I'm coming to the +point. The Judge and McNamara are arrested for contempt of court and +they're as good as convicted; you have recovered your mine, and these +men are disgraced. They will go to jail--" + +"Yes, for six months, perhaps," broke in the other, hotly, "but what +does that amount to? There never was a bolder crime consummated nor one +more cruelly unjust. They robbed a realm and pillaged its people, they +defiled a court and made Justice a wanton, they jailed good men and +sent others to ruin; and for this they are to suffer--how? By a paltry +fine or a short imprisonment, perhaps, by an ephemeral disgrace and the +loss of their stolen goods. Contempt of court is the accusation, but +you might as well convict a murderer for breach of the peace. We've +thrown them 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 +unpunished while their lawyers quibble over technicalities and rules of +court. I guess it's true that there isn't any law 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 enemies 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, taking a packet from +her bosom as she began: + +"This will tell the whole wretched story, Mr. Glenister, and show the +plot in all its vileness. It's hard for me to betray my uncle, but this +proof is yours by right to use as you see fit, and I can't keep it." + +"Do you mean that this evidence will show all that? And you're going to +give it to me because you think it is your duty?" + +"It belongs to you. I have no choice. But what I came for was to plead +and to ask a little mercy for my uncle, who is an old, old man, and +very weak. This will kill him." + +He saw that her eyes were swimming while the little chin quivered ever +so slightly and her pale cheeks were flushed. There rose in him the old +wild desire to take her in his arms, a yearning to pillow her head on +his shoulder and kiss away the tears, to smooth with tender caress the +wavy hair, and bury his face deep in it till he grew drunk with the +madness of her. But he knew at last for whom she really pleaded. + +So he was to forswear this vengeance, which was no vengeance after all, +but in verity a just punishment. They asked him--a man--a man's man--a +Northman--to do this, and for what? For no reward, but on the contrary +to insure himself lasting bitterness. He strove to look at the +proposition calmly, clearly, but it was difficult. If only by freeing +this other villain as well as her uncle he would do a good to her, then +he would not hesitate. Love was not the only thing. He marvelled at his +own attitude; this could not be his old self debating thus. He had +asked for another chance to show that he was not the old Roy Glenister; +well, it had come, and he was ready. + +Roy dared not look at Helen any more, for this was the hardest moment +he had ever lived. + +"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 almost too much to ask," the Kid took up, uncertainly. "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 his 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 ostentation, and tossed the fragments away, while the +woman began to sob softly, the sound of her relief alone disturbing the +silence. And so he gave her his enemy, making his offer 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 dying 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, becoming 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 medical +attention--so left the cabin and walked down into the city. He +encountered Dextry and Simms on the way, and they went with him, both +flowing with the gossip of the camp. + +"Lord, but you're the talk of the town," they began. "The curio hunters +have commenced to pull Struve's office apart for souvenirs, and the +Swedes want to run you for Congress as soon as ever we get admitted as +a State. They say that at collar-an'-elbow holts you could lick any of +them Eastern senators and thereby rastle out a lot of good legislation +for us cripples up here." + +"Speakin' of laws goes to show me that this here country is gettin' too +blamed civilized for a white man," said Simms, pessimistically, "and +now that this fight is ended up it don't look like there would be +anything doin' fit to claim the interest of a growed-up person for a +long while. I'm goin' west." + +"West! Why, you can throw a stone into Bering Strait from here," said +Roy, smiling. + +"Oh, well, the world's round. There's a schooner outfittin' for +Sibeery--two years' cruise. Me an' Dex is figgerin' on gettin' out +towards the frontier fer a spell." + +"Sure!" said Dextry. "I'm beginnin' to feel all cramped up hereabouts +owin' to these fillymonarch orchestras an' French restarawnts and such +discrepancies of scenery. They're puttin' a pavement on Front Street +and there's a 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 dress suit. Better come along, Roy; we can sell out the +Midas." + +"I'll think it over," said the young man. + +The night was bright with a full moon when they 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 that 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, seeking 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 monotonously. "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 ocean. "It all +depends." After a moment, she added, "What a pity that we can't all +sponge off the slate and begin afresh and--forget." + +"It's part of the game," said he. "I don't know why it's so, but it is. +I'll see you sometimes, won't I?" + +"No, boy--I think not." + +"I believe I understand," he murmured; "and perhaps it's better so." He +took her two soft hands in his one good right and kissed them. "God +bless you and keep you, dear, brave little Cherry." + +She stood straight and still as he melted into the shadows, and only +the moonlight heard her pitiful sob and her hopeless whisper: + +"Good-bye, my boy, my boy." + +He wandered down beside the sea, for his battle was not yet won, and +until he was surer of himself he could not endure the ribaldry and +rejoicing of his fellows. A welcome lay waiting for him in every public +place, but no one there could know the mockery of it, no one could +gauge the desolation that was his. + +The sand, wet, packed, and hard as a pavement, gave no sound to his +careless steps; and thus it was that he came silently upon the one +woman as she stood beside the silver surf. Had he seen her first he +would have slunk past in the landward shadows; but, recognizing his +tall form, she called and he came, while it seemed that his lungs grew +suddenly constricted, as though bound about with steel hoops. The very +pleasure of her sight pained him. He advanced eagerly, and yet with +hesitation, standing stiffly aloof while his heart fluttered and his +tongue grew dumb. At last she saw his bandages and her manner changed +abruptly. Coming closer she touched them with caressing fingers. + +"It's nothing--nothing at all," he said, while his voice jumped out of +all control. "When are you--going away?" + +"I do not know--not for some time." + +He had supposed she would go to-morrow with her uncle and--the other, +to be with them through their travail. + +With warm impetuosity she began: "It was a noble thing you did to-day. +Oh, I am glad and proud." + +"I prefer you to think of me in that way, rather than as the wild beast +you saw this morning, for I was mad, perfectly mad with hatred and +revenge, and every wild impulse that comes to a defeated man. You see, +I had played and lost, played and lost, again and again, till there was +nothing left. What mischance brought you there? It was a terribly +brutal thing, but you can't understand." + +"But I can understand. I do. I know all about it now. I know the wild +rage of desperation; I know the exultation of victory; I know what hate +and fear are now. You told me once that the wilderness had made you a +savage, and I laughed at it just as I did when you said that my contact +with big things would teach me the truth, that we're all alike, and +that those motives are in us all. I see now that you were right and I +was very simple. I learned a great deal last night." + +"I have learned much also," said he. "I wish you might teach me more." + +"I--I--don't think I could teach you any more," she hesitated. + +He moved as though to speak, but held back and tore his eyes away from +her. + +"Well," she inquired, gazing at him covertly. + +"Once, a long time ago, I read a Lover's Petition, and ever since +knowing you I have made the constant prayer that I might be given the +purity to be worthy the good in you, and that you might be granted the +patience to reach the good in me--but it's no use. But at least I'm +glad we have met on common ground, as it were, and that you understand, +in a measure. The prayer could not be answered; but through it I have +found myself and--I have known you. That last is worth more than a +king's ransom to me. It is a holy thing which I shall reverence always, +and when you go you will leave me lonely except for its remembrance." + +"But I am not going," she said. "That is--unless--" + +Something in her voice swept his gaze back from the shimmering causeway +that rippled seaward to the rising moon. It brought the breath into his +throat, and he shook as though seized by a great fear. + +"Unless--what?" + +"Unless you want me to." + +"Oh, God! don't play with me!" He flung out his hand as though to stop +her while his voice died out to a supplicating hoarseness. "I can't +stand that." + +"Don't you see? Won't you see?" she asked. "I was waiting here for the +courage to go to you since you have made it so very hard for me--my +pagan." With which she came close to him, looking upward into his face, +smiling a little, shrinking a little, yielding yet withholding, while +the moonlight made of her eyes two bottomless, boundless pools, dark +with love, and brimming with the promise of his dreams. + +THE END + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spoilers, by Rex Beach + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPOILERS *** + +***** This file should be named 5076.txt or 5076.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/7/5076/ + +Produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Spoilers + +Author: Rex Beach + +Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5076] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on April 16, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE SPOILERS *** + + + + +This eBook was produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + +THE SPOILERS + +By REX BEACH + +Author of "THE AUCTION BLOCK" "RAINBOW'S END" "THE IRON TRAIL" +Etc. + + +Illustrated + + + + + THIS BOOK +IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO + MY MOTHER + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + I. THE ENCOUNTER + + II. THE STOWAWAY + + III. IN WHICH GLENISTER ERRS + + IV. THE KILLING + + V. WHEREIN A MAN APPEARS + + VI. AND A MINE IS JUMPED + + VII. THE "BRONCO KID'S" EAVESDROPPING + + VIII. DEXTRY MAKES A CALL + + IX. SLUICE ROBBERS + + X. THE WIT OF AN ADVENTURESS + + XI. WHEREIN A WRIT AND A RIOT FAIL + + XII. COUNTERPLOTS + + XIII. IN WHICH A MAN IS POSSESSED OF A DEVIL + + XIV. A MIDNIGHT MESSENGER + + XV. VIGILANTES + + XVI. IN WHICH THE TRUTH BEGINS TO BARE ITSELF + + XVII. THE DRIP OF WATER IN THE DARK + +XVIII. WHEREIN A TRAP IS BAITED + + XIX. DYNAMITE + + XX. IN WHICH THREE GO TO THE SIGN OF THE SLED AND BUT TWO RETURN + + XXI. THE HAMMER-LOCK + + XXII. THE PROMISE OF DREAMS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE ENCOUNTER + + +Glenister gazed out over the harbor, agleam with the lights of +anchored ships, then up at the crenelated mountains, black against +the sky. He drank the cool air burdened with its taints of the +sea, while the blood of his boyhood leaped within him. + +"Oh, it's fine--fine," he murmured, "and this is my country--my +country, after all, Dex. It's in my veins, this hunger for the +North. I grow. I expand." + +"Careful you don't bust," warned Dextry. "I've seen men get plumb +drunk on mountain air. Don't expand too strong in one spot." He +went back abruptly to his pipe, its villanous fumes promptly +averting any danger of the air's too tonic quality. + +"Gad! What a smudge!" sniffed the younger man. "You ought to be in +quarantine." + +"I'd ruther smell like a man than talk like a kid. You desecrate +the hour of meditation with rhapsodies on nature when your +aesthetics ain't honed up to the beauties of good tobacco." + +The other laughed, inflating his deep chest. In the gloom he +stretched his muscles restlessly, as though an excess of vigor +filled him. + +They were lounging upon the dock, while before them lay the Santa +Maria ready for her midnight sailing. Behind slept Unalaska, +quaint, antique, and Russian, rusting amid the fogs of Bering Sea. +Where, a week before, mild-eyed natives had dried their cod among +the old bronze cannon, now a frenzied horde of gold-seekers paused +in 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 fortune 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 armies. +Glenister 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," Glenister broke out +again. "Away from the cities I turn savage. I feel the old +primitive passions--the fret for fighting." + +"Mebbe you'll have a chance." + +"How so?" + +"Well, it's this way. I met Mexico Mullins this mornin'. You mind +old Mexico, don't you? The feller that relocated Discovery Claim +on Anvil Creek last summer?" + +"You don't mean that 'tin-horn' the boys were going to lynch for +claim-jumping?" + +"Identical! Remember me tellin' you about a good turn I done him +once down Guadalupe way?" + +"Greaser shooting-scrape, wasn't it?" + +"Yep! Well, I noticed first off that he's gettin fat; high-livin' +fat, too, all in one spot, like he was playin' both ends ag'in the +centre. Also he wore di'mon's fit to handle with ice-tongs. + +"Says I, lookin' at his side elevation, 'What's accented your +middle syllable so strong, Mexico?' + +"'Prosperity, politics, an' the Waldorf-Astorier,' says he. It +seems Mex hadn't forgot old days. He claws me into a corner an' +says, 'Bill, I'm goin' to pay you back for that Moralez deal.' + +"'It ain't comin' to me,' says I. 'That's a bygone!' + +"'Listen here,' says he, an', seein' he was in earnest, I let him +run on. + +"'How much do you value that claim o' yourn at?' + +'"Hard tellin',' says I. 'If she holds out like she run last fall, +there'd ought to be a million clear in her." + +"'How much'll you clean up this summer?' + +"''Bout four hundred thousand, with luck.' + +"'Bill,' says he, 'there's hell a-poppin' an' you've got to watch +that ground like you'd watch a rattle-snake. Don't never leave 'em +get a grip on it or you're down an' out.' + +"He was so plumb in earnest it scared me up, 'cause Mexico ain't a +gabby man. + +"'What do you mean?' says I. + +"'I can't tell you nothin' more. I'm puttin' a 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 just 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 him clost. I can't tell you no more. But don't never let 'em +get a grip on your ground.' That's all he'd say." + +"Bah! He's crazy! 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! 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. + +"Stop! Stop there!" + +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. + +"Don't let them get me," she panted. + +He turned to his partner in puzzled inquiry, but found that the +old man had crossed to the head of the landing ladder up which the +pursuers were climbing. + +"Just a minute--you there! Back up or I'll kick your face in." +Dextry's voice was sharp and unexpected, and in the darkness he +loomed tall and menacing to those below. + +"Get out of the way. That woman's a runaway," came from the one +highest on the ladder. + +"So I jedge." + +"She broke qu--" + +"Shut up!" broke in another. "Do you want to advertise it? Get out +of the way, there, ye damn fool! Climb up, Thorsen." He spoke like +a bucko mate, and his words stirred the bile of Dextry. + +Thorsen grasped the dock floor, trying to climb up, but the old +miner stamped on his fingers and the sailor loosened his hold with +a yell, carrying the under men with him to the beach in his fall. + +"This way! Follow me!" shouted the mate, making up the bank for +the shore end of the wharf. + +"You'd better pull your freight, miss," Dextry remarked; "they'll +be here in a minute." + +"Yes, yes! Let us go! I must get aboard the Santa Maria. She's +leaving now. Come, come!" + +Glenister laughed, as though there were a humorous touch in her +remark, but did not stir. + +"I'm gettin' awful old an' stiff to run," said Dextry, removing +his mackinaw, "but I allow I ain't too old for a little diversion +in the way of a rough-house when it comes nosin' around." He moved +lightly, though the girl could see in the half-darkness that his +hair was silvery. + +"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 dockhouse, backing against it. The girl +followed. + +Again came the warning blast from the steamer, and the voice of an +officer: + +"Clear away that stern line!" + +"Oh, we'll be left!" 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'll get +hurt if you stay here. Run along and don't mind us. We've been +thirty days on shipboard, 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 sound of fist on flesh, then the blot +split up and forms plunged outward, falling heavily. Again the +sailors rushed, attempting to clinch. They massed upon Dextry only +to grasp empty air, for he shifted with remarkable agility, +striking bitterly, as an old wolf snaps. It was baffling work, +however, for in the darkness his blows fell short or overreached. + +Glenister, on the other hand, stood carelessly, beating 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 her more than a din, and yet she stayed, crouched +against the wall. + +Dextry swung at a dim target, and, missing it, was whirled off his +balance. Instantly his antagonist grappled with him, and they fell +to the floor, while a third man shuffled about them. The girl +throttled a scream. + +"I'm goin' to kick 'im, Bill," the man panted hoarsely. "Le' me +fix 'im." He swung his heavy shoe, and Bill cursed with stirring +eloquence. + +"Ow! You're kickin' me! I've got 'im, safe enough. Tackle the big +un." + +Bill's ally then started towards the others, his body bent, his +arms flexed yet hanging loosely. He crouched beside the girl, +ignoring her, while she heard the breath wheezing from his lungs; +then silently he leaped. Glenister had hurled a man from him, then +stepped back to avoid the others, when he was seized from behind +and felt the man's arms wrapped about his neck, the sailor's legs +locked about his thighs. Now came the girl's first knowledge of +real fighting. The two spun back and forth so closely entwined as +to be indistinguishable, the others holding off. For what seemed +many minutes they struggled, the young man striving to reach his +adversary, till they crashed against the wall near her and she +heard her champion's breath coughing in his throat at the +tightening grip of the sailor. Fright held her paralyzed, for she +had never seen men thus. A moment and Glenister would be down +beneath their stamping feet--they would kick his life out with +their heavy shoes. At thought of it, the necessity of action smote +her like a blow in the face. Her terror fell away, her shaking +muscles stiffened, and before realizing what she did she had +acted. + +The seaman's back was to her. She reached out and gripped him by +the hair, while her fingers, tense as talons, sought his eyes. +Then the first loud sound of the battle arose. The man yelled in +sudden terror; and the others as suddenly fell back. The next +instant she felt a hand upon her shoulder and heard Dextry's +voice. + +"Are ye hurt? No? Come on, then, or we'll get left." He spoke +quietly, though his breath was loud, and, glancing down, she saw +the huddled form of the sailor whom he had fought. + +"That's all right--he ain't hurt. It's a Jap trick I learned. +Hurry up!" + +They ran swiftly down the wharf, followed by Glenister and by the +groans of the sailors in whom the lust for combat had been +quenched. As they scrambled up the Santa Maria's gang-plank, a +strip of water widened between the boat and the pier. + +"Close shave, that," panted Glenister, feeling his throat +gingerly, "but I wouldn't have missed it for a spotted pup." + +"I've been through b'iler explosions and snowslides, not to +mention a triflin' jail-delivery, but fer real sprightly +diversions I don't recall nothin' more pleasin' than this." +Dextry's enthusiasm was boylike. + +"What kind of men are you?" the girl laughed nervously, but got no +answer. + +They led her to their deck cabin, where they switched on the +electric light, blinking at each other and at their unknown guest. + +They saw a graceful and altogether attractive figure in a trim, +short skirt and long, tan boots. But what Glenister first saw was +her eyes; large and gray, almost brown under the electric light. +They were active eyes, he thought, and they flashed swift, +comprehensive glances at the two men. Her hair had fallen loose +and crinkled to her waist, all agleam. Otherwise she showed no +sign of her recent ordeal. + +Glenister had been prepared for the type of beauty that follows +the frontier; beauty that may stun, but that has the polish and +chill of a new-ground bowie. Instead, this girl with the calm, +reposeful face struck a note almost painfully different from her +surroundings, suggesting countless pleasant things that had been +strange to him for the past few years. + +Pure admiration alone was patent in the older man's gaze. + +"I make oration," said he, "that you're the gamest little chap I +ever fought over, Mexikin, Injun, or white. What's the trouble?" + +"I suppose you think I've done something dreadful, don't you?" she +said. "But I haven't. I had to get away from the Ohio to-night +for--certain reasons. I'll tell you all about it to-morrow. I +haven't stolen anything, nor poisoned the crew--really I haven't." +She smiled at them, and Glenister found it impossible not to smile +with her, though dismayed by her feeble explanation. + +"Well, I'll wake up the steward and find a place for you to go," +he said at length. "You'll have to double up with some of the +women, though; it's awfully crowded aboard." + +She laid a detaining hand on his arm. He thought he felt her +tremble. + +"No, no! I don't want you to do that. They mustn'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 +everything. Wait till to-morrow, please." + +She was very white, and spoke with eager intensity. + +"Help you? Why, sure Mike!" assured the impulsive Dextry, "an', +see here, Miss--you take your time on explanations. We don't care +a cuss what you done. Morals 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 her cheek. She noted him +more carefully; noted his 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, perhaps 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?" + +"She will stay here to-night," said Glenister quickly. "You and I +will go below. Nobody will see her." + +"I can't let you do that," she objected. "Isn't there some place +where I can hide?" But they reassured her and left. + +When they had gone, she crouched trembling upon her seat for a +long time, gazing fixedly before her. "I'm afraid!" she whispered; +"I'm afraid. What am I getting into? Why do men look so at me? I'm +frightened. Oh, I'm sorry I undertook it." At last she rose +wearily. The close cabin oppressed her; she felt the need of fresh +air. So, turning out the lights, she stepped forth into the night. +Figures loomed near the rail and she slipped astern, screening +herself behind a life-boat, where the cool breeze fanned her face. + +The forms she had seen approached, speaking earnestly. Instead of +passing, they stopped abreast of her hiding-place; then, as they +began to talk, she saw that her retreat was cut off and that she +must not stir. + +"What brings her here?" Glenister was echoing a question of +Dextry's. "Bah! What brings them all? What brought 'the Duchess,' +and Cherry Malotte, and all the rest?" + +"No, no," said the old man. "She ain't that kind--she's too fine, +too delicate--too pretty." + +"That's just it--too pretty! Too pretty to be alone--or anything +except what she is." + +Dextry growled sourly. "This country has plumb ruined you, boy. +You think they're all alike--an' I don't know but they are--all +but this girl. Seems like she's different, somehow--but I can't +tell." + +Glenister spoke musingly: + +"I had an ancestor who buccaneered among the Indies, a long time +ago--so I'm told. Sometimes I think I have his disposition. He +comes and whispers things to me in the night. Oh, he was a devil, +and I've got his blood in me--untamed and hot--I can hear him +saying something now--something about the spoils of war. Ha, ha! +Maybe he's right. I fought for her to-night--Dex--the way he used +to fight for his sweethearts along the Mexicos. She's too +beautiful to be good--and 'there's never a law of God or man runs +north of Fifty-three.'" + +They moved on, his vibrant, cynical laughter stabbing the girl +till she leaned against the yawl for support. + +She held herself together while the blood beat thickly in her +ears, then fled to the cabin, hurling herself into her berth, +where she writhed silently, beating the pillow with hands into +which her nails had bitten, staring the while into the darkness +with dry and aching eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE STOWAWAY + + +She awoke to the throb of the engines, and, gazing cautiously +through her stateroom window, saw a glassy, level sea, with the +sun brightly agleam on it. + +So this was Bering? She had clothed it always with the mystery of +her school-days, thinking of it as a weeping, fog-bound stretch of +gray waters. Instead, she saw a flat, sunlit main, with occasional +sea-parrots flapping their fat bodies out of the ship's course. A +glistening head popped up from the waters abreast, and she heard +the cry of "seal!" + +Dressing, the girl noted minutely the personal articles scattered +about the cabin, striving to derive therefrom some fresh hint of +the characteristics of the owners. First, there was an elaborate, +copper-backed toilet-set, all richly ornamented and leather-bound. +The metal was magnificently hand-worked and bore Glenister's +initial. It spoke of elegant extravagance, and seemed oddly out of +place in an Arctic miner's equipment, as did also a small set of +De Maupassant. + +Next, she picked up Kipling's Seven Seas, marked liberally, and +felt that she had struck a scent. The roughness and brutality of +the poems had always chilled her, though she had felt vaguely +their splendid pulse and swing. This was the girl's first venture +from a sheltered life. She had not rubbed elbows with the world +enough to find that Truth may be rough, unshaven, and garbed in +homespun. The book confirmed her analysis of the junior partner. + +Pendent from a hook was a worn and blackened holster from which +peeped the butt of a large Colt's revolver, showing evidence of +many years' service. It spoke mutely of the white-haired Dextry, +who, before her inspection was over, knocked at the door, and, +when she admitted him, addressed her cautiously: + +"The boy's down forrad, teasin' grub out of a flunky. He'll be up +in a minute. How'd ye sleep?" + +"Very well, thank you," she lied, "but I've been thinking that I +ought to explain myself to you." + +"Now, see here," the old man interjected, "there ain't no +explanations needed till you feel like givin' them up. You was in +trouble--that's unfortunate; we help you--that's natural; no +questions asked--that's Alaska." + +"Yes--but I know you must think--" + +"What bothers me," the other continued irrelevantly, "is how in +blazes we're goin' to keep you hid. The steward's got to make up +this room, and somebody's bound to see us packin' grub in." + +"I don't care who knows if they won't send me back. They wouldn't +do that, would they?" She hung anxiously on his words. + +"Send you back? Why, don't you savvy that this boat is bound for +Nome? There ain't no turnin' back on gold stampedes, and this is +the wildest rush the world ever saw. The captain wouldn't turn +back--he couldn't--his cargo's too precious and the company pays +five thousand a day for this ship. No, we ain't puttin' back to +unload no stowaways at five thousand per. Besides, we passengers +wouldn't let him--time's too precious." They were interrupted by +the rattle of dishes outside, and Dextry was about to open the +door when his hand wavered uncertainly above the knob, for he +heard the hearty greeting of the ship's captain. + +"Well, well, Glenister, where's all the breakfast going?" + +"Oo!" whispered the old man--"that's Cap' Stephens." + +"Dextry isn't feeling quite up to form this morning," replied +Glenister easily. + +"Don't wonder! Why weren't you aboard sooner last night? I saw +you--'most got left, eh? Served you right if you had." Then his +voice dropped to the confidential: "I'd advise you to cut out +those women. Don't misunderstand me, boy, but they're a bad lot on +this boat. I saw you come aboard. Take my word for it--they're a +bad lot. Cut 'em out. Guess I'll step inside and see what's up +with Dextry." + +The girl shrank into her corner, gazing apprehensively at the +other listener. + +"Well--er--he isn't up yet," they heard Glenister stammer; "better +come around later." + +"Nonsense; it's time he was dressed." The master's voice was +gruffly good-natured. "Hello, Dextry! Hey! Open up for +inspection." He rattled the door. + +There was nothing to be done. The old miner darted an inquiring +glance at his companion, then, at her nod, slipped the bolt, and +the captain's blue bulk filled the room. + +His grizzled, close-bearded face was genially wrinkled till he +spied the erect, gray figure in the corner, when his cap came off +involuntarily. There his courtesy ended, however, and the smile +died coldly from his face. His eyes narrowed, and the good- +fellowship fell away, leaving him the stiff and formal officer. + +"Ah," he said, "not feeling well, eh? I thought I had met all of +our lady passengers. Introduce me, Dextry." + +Dextry squirmed under his cynicism. + +"Well--I--ah--didn't catch the name myself." + +"What?" + +"Oh, there ain't much to say. This is the lady--we brought aboard +last night--that's all." + +"Who gave you permission?" + +"Nobody. There wasn't time." + +"There wasn't TIME, eh? Which one of you conceived the novel +scheme of stowing away ladies in your cabin? Whose is she? Quick! +Answer me." Indignation was vibrant in his voice. + +"Oh!" the girl cried--her eyes widening darkly. She stood slim and +pale and slightly trembling. + +His words had cut her bitterly, though through it all he had +scrupulously avoided addressing her. + +The captain turned to Glenister, who had entered and closed the +door. + +"Is this your work? Is she yours?" + +"No," he answered quietly, while Dextry chimed in: + +"Better hear details, captain, before you make breaks like that. +We helped the lady side-step some sailors last night and we most +got left doing it. It was up to her to make a quick get-away, so +we helped her aboard." + +"A poor story! What was she running away from?" He still addressed +the men, ignoring her completely, till, with hoarse voice, she +broke in: + +"You mustn't talk about me that way--I can answer your questions. +It's true--I ran away. I had to. The sailors came after me and +fought with these men. I had to get away quickly, and your friends +helped me on here from gentlemanly kindness, because they saw me +unprotected. They are still protecting me. I can't explain how +important it is for me to reach Nome on the first boat, because it +isn't my secret. It was important enough to make me leave my uncle +at Seattle at an hour's notice when we found there was no one else +who could go. That's all I can say. I took my maid with me, but +the sailors caught her just as she was following me down the +ship's ladder. She had my bag of clothes when they seized her. I +cast off the rope and rowed ashore as fast as I could, but they +lowered another boat and followed me." + +The captain eyed her sharply, and his grim lines softened a bit, +for she was clean-cut and womanly, and utterly out of place, He +took her in, shrewdly, detail by detail, then spoke directly to +her: + +"My dear young lady--the other ships will get there just as +quickly as ours, maybe more quickly. To-morrow we strike the ice- +pack and then it is all a matter of luck." + +"Yes, but the ship I left won't get there." + +At this the commander started, and, darting a great, thick- +fingered hand at her, spoke savagely: + +"What's that? What ship? Which one did you come from? Answer me." + +"The Ohio," she replied, with the effect of a hand-grenade. The +master glared at her. + +"The Ohio! Good God! You DARE to stand there and tell me that?" He +turned and poured his rage upon the others. + +"She says the Ohio, d'ye hear? You've ruined me! I'll put you in +irons--all of you. The Ohio!" + +"What d'ye mean? What's up?" + +"What's up? There's small-pox aboard the Ohio! This girl has +broken quarantine. The health inspectors bottled up the boat at +six o'clock last night! That's why I pulled out of Unalaska ahead +of time, to avoid any possible delay. Now we'll all be held up +when we get to Nome. Great Heavens! do you realize what this +means--bringing this hussy aboard?" + +His eyes burned and his voice shook, while the two partners stared +at each other in dismay. Too well they knew the result of a small- +pox panic aboard this crowded troop-ship. Not only was every +available cabin bulging with passengers, but the lower decks were +jammed with both humanity and live stock all in the most +unsanitary conditions. The craft, built for three hundred +passengers, was carrying triple her capacity; men and women were +stowed away like cattle. Order and a half-tolerable condition were +maintained only by the efforts of the passengers themselves, who +held to the thought that imprisonment and inconvenience would last +but a few days longer. They had been aboard three weeks and every +heart was aflame with the desire to reach Nome--to reach it ahead +of the pressing horde behind. + +What would be the temper of this gold-frenzied army if thrown into +quarantine within sight of their goal? The impatient hundreds +would have to lie packed in their floating prison, submitting to +the foul disease. Long they must lie thus, till a month should +have passed after the disappearance of the last symptom. If the +disease recurred sporadically, that might mean endless weeks of +maddening idleness. It might even be impossible to impose the +necessary restraint; there would be violence, perhaps mutiny. + +The fear of the sickness was nothing to Dextry and Glenister, but +of their mine they thought with terror. What would happen in their +absence, where conditions were as unsettled as in this new land; +where titles were held only by physical possession of the +premises? During the long winter of their absence, ice had held +their treasure inviolate, but with the warming summer the jewel +they had fought for so wearily would lie naked and exposed to the +first comer. The Midas lay in the valley of the richest creek, +where men had schemed and fought and slain for the right to +inches. It was the fruit of cheerless, barren years of toil, and +if they could not guard it--they knew the result. + +The girl interrupted their distressing reflections. + +"Don't blame these men, sir," she begged the captain. "I am the +only one at fault. Oh! I HAD to get away. I have papers here that +must be delivered quickly." She laid a hand upon her bosom. "They +couldn't be trusted to the unsettled mail service. It's almost +life and death. And I assure you there is no need of putting me in +quarantine. I haven't the smallpox. I wasn't even exposed to it." + +"There's nothing else to do," said Stephens. "I'll isolate you in +the deck smoking-cabin. God knows what these madmen on board will +do when they hear about it, though. They're apt to tear you to +shreds. They're crazy!" + +Glenister had been thinking rapidly. + +"If you do that, you'll have mutiny in an hour. This isn't the +crowd to stand that sort of thing." + +"Bah! Let 'em try it. I'll put 'em down." The officer's square +jaws clicked. + +"Maybe so; but what then? We reach Nome and the Health Inspector +hears of small-pox suspects, then we're all quarantined for thirty +days; eight hundred of us. We'll lie at Egg Island all summer +while your company pays five thousand a day for this ship. That's +not all. The firm is liable in damages for your carelessness in +letting disease aboard." + +"MY CARELESSNESS!" The old man ground his teeth. + +"Yes; that's what it amounts to. You'll ruin your owners, all +right. You'll tie up your ship and lose your job, that's a cinch!" + +Captain Stephens wiped the moisture from his brow angrily. + +"My carelessness! Curse you--you say it well. Don't you realize +that I am criminally liable if I don't take every precaution?" He +paused for a moment, considering. "I'll hand her over to the +ship's doctor." + +"See here, now," Glenister urged. "We'll be in Nome in a week-- +before the young lady would have time to show symptoms of the +disease, even if she were going to have it--and a thousand to one +she hasn't been exposed, and will never show a trace of it. Nobody +knows she's aboard but we three. Nobody will see her get off. +She'll stay in this cabin, which will be just as effectual as +though you isolated her in any other part of the boat. It will +avoid a panic--you'll save your ship and your company--no one will +be the wiser--then if the girl comes down with small-pox after she +gets ashore, she can go to the pest-house and not jeopardize the +health of all the people aboard this ship. You go up forrad to +your bridge, sir, and forget that you stepped in to see old Bill +Dextry this morning. Well take care of this matter all right. It +means as much to us as it does to you. We've GOT to be on Anvil +Creek before the ground thaws or we'll lose the Midas. If you make +a fuss, you'll ruin us all." + +For some moments they watched him breathlessly as he frowned in +indecision, then-- + +"You'll have to look out for the steward," he said, and the girl +sank to a stool while two great tears rolled down her cheeks. The +captain's eyes softened and his voice was gentle as he laid his +hand on her head. + +"Don't feel hurt over what I said, miss. You see, appearances +don't tell much, hereabouts--most of the pretty ones are no good. +They've fooled me many a time, and I made a mistake. These men +will help you through; I can't. Then when you get to Nome, make +your sweetheart marry you the day you land. You are too far north +to be alone." + +He stepped out into the passage and closed the door carefully. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +IN WHICH GLENISTER ERRS + + +"Well, bein' as me an' Glenister is gougin' into the bowels of +Anvil Creek all last summer, we don't really get the fresh-grub +habit fastened on us none. You see, the gamblers down-town cop out +the few aigs an' green vegetables that stray off the ships, so +they never get out as far as the Creek none; except, maybe, in the +shape of anecdotes. + +"We don't get intimate with no nutriments except hog-boosum an' +brown beans, of which luxuries we have unstinted measure, an' +bein' as this is our third year in the country we hanker for bony +fido grub, somethin' scan'lous. Yes, ma'am--three years without a +taste of fresh fruit nor meat nor nuthin'--except pork an' beans. +Why, I've et bacon till my immortal soul has growed a rind. + +"When it comes time to close down the claim, the boy is sick with +the fever an' the only ship in port is a Point Barrow whaler, +bound for Seattle. After I book our passage, I find they have +nothin' aboard to eat except canned salmon, it bein' the end of a +two years' cruise, so when I land in the States after seventeen +days of a fish diet, I am what you might call sated with canned +grub, and have added salmon to the list of things concernin' which +I am goin' to economize. + +"Soon's ever I get the boy into a hospital, I gallop up to the +best restarawnt in town an' prepare for the huge pot-latch. This +here, I determine, is to be a gormandizin' jag which shall live in +hist'ry, an' wharof in later years the natives of Puget Sound +shall speak with bated breath. + +"First, I call for five dollars' worth of pork an' beans an' then +a full-grown platter of canned salmon. When the waiter lays 'em +out in front of me, I look them vittles coldly in their disgustin' +visages, an' say in sarcastic accents: + +"'Set there, damn you! an' watch me eat REAL grub,' which I +proceed to do, cleanin' the menu from soda to hock. When I have +done my worst, I pile bones an' olive seeds an' peelin's all over +them articles of nourishment, stick toothpicks into 'em, an' +havin' offered 'em what other indignities occur to me, I leave the +place." + +Dextry and the girl were leaning over the stern-rail, chatting +idly in the darkness. It was the second night out and the ship lay +dead in the ice-pack. All about them was a flat, floe-clogged sea, +leprous and mottled in the deep twilight that midnight brought in +this latitude. They had threaded into the ice-field as long as the +light lasted, following the lanes of blue water till they closed, +then drifting idly till others appeared; worming out into leagues +of open sea, again creeping into the shifting labyrinth till +darkness rendered progress perilous. + +Occasionally they had passed herds of walrus huddled sociably upon +ice-pans, their wet hides glistening in the sunlight. The air had +been clear and pleasant, while away on all quarters they had seen +the smoke of other ships toiling through the barrier. The spring +fleet was knocking at the door of the Golden North. + +Chafing at her imprisonment, the girl had asked the old man to +take her out on deck under the shelter of darkness; then she had +led him to speak of his own past experiences, and of Glenister's; +which he had done freely. She was frankly curious about them, and +she wondered at their apparent lack of interest in her own +identity and her secret mission. She even construed their silence +as indifference, not realizing that these Northmen were offering +her the truest evidence of camaraderie. + +The frontier is capable of no finer compliment than this utter +disregard of one's folded pages. It betokens that highest faith in +one's fellow-man, the belief that he should be measured by his +present deeds, not by his past. It says, translated: "This is +God's free country where a man is a man, nothing more. Our land is +new and pure, our faces are to the front. If you have been square, +so much the better; if not, leave behind the taints of artificial +things and start again on the level--that's all." + +It had happened, therefore, that since the men had asked her no +questions, she had allowed the hours to pass and still hesitated +to explain further than she had explained to Captain Stephens. It +was much easier to let things continue as they were; and there +was, after all, so little that she was at liberty to tell them. + +In the short time since meeting them, the girl had grown to like +Dextry, with his blunt chivalry and boyish, whimsical philosophy, +but she avoided Glenister, feeling a shrinking, hidden terror of +him, ever since her eavesdropping of the previous night. At the +memory of that scene she grew hot, then cold--hot with anger, icy +at the sinister power and sureness which had vibrated in his +voice. What kind of life was she entering where men spoke of +strange women with this assurance and hinted thus of ownership? +That he was handsome and unconscious of it, she acknowledged, and +had she met him in her accustomed circle of friends, garbed in the +conventionalities, she would perhaps have thought of him as a +striking man, vigorous and intelligent; but here he seemed +naturally to take on the attributes of his surroundings, acquiring +a picturesque negligee of dress and morals, and suggesting rugged, +elemental, chilling potentialities. While with him--and he had +sought her repeatedly that day--she was uneasily aware of his +strong personality tugging at her; aware of the unbridled +passionate flood of a nature unbrooking of delay and heedless of +denial. This it was that antagonized her and set her every mental +sinew in rigid resistance. + +During Dextry's garrulous ramblings, Glenister emerged from the +darkness and silently took his place beside her, against the rail. + +"What portent do you see that makes you stare into the night so +anxiously?" he inquired. + +"I am wishing for a sight of the midnight sun or the aurora +borealis," she replied. + +"Too late for one an' too fur south for the other," Dextry +interposed. "We'll see the sun further north, though." + +"Have you ever heard the real origin of the Northern Lights?" the +young man inquired. + +"Naturally, I never have," she answered. + +"Well, here it is. I have it from the lips of a great hunter of +the Tananas. He told it to me when I was sick, once, in his cabin, +and inasmuch as he is a wise Indian and has a reputation for +truth, I have no doubt that it is scrupulously correct. + +"In the very old days, before the white man or corned beef had +invaded this land, the greatest tribe in all the North was the +Tananas. The bravest hunter of these was Itika, the second chief. +He could follow a moose till it fell exhausted in the snow and he +had many belts made from the claws of the brown bear which is +deadly wicked and, as every one knows, inhabited by the spirits of +'Yabla-men,' or devils. + +"One winter a terrible famine settled over the Tanana Valley. The +moose departed from the gulches and the caribou melted from the +hills like mist. The dogs grew gaunt and howled all night, the +babies cried, the women became hollow-eyed and peevish. + +"Then it was that Itika decided to go hunting over the saw-tooth +range which formed the edge of the world. They tried to dissuade +him, saying it was certain death because a pack of monstrous white +wolves, taller than the moose and swifter than the eagle, was +known to range these mountains, running madly in chase. Always, on +clear, cold nights, could be seen the flashing of the moonbeams +from their gleaming hungry sides, and although many hunters had +crossed the passes in other years, they never returned, for the +pack slew them. + +"Nothing could deter Itika, however, so he threaded his way up +through the range and, night coming, burrowed into a drift to +sleep in his caribou-skin. Peering out into the darkness, he saw +the flashing lights a thousand times brighter than ever before. +The whole heavens were ablaze with shifting streamers that raced +and writhed back and forth in wild revel. Listening, he heard the +hiss and whine of dry snow under the feet of the pack, and a +distant noise as of rushing winds, although the air was deathly +still. + +"With daylight, he proceeded through the range, till he came out +above a magnificent valley. Descending the slope, he entered a +forest of towering spruce, while on all sides the snow was +trampled with tracks as wide as a snow-shoe. There came to him a +noise which, as he proceeded, increased till it filled the woods. +It was a frightful din, as though a thousand wolves were howling +with the madness of the kill. Cautiously creeping nearer, he found +a monstrous white animal struggling beneath a spruce which had +fallen upon it in such fashion as to pinion it securely. + +"All brave men are tender-hearted, so Itika set to work with his +axe and cleared away the burden, regardless of the peril to +himself. When he had released it, the beast arose and instead of +running away addressed him in the most polite and polished Indian, +without a trace of accent. + +"'You have saved my life. Now, what can I do for you?' + +"'I want to hunt in this valley. My people are starving,' said +Itika, at which the wolf was greatly pleased and rounded up the +rest of the pack to help in the kill. + +"Always 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, in a multitude, while the light +of the moon flickers from their white sides, flashing up into the +sky in weird, fantastic figures. Some people call it Northern +Lights, but old Isaac assured me earnestly, toothlessly, and with +the light of ancient truth, as I lay snow-blind in his lodge, that +it is nothing more remarkable than the spirit of Itika and the +great white wolves." + +"What a queer legend!" she said. "There must be many of them in +this country. I feel that I am going to like the North." + +"Perhaps you will," Glenister replied, "although it is not a +woman's land." + +"Tell me what led you out here in the first place. You are an +Eastern man. You have had advantages, education--and yet you +choose this. You must love the North." + +"Indeed I do! It calls to a fellow in some strange way that a +gentler country never could. When once you've lived the long, lazy +June days that never end, and heard geese honking under a warm, +sunlit midnight; or when once you've hit the trail on a winter +morning so sharp and clear that the air stings your lungs, and the +whole white, silent world glistens like a jewel; yes--and when +you've seen the dogs romping in harness till the sled runners +ring; and the distant mountain-ranges come out like beautiful +carvings, so close you can reach them--well, there's something in +it that brings you back--that's all, no matter where you've lost +yourself. It means health and equality and unrestraint. That's +what I like best, I dare say--the utter unrestraint. + +"When I was a school-boy, I used to gaze at the map of Alaska for +hours. I'd lose myself in it. It wasn't anything but a big, blank +corner in the North then, with a name, and mountains, and mystery. +The word 'Yukon' suggested to me everything unknown and weird-- +hairy mastodons, golden river bars, savage Indians with bone +arrow-heads and seal-skin trousers. When I left college I came as +fast as ever I could--the adventure, I suppose.... + +"The law was considered my destiny. How the shades of old Choate +and Webster and Patrick Henry must have wailed when I forswore it. +I'll bet Blackstone 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 in. I'm not contented--don't think that. I'm +ambitious, but I prefer these surroundings to the others--that's +all. I'm realizing my desires. I've made a fortune--now I'll see +what else the world has." + +He suddenly turned to her. "See here," he abruptly questioned, +"what's your name?" + +She started, and glanced towards where Dextry had stood, only to +find that the old frontiersman had slipped away during the tale. + +"Helen Chester," she replied. + +"Helen Chester," he repeated, musingly. "What a pretty name! It +seems almost a pity to change it--to marry, as you will." + +"I am not going to Nome to get married." + +He glanced at her quickly. + +"Then you won't like this country. You are two years too early; +you ought to wait till there are railroads and telephones, and +tables d'hote, and chaperons. It's a man's country yet." + +"I don't see why it isn't a woman's country, too. Surely we can +take a part in taming it. Yonder on the Oregon is a complete +railroad, which will be running from the coast to the mines in a +few weeks. Another ship back there has the wire and poles and +fixings for a telephone system, which will go up in a night. As to +tables d'hote, I saw a real French count in Seattle with a +monocle. He's bringing in a restaurant outfit, imported snails, +and pate de joies gras. All that's wanting is the chaperon. In my +flight from the Ohio I left mine. The sailors caught her. You see +I am not far ahead of schedule." + +"What part are you going to take in this taming process?" he +asked. + +She paused long before replying, and when she did her answer +sounded like a jest. + +"I herald the coming of the law," she said. + +"The law! Bah! Red tape, a dead language, and a horde of shysters! +I'm afraid of law in this land; we're too new and too far away +from things. It puts too much power in too few hands. Heretofore +we men up here have had recourse to our courage and our Colts, but +we'll have to unbuckle them both when the law comes. I like the +court that hasn't any appeal." He laid hand upon his hip. + +"The Colts may go, but the courage never will," she broke in. + +"Perhaps. But I've heard rumors already of a plot to prostitute +the law. In Unalaska a man warned Dextry, with terror in his eye, +to beware of it; that beneath the cloak of Justice was a drawn +dagger whetted for us fellows who own the rich diggings. I don't +think there's any truth in it, but you can't tell." + +"The law is the foundation--there can't be any progress without +it. There is nothing here now but disorder." + +"There isn't half the disorder you think there is. There weren't +any crimes in this country till the tenderfeet 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 his 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 unpardonable breach of +etiquette--to fail to leave dry kindlings. I'm afraid of the +transitory stage we're coming to--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 license 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, where life is just +what it was intended to be--a survival of the fittest." + +His large hands, as he 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 +nostrils. Unconsciously she approached him, drawn by the spell of +his strength. + +"My pleasures are violent and my hate is mighty bitter in my +mouth. What I want, I take. That's been my way in the old life, +and I'm too selfish to give it up." + +He was gazing out upon the dimly lucent miles of ice; but now he +turned towards her, and, doing so, touched her warm hand next his +on the rail. + +She was staring up at him unaffectedly, so close that the faint +odor from her hair reached him. Her expression was simply one of +wonder and curiosity at this type, so different from any she had +known. But the man's eyes were hot and blinded with the sight of +her, and he felt only her beauty heightened in the dim light, the +brush of her garments, and the small, soft hand beneath his. The +thrill from the touch of it surged over him--mastered him. + +"What I want--I take," he repeated, and then suddenly he reached +forth and, taking her in his arms, crushed her to him, kissing her +softly, fiercely, full upon the lips. For an instant she lay +gasping and stunned against his breast, then she tore her fist +free and, with all her force, struck him full in the face. + +It was as though she beat upon a stone. With one movement he +forced her arm to her side, smiling into her terrified eyes; then, +holding her like iron, he kissed her again and again upon the +mouth, the eyes, the hair--and released her. + +"I am going to love you--Helen," said he. + +"And may God strike me dead if I ever stop HATING you!" she cried, +her voice coming thick and hoarse with passion. + +Turning, she walked proudly forward towards her cabin, a trim, +straight, haughty figure; and he did not know that her knees were +shaking and weak. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE 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 in +the deck state-room. + +Soon they picked up a mountainous coast which rose steadily into +majestic, barren ranges, still white with the melting snows; and +at ten in the evening under a golden sunset, amid screaming +whistles, they anchored in the roadstead of Nome. Before the +rumble of her chains had ceased or the echo from the fleet's +salute had died from the shoreward hills, the ship was surrounded +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 trailing lighters circled discreetly about, +awaiting the completion of certain formalities. These over, the +uniformed gentleman dropped back into his skiff and rowed away. + +"A clean bill of health, captain," he shouted, saluting the +commander. + +"Thank ye, sir," roared the sailor, and with that the row-boats +swarmed inward pirate-like, boarding the steamer from all +quarters. + +As the master turned, he looked down from his bridge to the deck +below, full into the face of Dextry, who had been an intent +witness of the meeting. With unbending dignity, Captain Stephens +let his left eyelid droop slowly, while a boyish grin spread +widely over his face. Simultaneously, orders rang sharp and fast +from the bridge, the crew broke into feverish life, the creak of +booms and the clank of donkey-hoists arose. + +"We're here, Miss Stowaway," said Glenister, entering the girl's +cabin. "The inspector passed us and it's time for you to see the +magic city. Come, it's a wonderful sight." + +This was the first time they had been alone since the scene on the +after-deck, for, besides ignoring Glenister, she had managed that +he should not even see her except in Dextry's presence. Although +he had ever since been courteous and considerate, she felt the +leaping emotions that were hidden within him and longed to leave +the ship, to fly from the spell of his personality. Thoughts of +him made her writhe, and yet when he was near she could not hate +him as she willed--he overpowered her, he would not be hated, he +paid no heed to her slights. This very quality reminded her how +willingly and unquestioningly he had fought off the sailors from +the Ohio at a word from her. She knew he would do so again, and +more, and it is hard to be bitter to one who would lay down his +life for you, even though he has offended--particularly when he +has the magnetism that sweeps you away from your moorings. + +"There's no danger of being seen," he continued, "The crowd's +crazy, and, besides, we'll go ashore right away. You must be mad +with the confinement--it's on my nerves, too." + +As they stepped outside, the door of an adjacent cabin opened, +framing an angular, sharp-featured woman, who, catching sight of +the girl emerging from Glenister's state-room, paused with +shrewdly narrowed eyes, flashing quick, malicious glances from one +to the other. They came later to remember with regret this chance +encounter, for it was fraught with grave results for them both. + +"Good evening, Mr. Glenister," the lady said with acid cordiality. + +"Howdy, Mrs. Champian?" He moved away. + +She followed a step, staring at Helen. + +"Are you going ashore to-night or wait for morning?" + +"Don't know yet, I'm sure." Then aside to the girl he muttered, +"Shake her, she's spying on us." + +"Who is she?" asked Miss Chester, a moment later. + +"Her husband manages one of the big companies. She's an old cat." + +Gaining her first view of the land, the girl cried out, sharply. +They rode on an oily sea, tinted like burnished copper, while on +all sides, amid the faint rattle and rumble of machinery, scores +of ships were belching cargoes out upon living swarms of scows, +tugs, stern-wheelers, and dories. Here and there Eskimo oomiaks, +fat, walrus-hide boats, slid about like huge, many-legged water- +bugs. An endless, ant-like stream of tenders, piled high with +freight, plied to and from the shore. A mile distant lay the city, +stretched like a white ribbon between the gold of the ocean sand +and the dun of the moss-covered tundra. It was like no other in +the world. At first glance it seemed all made of new white canvas. +In a week its population had swelled from three to thirty +thousand. It now wandered in a slender, sinuous line along the +coast for miles, because only the beach afforded dry camping +ground. Mounting to the bank behind, one sank knee-deep in moss +and water, and, treading twice in the same tracks, found a bog of +oozing, icy mud. Therefore, as the town doubled daily in size, it +grew endwise like a string of dominoes, till the shore from Cape +Nome to Penny River was a long reach of white, glinting in the low +rays of the arctic sunset like foamy breakers on a tropic island. + +"That's Anvil Creek up yonder," said Glenister. "There's where the +Midas lies. See!" He indicated a gap in the buttress of mountains +rolling back from the coast. "It's the greatest creek in the +world. You'll see gold by the mule-load, and hillocks of nuggets. +Oh, I'm glad to get back. THIS is life. That stretch of beach is +full of gold. These hills are seamed with quartz. The bed-rock of +that creek is yellow. There's gold, gold, gold, everywhere--more +than ever was in old Solomon's mines--and there's mystery and +peril and things unknown." + +"Let us make haste," said the girl. "I have something I must do +to-night. After that, I can learn to know these things." + +Securing a small boat, they were rowed ashores the partners plying +their ferryman with eager questions. Having arrived five days +before, he was exploding with information and volunteered the +fruits of his ripe experience till Dextry stated that they were +"sourdoughs" themselves, and owned the Midas, whereupon Miss +Chester marvelled at the awe which sat upon the man and the +wondering stare with which he devoured the partners, to her own +utter exclusion. + +"Sufferin' cats! Look at the freight!" ejaculated Dextry. "If a +storm come up it would bust the community!" + +The beach they neared was walled and crowded to the high-tide mark +with ramparts of merchandise, while every incoming craft deposited +its quota upon whatever vacant foot was close at hand, till bales, +boxes, boilers, and baggage of all kinds were confusedly +intermixed in the narrow space. Singing longshoremen trundled +burdens from the lighters and piled them on the heap, while +yelling, cursing crowds fought over it all, selecting, sorting, +loading. + +There was no room for more, yet hourly they added to the mass. +Teams splashed through the lapping surf or stuck in the deep sand +between hillocks of goods. All was noise, profanity, congestion, +and feverish hurry. This burning haste rang in the voice of the +multitude, showed in its violence of gesture and redness of face, +permeated the atmosphere with a magnetic, electrifying energy. + +"It's somethin' fierce ashore," said the oarsman. "I been up fer +three days an' nights steady--there ain't no room, nor time, nor +darkness to sleep in. Ham an' eggs is a dollar an' a half, an' +whiskey's four bits a throw." He wailed the last, sadly, as a +complaint unspeakable. + +"Any trouble doin'?" inquired the old man. + +"You KNOW it!" the other cried, colloquially. "There was a +massacree in the Northern last night." + +"Gamblin' row?" + +"Yep. Tin-horn called 'Missou' done it." + +"Sho!" said Dextry. "I know him. He's a bad actor." All three men +nodded sagely, and the girl wished for further light, but they +volunteered no explanation. + +Leaving the skiff, they plunged into turmoil. Dodging through the +tangle, they came out into fenced lots where tents stood wall to +wall and every inch was occupied. Here and there was a vacant spot +guarded jealously by its owner, who gazed sourly upon all men with +the forbidding eye of suspicion. Finding an eddy in the confusion, +the men stopped. + +"Where do you want to go?" they asked Miss Chester. + +There was no longer in Glenister's glance that freedom with which +he had come to regard the women of the North. He had come to +realize dully that here was a girl driven by some strong purpose +into a position repellent to her. In a man of his type, her +independence awoke only admiration and her coldness served but to +inflame him the more. Delicacy, in Glenister, was lost in a +remarkable singleness of purpose. He could laugh at her loathing, +smile under her abuse, and remain utterly ignorant that anything +more than his action in seizing her that night lay at the bottom +of her dislike. He did not dream that he possessed characteristics +abhorrent to her; and he felt a keen reluctance at parting. + +She extended both hands. + +"I can never thank you enough for what you have done--you two; but +I shall try. Good-bye!" + +Dextry gazed doubtfully at his own hand, rough and gnarly, then +taking hers as he would have handled a robin's egg, waggled it +limply. + +"We ain't goin' to turn you adrift this-a-way. Whatever your +destination is, we'll see you to it." + +"I can find my friends," she assured him. + +"This is the wrong latitude in which to dispute a lady, but +knowin' this camp from soup to nuts, as I do, I su'gests a male +escort." + +"Very well! I wish to find Mr. Struve, of Dunham & Struve, +lawyers." + +"I'll take you to their offices," said Glenister. "You see to the +baggage, Dex. Meet me at the Second Class in half an hour and +we'll run out to the Midas." They pushed through the tangle of +tents, past piles of lumber, and emerged upon the main +thoroughfare, which ran parallel to the shore. + +Nome consisted of one narrow street, twisted between solid rows of +canvas and half-erected frame buildings, its every other door that +of a saloon. There were fair-looking blocks which aspired to the +dizzy height of three stories, some sheathed in corrugated iron, +others gleaming and galvanized. Lawyers' signs, doctors', +surveyors', were in the upper windows. The street was thronged +with men from every land--Helen Chester heard more dialects than +she could count. Laplanders in quaint, three-cornered, padded caps +idled past. Men with the tan of the tropics rubbed elbows with +yellow-haired Norsemen, and near her a carefully groomed Frenchman +with riding-breeches and monocle was in pantomime with a skin-clad +Eskimo. To her left was the sparkling sea, alive with ships of +every class. To her right towered timberless mountains, unpeopled, +unexplored, forbidding, and desolate--their hollows inlaid with +snow. On one hand were the life and the world she knew; on the +other, silence, mystery, possible adventure. + +The roadway where she stood was a crush of sundry vehicles from +bicycles to dog-hauled water-carts, and on all sides men were +laboring busily, the echo of hammers mingling with the cries of +teamsters and the tinkle of music within the saloons. + +"And this is midnight!" exclaimed Helen, breathlessly. "Do they +ever rest?" + +"There isn't time--this is a gold stampede. You haven't caught the +spirit of it yet." They climbed the stairs in a huge, iron-sheeted +building to the office of Dunham + +"Anybody else here besides you?" asked her escort of the lawyer. + +"No. I'm runnin' the law business unassisted. Don't need any help. +Dunham's in Wash'n'ton, D. C., the lan' of the home, the free of +the brave. What can I do for you?" + +He made to cross the threshold hospitably, but tripped, plunged +forward, and would have rolled down the stairs had not Glenister +gathered him up and borne him back into the office, where he +tossed him upon a bed in a rear room. + +"Now what, Miss Chester?" asked the young man, returning. + +"Isn't that dreadful?" she shuddered. "Oh, and I must see him to- +night!" She stamped impatiently. "I must see him alone." + +"No, you mustn't," said Glenister, with equal decision. "In the +first place, he wouldn't know what you were talking about, and in +the second place--I know Struve. He's too drunk to talk business +and too sober to--well, to see you alone." + +"But I MUST see him," she insisted. "It's what brought me here. +You don't understand." + +"I understand more than he could. He's in no condition to act on +any important matter. You come around to-morrow when he's sober." + +"It means so much," breathed the girl. "The beast!" + +Glenister noted that she had not wrung her hands nor even hinted +at tears, though plainly her disappointment and anxiety were +consuming her. + +"Well, I suppose I'll have to wait, but I don't know where to go-- +some hotel, I suppose." + +"There aren't any. They're building two, but to-night you couldn't +hire a room in Nome for money. I was about to say 'love or money.' +Have you no other friends here--no women? Then you must let me +find a place for you. I have a friend whose wife will take you +in." + +She rebelled at this. Was she never to have done with this man's +favors? She thought of returning to the ship, but dismissed that. +She undertook to decline his aid, but he was half-way down the +stairs and paid no attention to her beginning--so she followed +him. + +It was then that Helen Chester witnessed her first tragedy of the +frontier, and through it came to know better the man whom she +disliked and with whom she had been thrown so fatefully. Already +she had thrilled at the spell of this country, but she had not +learned that strength and license carry blood and violence as +corollaries. + +Emerging from the doorway at the foot of the stairs, they drifted +slowly along the walk, watching the crowd. Besides the universal +tension, there were laughter and hope and exhilaration in the +faces. The enthusiasm of this boyish multitude warmed one. The +girl wished to get into this spirit--to be one of them. Then +suddenly from the babble at their elbows came a discordant note, +not long nor loud, only a few words, penetrating and harsh with +the metallic quality lent by passion. + +Helen glanced over her shoulder to find that the smiles of the +throng were gone and that its eyes were bent on some scene in the +street, with an eager interest she had never seen mirrored before. +Simultaneously Glenister spoke: + +"Come away from here." + +With the quickened eye of experience he foresaw trouble and tried +to drag her on, but she shook off his grasp impatiently, and, +turning, gazed absorbed at the spectacle which unfolded itself +before her. Although not comprehending the play of events, she +felt vaguely the quick approach of some crisis, yet was unprepared +for the swiftness with which it came. + +Her eyes had leaped to the figures of two men in the street from +whom the rest had separated like oil from water. One was slim and +well dressed; the other bulky, mackinawed, and lowering of +feature. It was the smaller who spoke, and for a moment she +misjudged his bloodshot eyes and swaying carriage to be the result +of alcohol, until she saw that he was racked with fury. + +"Make good, I tell you, quick! Give me that bill of sale, you--." + +The unkempt man swung on his heel with a growl and walked away, +his course leading him towards Glenister and the girl. With two +strides he was abreast of them; then, detecting the flashing +movement of the other, he whirled like a wild animal. His voice +had the snarl of a beast in it. + +"Ye had to have it, didn't ye? Well, there!" + +The actions of both men were quick as light, yet to the girl's +taut senses they seemed theatrical and deliberate. Into her mind +was seared forever the memory of that second, as though the +shutter of a camera had snapped, impressing upon her brain the +scene, sharp, clear-cut, and vivid. The shaggy back of the large +man almost brushing her, the rage-drunken, white shirted man in +the derby hat, the crowd sweeping backward like rushes before a +blast, men with arms flexed and feet raised in flight, the glaring +yellow sign of the "Gold Belt Dance Hall" across the way--these +were stamped upon her retina, and then she was jerked violently +backward, two strong arms crushed her down upon her knees against +the wall, and she was smothered in the arms of Roy Glenister. + +"My God! Don't move! We're in line!" + +He crouched over her, his cheek against her hair, his weight +forcing her down into the smallest compass, his arms about her, +his body forming a living shield against the flying bullets. Over +them the big man stood, and the sustained roar of his gun was +deafening. In an instant they heard the thud and felt the jar of +lead in the thin boards against which they huddled. Again the +report echoed above their heads, and they saw the slender man in +the street drop his weapon and spin half round as though hit with +some heavy hand. He uttered a cry and, stooping for his gun, +plunged forward, burying his face in the sand. + +The man by Glenister's side shouted curses thickly, and walked +towards his prostrate enemy, firing at every step. The wounded man +rolled to his side, and, raising himself on his elbow, shot twice, +so rapidly that the reports blended--but without checking his +antagonist's approach. Four more times the relentless assailant +fired deliberately, his last missile sent as he stood over the +body which twitched and shuddered at his feet, its garments muddy +and smeared. Then he turned and retraced his steps. Back within +arm's-length of the two who pressed against the building he came, +and as he went by they saw his coarse and sullen features drawn +and working pallidly, while the breath whistled through his teeth. +He held his course to the door they had just quitted, then as he +turned he coughed bestially, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His +knees wavered. He vanished within the portals and, in the sickly +silence that fell, they heard his hob-nailed boots clumping slowly +up the stairs. + +Noise awoke and rioted down the thoroughfare. Men rushed forth +from every quarter, and the ghastly object in the dirt was hidden +by a seething mass of miners. + +Glenister 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 staring and horror-filled. + +"Don't be frightened," said he, smiling at her reassuringly; but +his own lips shook and the sweat stood out like dew on him; for +they had both 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 Mackinaw! When I see 'em blaze away I yells at +ye fit to bust my throat. I shore thought you was gone. Although I +can't say but this killin' was a sight for sore eyes--so neat an' +genteel--still, as a rule, in these street brawls it's the +innocuous bystander that has flowers sent around to his house +afterwards." + +"Look at this," said Glenister. Breast-high in the wall against +which they had crouched, not three feet apart, were bullet holes. + +"Them's the first two he unhitched," Dextry remarked, jerking his +head towards the object in the street. "Must have been a new gun +an' pulled hard--throwed him to the right. See!" + +Even to the girl it was patent that, had she not been snatched as +she was, the bullet would have found her. + +"Come away quick," she panted, and they led her into a near-by +store, where she sank upon a seat and trembled until Dextry +brought her a glass of whiskey. + +"Here, Miss," he said. "Pretty tough go for a 'cheechako.' I'm +afraid you ain't gettin' enamoured of this here country a whole +lot." + +For half an hour he talked to her, in his whimsical way, of +foreign things, till she was quieted. Then the partners arose to +go. Although Glenister had arranged for her to stop with the wife +of the merchant for the rest of the night, she would not. + +"I can't go to bed. Please don't leave me! I'm too nervous. I'll +go MAD if you do. The strain of the last week has been too much +for me. If I sleep I'll see the faces of those men again." + +Dextry talked with his companion, then made a purchase which he +laid at the lady's feet. + +"Here's a pair of half-grown gum boots. You put 'em on an' come +with us. We'll take your mind off of things complete. An' as fer +sweet dreams, when you get back you'll make the slumbers of the +just seem as restless as a riot, or the antics of a mountain-goat +which nimbly leaps from crag to crag, and--well, that's restless +enough. Come on!" + +As the sun slanted up out of Behring Sea, they marched back +towards the hills, their feet ankle-deep in the soft fresh moss, +while the air tasted like a cool draught and a myriad of earthy +odors rose up and encircled them. Snipe and reed birds were noisy +in the hollows and from the misty tundra lakes came the honking of +brant. After their weary weeks on shipboard, the dewy freshness +livened them magically, cleansing from their 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 undo what he had done one night on the +Santa Maria. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +WHEREIN A MAN APPEARS + + +In the lives of countries there are crises where, for a breath, +destinies lie in the laps of the gods and are jumbled, heads or +tails. Thus are marked distinctive cycles like the seven ages of a +man, and though, perhaps, they are too subtle to be perceived at +the time, yet, having swung past the shadowy milestones, the +epochs disclose themselves. + +Such a period in the progress of the Far Northwest was the +nineteenth day of July, although to those concerned in the +building of this new empire the day appealed only as the date of +the coming of the law. All Nome gathered on the sands as lighters +brought ashore Judge Stillman and his following. It was held +fitting that the Senator should be the ship to safeguard the +dignity of the first court and to introduce Justice into this land +of the wild. + +The interest awakened by His Honor was augmented by the fact that +he was met on the beach by a charming girl, who flung herself upon +him with evident delight. + +"That's his niece," said some one. "She came up on the first boat- +-name's Chester--swell looker, eh?" + +Another new-comer attracted even more notice than the limb of the +law; a gigantic, well-groomed man, with keen, close-set eyes, and +that indefinable easy movement and polished bearing that come from +confidence, 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. "Your name +is a household word in my part of the country. My people were +mixed up in Dakota politics somewhat, so I've always had a great +admiration 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 trouble?" Dunham inquired when the three had +adjourned to a private room. + +"Trouble," said Struve, ruefully; "well, I wonder if I did. Miss +Chester brought me your instructions O.K. and I got busy right +off. But, tell me this--how did you get the girl to act as +messenger?" + +"There was no one else to send," answered McNamara. "Dunham +intended sailing 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 examine the papers. That would have meant--" He moved his hand +eloquently. + +Struve nodded. "I see. Does she know what was in the documents?" + +"Decidedly not. Women and business don't mix. I hope you didn't +tell her anything." + +"No; I haven't had a chance. She seemed to take a dislike to me +for some reason, I haven't seen her since the day after she got +here." + +"The Judge told her it had something to do with preparing the way +for his court," said Dunham, "and that if the papers were not +delivered before he arrived it might cause a lot of trouble-- +litigation, riots, bloodshed, and all that. He filled her up on +generalities till the girl was frightened to death and thought the +safety of her uncle and the whole country depended on her." + +"Well," continued Struve, "it's dead easy to hire men to jump +claims and it's dead easy to buy their rights afterwards, +particularly when they know they haven't got any--but what course +do you follow when owners go gunning for you?" + +McNamara laughed. + +"Who did that?" + +"A benevolent, silver-haired old Texan pirate by the name of +Dextry. He's one half owner in the Midas and the other half +mountain-lion; as peaceable, you'd imagine, as a benediction, but +with the temperament of a Geronimo. I sent Galloway out to +relocate the claim, and he got his notices up in the night when +they were asleep, but at 6 A.M. he came flying back to my room and +nearly hammered the door down. I've seen fright in varied forms +and phases, but he had them all, with some added starters. + +"'Hide me out, quick!' he panted. + +"'What's up?' I asked. + +"'I've stirred up a breakfast of grizzly bear, smallpox, and +sudden death and it don't set well on my stummick. Let me in.' + +"I had to keep him hidden three days, for this 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." + +"I'll attend to that," said McNamara. + +Struve resumed: + +"Yes, gentlemen, I've been working 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--blackmail?" + +"Humph!" ejaculated McNamara. "What do you 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 astounding speech. + +In spite of himself, Wilton Struve, lawyer, rake, and gentlemanly +adventurer, felt his heart leap at what the other's daring +implied. The proposition was utterly past belief, and yet, looking +into the man's purposeful eyes, he believed. + +"That's big--awful big--TOO big," the younger man murmured. "Why, +man, it means you'll handle fifty thousand dollars a day!" + +Dunham shifted his feet in the silence and licked his dry lips. + +"Of course it's big, but Mr. McNamara's the biggest man that ever +came to Alaska," he said. + +"And I've got the biggest scheme that ever came north, backed by +the biggest men in Washington," continued the politician. "Look +here!" He displayed a type-written sheet bearing parallel lists of +names and figures. Struve gasped incredulously. + +"Those are my stockholders and that is their share in the venture. +Oh, yes; we're incorporated--under the laws of Arizona--secret, of +course; it would never do for the names to get out. I'm showing +you this only because I want you to be satisfied who's behind me." + +"Lord! I'm satisfied," said Struve, laughing nervously. "Dunham +was with you when you figured the scheme out and he met some of +your friends in Washington and New York. If he says it's all +right, that settles it. But say, suppose anything went wrong with +the company and it leaked out who those stockholders are?" + +"There's no danger. I have the books where they will be burned at +the first sign. We'd have had our own land laws passed but for +Sturtevant of Nevada, damn him. He blocked us in the Senate. +However, my plan is this." He rapidly outlined his proposition to +the listeners, while a light of admiration grew and shone in the +reckless face of Struve. + +"By heavens! you're a wonder!" he cried, at the close, "and I'm +with you body and soul. It's dangerous--that's why I like it." + +"Dangerous?" McNamara shrugged his shoulders. "Bah! Where is the +danger? We've got the law--or rather, we ARE 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 tackled 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 flamboyant, 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 clear 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 a 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." + +"Indeed!" said the old man, his shifting eyes now resting full on +the other with a flash of unmistakable interest. "I hear that is a +wonderful mine. Have you begun work yet?" + +"No. We'll commence sluicing day after to-morrow. It has been a +late spring. The snow in the gulch was deep and the ground thaws +slowly. We've been building houses and doing dead work, but we've +got our men on the ground, waiting." + +"I am greatly interested. Won't you walk with us to the hotel? I +want to hear more about these wonderful placers." + +"Well, they ARE great placers," said the miner, as the three +walked on together; "nobody knows HOW great because we've only +scratched at them yet. In the first place the ground is so shallow +and the gold is so easy to get, that if nature didn't safeguard us +in the winter we'd never dare leave our claims for fear of +'snipers.' They'd run in and rob us." + +"How much will the Anvil Creek mines produce this summer?" asked +the Judge. + +"It's hard to tell, sir; but we expect to average five thousand a +day from the Midas alone, and there are other claims just as +good." + +"Your title is all clear, I dare say, eh?" + +"Absolutely, except for one jumper, and we don't take him +seriously. A fellow named Galloway relocated us one night last +month, but he didn't allege any grounds for doing so, and we could +never find trace of him. If we had, our title would be as clean as +snow again." He said the last with a peculiar inflection. + +"You wouldn't use violence, I trust?" + +"Sure! Why not? It has worked all right heretofore." + +"But, my dear sir, those days are gone. The law is here and it is +the duty of every one to abide by it." + +"Well, perhaps it is; but in this 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 Glenister 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 have done for me; but that isn't +all. There is something deeper. You saved my life and I'm +grateful, but you frighten me, always. It is the cruelty in your +strength, it is something away back in you--lustful, and +ferocious, and wild, and crouching." + +He smiled wryly. + +"It is my local color, maybe--absorbed from this country. I'll try +to change, though, if you want me to. I'll let them rope and throw +and brand me. I'll take on the graces of civilization and put away +revenge and ambition and all the rest of it, if it will make you +like me any better. Why, I'll even promise not to violate the +person of our claim-jumper if I catch him; and Heaven knows THAT +means that Samson has parted with his locks." + +"I think I could like you if you did," she said, "but you can't do +it. You are a savage." + + There are no clubs nor marts where men foregather for business in +the North--nothing but the saloon, and this is all and more than a +club. Here men congregate to drink, to gamble, and to traffic. + +It was late in the evening when Glenister entered the Northern and +passed idly down the row of games, pausing at the crap-table, +where he rolled the dice when his turn came. Moving to the +roulette-wheel, he lost a stack of whites, but at the faro "lay- +out" his luck was better, and he won a gold coin on the "high- +card." Whereupon he promptly ordered a round of drinks for the men +grouped about him, a formality always precedent to overtures of +general friendship. + +As he paused, glass in hand, his eyes were drawn to a man who +stood close by, talking earnestly. The aspect of the stranger +challenged notice, for he stood high above his companions with a +peculiar grace of attitude in place of the awkwardness common in +men of great stature. Among those who were listening intently to +the man's carefully modulated tones, Glenister recognized Mexico +Mullins, the ex-gambler who had given Dextry the warning at +Unalaska. As he further studied the listening group, a drunken man +staggered uncertainly through the wide doors of the saloon and, +gaining sight of the tall stranger, blinked, then approached him, +speaking with a loud voice: + +"Well, if 'tain't ole Alec McNamara! How do, ye ole pirate!" + +McNamara nodded and turned his back coolly upon the new-comer. + +"Don't turn your dorsal fin to me; I wan' to talk to ye." + +McNamara continued his calm discourse till he received a vicious +whack on the shoulder; then he turned for a moment to interrupt +his assailant's garrulous profanity: + +"Don't bother me. I am engaged." + +"Ye won' talk to me, eh? Well, I'm goin' to talk to YOU, 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 seized and whirled him +about, repeating his abuse, encouraged by this apparent patience. + +"Your pardon for an instant, gentlemen." McNamara laid a large +white and manicured hand upon the flannel sleeve of the miner and +gently escorted him through the entrance to the sidewalk, while +the crowd smiled. + +As they cleared the threshold, however, he clenched his fist +without a word and, raising it, struck the sot fully and cruelly +upon the jaw. His victim fell silently, the back of his head +striking the boards with a hollow thump; then, without even +observing how he lay, McNamara re-entered the saloon and took up +his conversation where he had been interrupted. His voice was as +evenly regulated as his movements, betraying not a sign of anger, +excitement, or bravado. He lit a cigarette, extracted a note-book, +and jotted down certain memoranda supplied him by Mexico Mullins. + +All this time the body lay across the threshold without a sign of +life. The buzz of the roulette-wheel was resumed and the crap- +dealer began his monotonous routine. Every eye was fixed on the +nonchalant man at the bar, but the unconscious creature outside +the threshold lay unheeded, for in these men's code it behooves +the most humane to practise a certain aloofness in the matter of +private brawls. + +Having completed his notes, McNamara shook hands gravely with his +companions and strode out through the door, past the bulk that +sprawled across his path, and, without pause or glance, +disappeared. + +A dozen willing, though unsympathetic, hands laid the drunkard on +the roulette-table, where the bartender poured pitcher upon +pitcher of water over him. + +"He ain't hurt none to speak of," said a bystander; then added, +with enthusiasm: + +"But say! There's a MAN in this here camp!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +AND A MINE IS JUMPED + + +"Who's your new shift boss?" Glenister inquired 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 immoderately, 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 angular shoulders by suspenders of alarming +frailty. His legs were lost in gum boots, also loose and +cavernous, and his entire costume looked relaxed and flapping, 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 grizzled 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?" + +"Naw! He ain't bald at all. He shaves his nob. In the early days +he wore a long flowin' mane which was inhabited by crickets, tree- +toads, and such fauna. It got to be a hobby with him finally, so +that he growed superstitious about goin' uncurried, and would back +into a corner with both guns drawed if a barber came near him. But +once Hank--that's his real name--undertook to fry some slapjacks, +and in givin' the skillet a heave, the dough lit among his forest +primeval, jest back of his ears, soft side down. Hank polluted the +gulch with langwidge which no man had ought to keep in himself +without it was fumigated. Disreppitableness oozed out through him +like sweat through an ice-pitcher, an' since then he's been known +as Slapjack Simms, an' has kept his head shingled smooth as a gun +bar'l. He's a good miner, though; ain't none better--an' square as +a die." + +Sluicing had begun on the Midas. Long sinuous lengths of canvas +hose wound down the creek bottom from the dam, like gigantic +serpents, while the roll of gravel through the flumes mingled +musically with the rush of waters, the tinkle of tools, and the +song of steel on rock. There were four "strings" of boxes abreast, +and the heaving line of shovellers ate rapidly into the creek bed, +while teams with scrapers splashed through the tail races in an +atmosphere of softened profanity. In the big white tents which sat +back from the bluffs, fifty men of the night shift were asleep; +for there is no respite here--no night, no Sunday, no halt, during +the hundred days in which the Northland lends herself to pillage. + +The mine lay cradled between wonderful, mossy, willow-mottled +mountains, while above and below the gulch was dotted with tents +and huts, and everywhere, from basin to hill crest, men dug and +blasted, punily, patiently, while their tracks grew daily plainer +over the face of this inscrutable wilderness. + +A great contentment filled the two partners as they 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 Mexicos 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 rushing stream 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 threatened spot to +support it, Slapjack Simms, with a shriek, plunged flapping down +into the cut and seized the flume. His great height stood him in +good stead now, for where the joint had opened, water poured forth +in a cataract, He dived under the breach unhesitatingly and, +stooping, lifted the line as near to its former level as possible, +holding the entire burden upon his naked pate. He gesticulated +wildly for help, while over him poured the deluge of icy, muddy +water. It entered his gaping waistband, bulging out his yellow +trousers till they were fat and full and the seams were bursting, +while his yawning boot-tops became as boiling springs. Meanwhile +he chattered forth profanity in such volume that the ear ached +under it as must have ached the heroic Slapjack under the chill of +the melting snow. He was relieved quickly, however, and emerged +triumphant, though blue and puckered, his wilderness of whiskers +streaming like limber stalactites, his boots loosely "squishing," +while oaths still poured from him in such profusion that Dextry +whispered: + +"Ain't he a ring-tailed wonder? It's plumb solemn an' reverent the +way he makes them untamed cuss-words sit up an' beg. It's a +privilege to be present. That's a GIFT, that is." + +"You'd better get some dry clothes," they suggested, and Slapjack +proceeded a few paces towards the tents, hobbling as though +treading on pounded glass. + +"Ow--w!" he yelled. "These blasted boots is full of gravel." + +He seated himself and tugged at his foot till the boot came away +with a sucking sound, then, instead of emptying the accumulation +at random, he poured the contents into Dextry's empty gold-pan, +rinsing it out carefully. The other boot he emptied likewise. They +held a surprising amount of sediment, because 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 prospect." + +With artful passes Dextry settled it in the pan bottom 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 +undercurrents an' blanket riffles. I'll have to wash these +garments of mine an' clean up the soapsuds 'cause there's a +hundred dollars in gold-dust clingin' to my person this minute." +He went dripping 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 ounces, the way that ground prospects." He loped down +the gulch, while his partner returned to the pit, the flashing +shovel blades, and the rumbling undertone of the big workings that +so fascinated him. It was perhaps four o'clock when he was aroused +from his labors by a shout from the bunk-tent, where a group of +horsemen had clustered. As Glenister drew near, he saw among them +Wilton Struve, the lawyer, and the big, well-dressed tenderfoot of +the Northern--McNamara--the man of the heavy hand. Struve +straightway engaged him. + +"Say, Glenister, we've come out to see about the title to this +claim." + +"What about it?" + +"Well, it was relocated about a month ago." He paused. + +"Yes. What of that?" + +"Galloway has commenced suit." + +"The ground belongs to Dextry and me. We discovered it, we opened +it up, we've complied with the law, and we're going to hold it." +Glenister spoke with such conviction and heat as to nonplus +Struve, but McNamara, who had sat his horse silently until now, +answered: + +"Certainly, sir; if your title is good you will be protected, but +the law has arrived in Alaska and we've got to let it take its +course. There's no need of violence--none whatever--but, briefly, +the situation is this: Mr. Galloway has commenced action against +you; the court has enjoined you from working and has appointed me +as receiver to operate the mine until the suit is settled. It's an +extraordinary procedure, of course, but the conditions are +extraordinary in this country. The season is so short that it +would be unjust to the rightful owner if the claim lay idle all +summer--so, to avoid that, I've been put in charge, with +instructions to operate it and preserve the proceeds subject to +the court's order. Mr. Voorhees here is the United States Marshal. +He will serve the papers." + +Glenister threw up his hand in a gesture of restraint. + +"Hold on! Do you mean to tell me that any court would recognize +such a claim as Galloway's?" + +"The law recognizes 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 commenced. We've never even been +served with a summons and we haven't had a chance to argue in our +own defence." + +"I have just said that this is a remarkable state 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 in the ground. +We'll knock off work and let the claim lie idle till the thing is +settled. You can't really expect us to surrender possession of our +mine on the mere allegation of some unknown man. That's +ridiculous. We won't do it. Why, you'll have to let us argue our +case, at least, before you try to put us off." + +Voorhees shook his head. "We'll have to follow instructions. The +thing for you to do is to appear before the court to-morrow and +have the receiver dismissed. If your title is as good as you say +it is, you won't have any trouble." + +"You're not the only ones to suffer," added McNamara. "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--" + +"How much?" + +"Five thousand dollars for each claim." + +"What! Why, heavens, man, the poorest of these mines is producing +that much every day!" + +While he spoke, Glenister was rapidly debating what course to +follow. + +"The place to argue this thing is before Judge Stillman," said +Struve--but with little notion of the conflict going on within +Glenister. The youth yearned to fight--not with words nor quibbles +nor legal phrases, but with steel and blows. And he felt that the +impulse was as righteous as it was natural, for he knew this +process was unjust, an outrage. Mexico Mullins's warning recurred +to him. And yet--. He shifted slowly as he talked till his back +was to the door of the big tent. They were watching him carefully, +for all their apparent languor and looseness in saddle; then as he +started to leap within and rally his henchmen, his mind went back +to the words of Judge Stillman and his niece. Surely that old man +was on the square. He couldn't be otherwise with her beside him, +believing in him; and a suspicion of deeper plots behind these +actions was groundless. So far, all was legal, he supposed, with +his scant knowledge of law; though the methods seemed +unreasonable. The men might be doing what they thought to be +right. Why be the first to resist? The men on the mines below had +not done so. The title to this ground was capable of such easy +proof that he and Dex need have no uneasiness. Courts do not rob +honest people nowadays, he argued, and moreover, perhaps the +girl's words were true, perhaps she WOULD think more of him if he +gave up the old fighting ways for her sake. Certainly armed +resistance to her uncle's first edict would not please her. She +had said he was too violent, so he would show her he could lay his +savagery aside. She might smile on him approvingly, and that was +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 Simms. + +"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. "I'll say when to shoot." +He turned to look into the muzzles of guns held in the hands of +every horseman--every horseman save one, for Alec McNamara sat +unmoved, his handsome features, nonchalant and amused, nodding +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 incredulously. + +"Well, of all the different kinds 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. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE "BRONCO KID'S" EAVESDROPPING + + +Late in July it grows dark as midnight approaches, so that the +many lights from doorway and window seem less garish and strange +than they do a month earlier. In the Northern there was good +business doing. The new bar fixtures, which had cost a king's +ransom, or represented the one night's losings of a Klondike +millionaire, shone rich, dark, and enticing, while the cut glass +sparkled with iridescent hues, reflecting, in a measure, the +prismatic moods, the dancing spirits of the crowd that crushed +past, halting at the gambling games, or patronizing the theatre in +the rear. The old bar furniture, brought down by dog team from "Up +River," was established at the rear extremity of the long +building, just inside the entrance to the dancehall, where patrons +of the drama might, with a modicum of delay and inconvenience, +quaff as deeply of the beaker as of the ballet. + +Now, however, the show had closed, the hall had been cleared of +chairs and canvas, exposing a glassy, tempting surface, and the +orchestra had moved to the stage. They played a rollicking, blood- +stirring two-step, while the floor swam with dancers. + +At certain intervals the musicians worked feverishly up to a +crashing crescendo, supported by the voices of the dancers, until +all joined at the top note in a yell, while the drummer fired a +.44 Colt into a box of wet sawdust beside his chair--all in time, +all in the swinging spirit of the tune. + +The men, who were mostly young, danced like college boys, while +the women, who were all young and good dancers, floated through +the measures with the ease of rose-leaves on a summer stream. +Faces were flushed, eyes were bright, and but rarely a voice +sounded that was not glad. Most of the noise came from the men, +and although one caught, here and there, a hint of haggard lines +about the girlish faces, and glimpsed occasional eyes that did not +smile, yet as a whole the scene was one of genuine enjoyment. + +Suddenly the music ceased and the couples crowded to the bar. The +women took harmless drinks, the men, mostly whiskey. Rarely was +the choice of potations criticised, though occasionally some ruddy +eschewer of sobriety insisted that his lady "take the same," +avowing that "hootch," having been demonstrated beneficial in his +case, was good for her also. Invariably the lady accepted without +dispute, and invariably the man failed to note her glance at the +bartender, or the silent substitution by that capable person of +ginger-ale for whiskey or of plain water for gin. In turn, the +mixers collected one dollar from each man, flipping to the girl a +metal percentage-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 idle, but, on +the other hand, she was able to pocket for each bottle a check +redeemable at five dollars. + +A stranger, straight from the East, would have remarked first upon +the good music, next upon the good looks of the women, and then +upon the shabby clothes of the men--for some of them were in +"mukluk," others in sweaters with huge initials and winged +emblems, and all were collarless. + +Outside in the main gambling-room there were but few women. Men +crowded in dense masses about the faro lay-out, the wheel, craps, +the Klondike game, pangingi, and the card-tables. They talked of +business, of home, of women, bought and sold mines, and bartered +all things from hams to honor. The groomed and clean, the unkempt +and filthy jostled shoulder to shoulder, equally affected by the +license of the goldfields and the exhilaration of the New. The +mystery of the North had touched them all. The glad, bright wine +of adventure filled their veins, and they spoke mightily of things +they had resolved to do, or recounted with simple diffidence the +strange stories of their accomplishment. + +The "Bronco Kid," familiar from Atlin to Nome as the best "bank" +dealer on the Yukon, worked the shift from eight till two. He was +a slender man of thirty, dexterous in movement, slow to smile, +soft of voice, and known as a living flame among women. He had +dealt the biggest games of the early days, and had no enemies. +Yet, though many called him friend, they wondered inwardly. + +It was a strong play the Kid had to-night, for Swede Sam, of +Dawson, ventured many stacks of yellow chips, and he was a quick, +aggressive gambler. A Jew sat at the king end with ten neatly +creased one-thousand-dollar bills before him, together with piles +of smaller currency. He adventured viciously and without system, +while outsiders to the number of four or five cut in sporadically +with small bets. The game was difficult to follow; consequently +the lookout, from his raised dais, was leaning forward, chin in +hand, while the group was hedged about by eager on-lookers. + +Faro is a closed book to most people, for its intricacies are +confusing. Lucky is he who has never persevered in solving its +mysteries nor speculated upon the "systems" of beating it. From +those who have learned it, the game demands practice, dexterity, +and coolness. The dealer must run the cards, watch the many +shifting bets, handle the neatly piled checks, figure, lightning- +like, the profits and losses. It was his unerring, clock like +regularity in this that had won the Kid his reputation. This night +his powers were taxed. He dealt silently, scowlingly, his long +white fingers nervously caressing the cards. + +This preoccupation prevented his noticing the rustle and stir of a +new-comer who had crowded up behind him, until he caught the +wondering glances of those in front and saw that the Israelite was +staring past him, his money forgotten, his eyes beady and sharp, +his rat-like teeth showing in a grin of admiration. Swede Sam +glared from under his unkempt shock and felt uncertainly towards +the open collar of his flannel shirt where a kerchief should have +been. The men who were standing gazed at the new-comer, some with +surprise, others with a half smile of recognition. + +Bronco glanced quickly over his shoulder, and as he did so the +breath caught in his throat--but for only an instant. A girl stood +so close beside him that the lace of her gown brushed his sleeve. +He was shuffling at the moment and dropped a card, then nodded to +her. speaking quietly, as he stooped to regain the pasteboard: + +"Howdy, Cherry?" + +She did not answer--only continued to look at the "lay-out." "What +a woman!" he thought. She was not too tall, with smoothly rounded +bust and hips, and long waist, all well displayed by her perfectly +fitting garments. Her face was oval, the mouth rather large, the +eyes of dark, dark-blue, prominently outlined under thin, silken +lids. Her dull-gold hair was combed low over the ears, and her +smile showed rows of sparkling teeth before it dived into twin +dimples. Strangest of all, it was an innocent face, the face and +smile of a school-girl. + +The Kid finished his shuffling awkwardly and slid the cards into +the box. Then the woman spoke: + +"Let me have your place, Bronco." + +The men gasped, the Jew snickered, the lookout straightened in his +chair. + +"Better not. It's a hard game," said the Kid, but her voice was +imperious as she commanded him: + +"Hurry up. Give me your place." + +Bronco arose, whereupon she settled in his chair, tucked in her +skirts, removed her gloves, and twisted into place the diamonds on +her hands. + +"What the devil's this?" said the lookout, roughly. "Are you +drunk, Bronco? Get out of that chair, miss." + +She turned to him slowly. The innocence had fled from her features +and the big eyes flashed warningly. A change had coarsened her +like a puff of air on a still pool. Then, while she stared at him, +her lids drooped dangerously and her lip curled. + +"Throw him out, Bronco," she said, and her tones held the hardness +of a mistress to her slave. + +"That's all right," the Kid reassured the lookout. "She's a better +dealer than I am. This is Cherry Malotte." + +Without noticing the stares this evoked, the girl commenced. Her +hands, beautifully soft and white, flashed over the board. She +dealt rapidly, unfalteringly, 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, removing the extra disks, as is the custom. When she +stretched forth her hand she grasped the right number unerringly. +This is considered the acme of professional finish, and the Bronco +Kid smiled delightedly 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 unnatural. Silently and without apparent +notice he passed friends who greeted him. + +"What ails Glenister to-night?" asked a by-stander. "He acts +funny," + +"Ain't you heard? Why, the Midas has been jumped. He's in a bad +way--all broke up." + +The girl suddenly ceased without finishing the deck, and arose. + +"Don't stop," said the Kid, while a murmur of dismay came from the +spectators. She only shook her head and drew on her gloves with a +show of ennui. + +Gliding through the crowd, she threaded about aimlessly, the +recipient of many stares though but few greetings, speaking with +no one, a certain dignity serving her as a barrier even here. She +stopped a waiter and questioned him. + +"He's up-stairs in a gallery box." + +"Alone?" + +"Yes'm. Anyhow, he was a minute ago, unless some of the rustlers +has broke in on him." + +A moment later Glenister, watching the scene below, was aroused +from his gloomy absorption by the click of the box door and the +rustle of silken skirts. + +"Go out, please," he said, without turning. "I don't want +company." Hearing no answer, he began again, "I came here to be +alone"--but there he ceased, for the girl had come forward and +laid her two hot hands upon his cheeks. + +"Boy," she breathed--and he arose swiftly. + +"Cherry! When did you come?" + +"Oh, DAYS ago," she said, impatiently, "from Dawson. They told me +you had struck it. I stood it as long as I could--then I came to +you. Now, tell me about yourself. Let me see you first, quick!" + +She pulled him towards the light and gazed upward, devouring him +hungrily with her great, languorous eyes. She held to his coat +lapels, standing close beside him, her warm breath beating up into +his face, + +"Well," she said, "kiss me!" + +He took her wrists in his and loosed her hold, then looked down on +her gravely and said: + +"No--that's all over. I told you 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 love you too much to let you go." + +"Hush!" said he. "There are people in the next box." + +"I don't care! Let them hear," she cried, with feminine +recklessness. "I'm proud of my love for you. I'll tell it to them- +-to the whole world." + +"Now, see here, little girl," he said, quietly, "we had a long +talk in Dawson and agreed that it was best to divide our ways. I +was mad over you once, as a good many other men have been, but I +came to my senses. Nothing could ever result from it, and I told +you so." + +"Yes, yes--I know. I thought I could give you up, but I didn't +realize till you had gone how I wanted you. Oh, it's been a +TORTURE to me every day for the past two years." There was no +semblance now to the cold creature she had appeared upon entering +the gambling-hall. She spoke rapidly, her whole body tense with +emotion, her voice shaken with passion. "I've seen men and men and +men, and they've loved 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 can't stand +it. I'll give up everything--I'll do anything just to be where you +are. What do you think of a woman who will beg? Oh, I've lost my +pride--I'm a fool--a fool--but I can't help it." + +"I'm sorry you feel this way," said Glenister. "It isn't my fault, +and it isn't of any use." + +For an instant she stood quivering, while the light died out of +her face; then, with a characteristic change, she smiled till the +dimples laughed in her cheeks. She sank upon a seat beside him and +pulled together the curtains, shutting out the sight below. + +"Very well"--then she put his hand to her cheek and cuddled it. +"I'm glad to see you just the same, and you can't keep me from +loving you." + +With his other hand he smoothed her hair, while, unknown to him +and beneath her lightness, she shrank and quivered at his touch +like a Barbary steed under the whip. + +"Things are very bad with me," he said. "We've had our mine +jumped." + +"Bah! You know what to do. You aren't a cripple--you've got five +fingers on your gun hand." + +"That's it! They all tell me that--all the old-timers; but I don't +know what to do. I thought I did--but I don't. The law has come +into this country and I've tried to meet it half-way. They jumped +us and put in a receiver--a big man--by the name of McNamara. Dex +wasn't there and I let them do it. When the old man learned of it +he nearly went crazy. We had our first quarrel. He thought I was +afraid--" + +"Not he," said the girl. "I know him and he knows you." + +"That was a week ago. We've hired the best lawyer in Nome--Bill +Wheaton--and we've tried to have the injunction removed. We've +offered bond in any sum, but the Judge refuses to accept it. We've +argued for leave to appeal, but he won't give us the right. The +more I look into it the worse it seems, for the court wasn't +convened in accordance with law, we weren't notified to appear in +our own behalf, we weren't allowed a chance to argue our own case- +-nothing. They simply slapped on a receiver, and now they refuse +to allow us redress. From a legal stand-point, it's appalling, I'm +told--but what's to be done? What's the game? That's the thing. +What are they up to? I'm nearly out of my mind, for it's all my +fault. I didn't think it meant anything like this or I'd have made +a fight for possession and stood them off 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 it's up to me and +the Almighty to get it back. If he gets full he'll drive 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 round." + +"What've they got against you and Dextry--some grudge?" she +questioned. + +"No, no! We're not the only ones in trouble; they'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 crazy; they've +hired all the lawyers in town, and are murdering more good +American language than would fill Bering Strait. Dex is in favor +of getting our friends together and throwing the receiver off. He +wants to kill somebody, but we can't do that. They've got the +soldiers to fall back on. We've been warned that the troops are +instructed to enforce the court's action. I don't know what the +plot is, for I can't believe the old Judge is crooked--the girl +wouldn't let him." + +"Girl?" + +Cherry Malotte leaned forward where the light shone on the young +man's worried face. + +"The girl? What girl? Who is she?" + +Her voice had lost its lazy caress, her lips had thinned. Never +was a woman's face more eloquent, mused Glenister as he noted her. +Every thought fled to this window to peer forth, fearful, lustful, +hateful, as the case might be. He had loved to play with her in +the former days, to work upon her passions and watch the changes, +to note her features mirror every varying emotion from tenderness +to flippancy, from anger to delight, and, at his bidding, to see +the pale cheeks glow with love's fire, the eyes grow heavy, the +dainty lips invite kisses. Cherry was a perfect little spoiled +animal, he reflected, and a very dangerous one. + +"What girl?" she questioned again, and he knew beforehand the look +that went with it. + +"The girl I intend to marry," he said, slowly, looking her between +the eyes. + +He knew he was cruel--he wanted to be--it satisfied the clamor and +turmoil within him, while he also felt that the sooner she knew +and the colder it left her the better. He could not note the +effect of the remark on her, however, for, as he spoke, the door +of the box opened and the head of the Bronco Kid appeared, then +retired instantly with apologies. + +"Wrong stall," he said, in his slow voice. "Looking for another +party." Nevertheless, his eyes had covered every inch of them-- +noted the drawn curtains and the breathless poise of the woman-- +while his ears had caught part of Glenister's speech. + +"You won't marry her," said Cherry, quietly. "I don't know who she +is, but I won't let you marry her." + +She rose and smoothed her skirts. + +"It's time nice people were going now." She said it with a sneer +at herself. "Take me out through this crowd. I'm living quietly +and I don't want these beasts to follow me." + +As they emerged from the theatre the morning air was cool and +quiet, while the sun was just rising. The Bronco Kid lighted a +cigar as they passed, nodding silently at their greeting. His eyes +followed them, while his hands were so still that the match burned +through to his fingers--then when they had gone his teeth met and +ground savagely through the tobacco so that the cigar fell, while +he muttered: + +"So that's the girl you intend to marry? We'll see, by God!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +DEXTRY MAKES A CALL + + +The water front had a strong attraction for Helen Chester, and +rarely did a fair day pass without finding her in some quiet spot +from which she could watch the shifting life along its edge, the +ships at anchor, and the varied incidents of the surf. + +This morning she sat in a dory pulled high up on the beach, bathed +in the bright sunshine, and staring at the rollers, while lines of +concentration wrinkled her brow. The wind had blown for some days +till the ocean beat heavily across the shallow bar, and now, as it +became quieter, longshoremen were launching their craft, preparing +to resume their traffic. + +Not until the previous day had the news of her friends' misfortune +come to her, and although she had heard no hint of fraud, she +began to realize that they were involved in a serious tangle. To +the questions which she anxiously put to her uncle he had replied +that their difficulty arose from a technicality in the mining laws +which another man had been shrewd enough to profit by. It was a +complicated question, he said, and one requiring time to thrash +out to an equitable settlement. She had undertaken to remind him +of the service these men had done her, but, with a smile, he +interrupted; he could not allow such things to influence his +judicial attitude, and she must not endeavor to prejudice him in +the discharge of his duty. Recognizing the justice of this, she +had desisted. + +For many days the girl had caught scattered talk between the Judge +and McNamara, and between Struve and his associates, but it all +seemed foreign and dry, and beyond the fact that it bore on the +litigation over the Anvil Creek mines, she understood nothing and +cared less, particularly as a new interest had but recently come +into her life, an interest in the form of a man--McNamara. + +He had begun with quiet, half-concealed admiration of her, which +had rapidly increased until his attentions had become of a +singularly positive and resistless character. + +Judge Stillman was openly delighted, while the court of one like +Alec McNamara could but flatter any girl. In his presence, Helen +felt herself rebelling at his suit, yet as distance separated them +she thought ever more kindly of it. This state of mind contrasted +oddly with her feelings towards the other man she had met, for in +this country there were but two. When Glenister was with her she +saw his love lying nakedly in his eyes and it exercised some spell +which drew her to him in spite of herself, but when he had gone, +back came the distrust, the terror of the brute she felt was there +behind it all. The one appealed to her while present, the other +pled strongest while away. Now she was attempting to analyze her +feelings and face the future squarely, for she realized that her +affairs neared a crisis, and this, too, not a month after meeting +the men. She wondered if she would come to love her uncle's +friend. She did not know. Of the other she was sure--she never +could. + +Busied with these reflections, she noticed the familiar figure of +Dextry wandering aimlessly. He was not unkempt, and yet his air +gave her the impression of prolonged sleeplessness. Spying her, he +approached and seated himself in the sand against the boat, while +at her greeting he broke into talk as if he was needful only of +her friendly presence to stir his confidential chords into active +vibration. + +"We're in turrible shape, miss," he said. "Our claim's jumped. +Somebody run in and talked the boy out of it while I was gone, and +now we can't get 'em off. He's been tryin' this here new law game +that you-all brought in this summer. I've been drunk--that's 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 inform you that his surcingle had +broken or that he had witnessed a lynching. + +"What made them jump your claim?" + +"I don't know. I don't know nothin' about it, because, as I +remarked previous, I 'ain't follered the totterin' footsteps of +the law none too close. Nor do I intend to. I simply draws out of +the game fer a spell, and lets the youngster have his fling; then +if he can't make good, I'll take the cards and finish it for him. + +"It's like the time I was ranchin' with an Englishman up in +Montana. This here party claimed the misfortune of bein' a younger +son, whatever that is, and is grubstaked to a ranch by his people +back home. Havin' acquired an intimate knowledge of the West by +readin' Bret Harte, and havin' assim'lated the secrets 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 all about everything 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'll hunt 'em. +Ay, hunt 'em! Only fawncy the sport we'll 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. + +"'Fight?' says H'Anglish. 'My deah man, they're full-blooded. Cost +seventy pun each. They're dreadful creatures when they're roused-- +they'll tear a wolf to pieces like a rag--kill bears--anything. +Oh! Rully, perfectly dreadful!' + +"Well, it wasn't a week later that he went over to the east line +with me to mend a barb wire. I had my pliers and a hatchet and +some staples. About a mile 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. +H'Anglish was simply frothin' with excitement. + +"'What a misfortune! Neyther gun nor hounds.' + +"'I'll scratch his back and talk pretty to him,' says I, 'while +you run back and get a Winchester and them ferocious bull-dogs.' + +"'Wolf-hounds,' says he, with dignity, 'full-blooded, seventy pun +each. They'll rend the poor beast limb from limb. I hate to do it, +but it 'll be good practice for them.' + +"'They may be good renders,' says I, 'but don't forgit the gun.' + +"Well, 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 the bear--first one they'd ever +smelled, 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'. + +"'How you goin' to get him down?' says I. + +"'I'll shoot him in the lower jaw,' says the Britisher, 'so he +cawn't bite the dogs. It 'll give 'em cawnfidence.' + +"He takes aim at Mr. Bear's chin and misses it three times +runnin', he's that excited. + +"'Settle down, H'Anglish,' says I. 'He 'ain't got no double chins. +How many shells left in your gun?' "When he looks he finds there's +only one more, for he hadn't stopped to fill 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 a +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 profession-- +comprehensive, unreasoning, deep. + +"Is the old man all the kin you've got?" he questioned, 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 little tads and I haven't seen him +since. I heard about him, indirectly, at Skagway--three years ago- +-during the big rush to the Klondike, but he has never been home. +When father died, I went to live with Uncle Arthur--some day, +perhaps, I'll find my brother. He's cruel to hide from me this +way, for there are only we two left and I've loved him always." + +She spoke sadly and her mood blended well with the gloom of her +companion, so they stared silently out over the heaving green +waters. + +"It's a good thing me an' the kid had a little piece of money +ahead," Dextry resumed later, reverting to the thought that lay +uppermost in his mind, "'cause we'd be up against it right if we +hadn't. The boy couldn't have amused himself none with these court +proceedings, because they come high. I call 'em luxuries, like +brandied peaches an' silk undershirts. + +"I don't trust these Jim Crow banks no more than I do lawyers, +neither. No, sirree! I bought a iron safe an' hauled it out to the +mine. She weighs eighteen hundred, and we keep our money locked up +there. We've got a feller named Johnson watchin' it now. Steal it? +Well, hardly. They can't bust her open without a stick of 'giant' +which would rouse everybody in five miles, an' they can't lug her +off bodily--she's too heavy. No; it's safer there than any place I +know of. There ain't no abscondin' cashiers an' all that. Tomorrer +I'm goin' back to live on the claim an' watch this receiver man +till the thing's settled." + +When the girl arose to go, he accompanied her up through the deep +sand of the lane-like street to the main, muddy thoroughfare of +the camp. As yet, the planked and gravelled pavements, which later +threaded the town, were unknown, and the incessant traffic had +worn the road into a quagmire of chocolate-colored slush, almost +axle-deep, with which the store fronts, show-windows, and awnings +were plentifully shot and spattered from passing teams. Whenever a +wagon approached, pedestrians fled to the shelter of neighboring +doorways, watching a chance to dodge out again. When vehicles +passed from the comparative solidity of the main street out into +the morasses that constituted the rest of the town, they +adventured perilously, their horses plunging, snorting, terrified, +amid an atmosphere of profanity. Discouraged animals were down +constantly, and no foot-passenger, even with rubber boots, +ventured off the planks that led from house to house. + +To avoid a splashing team, Dextry pulled his companion close in +against the entrance to the Northern saloon, standing before her +protectingly. + +Although it was late in the afternoon the Bronco Kid had just +arisen and was now loafing preparatory to the active duties of his +profession. He was speaking with the proprietor when Dextry and +the girl sought shelter just without the open door, so he caught a +fair though fleeting glimpse of her as she flashed a curious look +inside. She had never been so close to a gambling-hall before, and +would have liked to peer in more carefully had she dared, but her +companion moved forward. At the first look the Bronco Kid had +broken off in his speech and stared at her as though at an +apparition. When she had vanished, he spoke to Reilly: + +"Who's that?" + +Reilly shrugged his shoulders, then without further question the +Kid turned back towards the empty theatre and out of the back +door. + +He moved nonchalantly till he was outside, then with the speed of +a colt ran down the narrow planking between the buildings, turned +parallel to the front street, leaped from board to board, splashed +through puddles of water till he reached the next alley. Stamping +the mud from his shoes and pulling down his sombrero, he sauntered +out into the main thoroughfare. + +Dextry and his companion had crossed to the other side and were +approaching, so the gambler gained a fair view of them. He +searched every inch of the girl's face and figure, then, as she +made to turn her eyes in his direction, he slouched away. He +followed, however, at a distance, till he saw the man leave her, +then on up to the big hotel he shadowed her. A half-hour later he +was drinking in the Golden Gate bar-room with an acquaintance who +ministered to the mechanical details behind the hotel counter. + +"Who's the girl I saw come in just now?" he inquired. + +"I guess you mean the Judge's niece." + +Both men spoke in the dead, restrained tones that go with their +callings. + +"What's her name?" + +"Chester, I think. Why? Look good to you, Kid?" + +Although the other neither spoke nor made sign, the bartender +construed his silence as acquiescence and continued, with a +conscious glance at his own reflection while he adjusted his +diamond scarf-pin: "Well, she can have ME! I've got it fixed to +meet her." + +"BAH! I guess not," said the Kid, suddenly, with an inflection +that startled the other from his preening. Then, as he went out, +the man mused: + +"Gee! Bronco's got the worst eye in the camp! Makes me creep when +he throws it on me with that muddy look. He acted like he was +jealous." + + At noon the next day, as he prepared to go to the claim, Dextry's +partner burst in upon him. Glenister was dishevelled, and his eyes +shone with intense excitement. + +"What d'you think they've done now?" he cried, as greeting. + +"I dunno. What is it?" + +"They've broken open the safe and taken our money." + +"What!" + +The old man in turn was on his feet, the grudge which he had felt +against Glenister in the past few days forgotten in this common +misfortune. + +"Yes, by Heaven, they've swiped our money--our tents, tools, +teams, books, hose, and all of our personal property--everything! +They threw Johnson off and took the whole works. I never heard of +such a thing. I went out to the claim and they wouldn't let me go +near the workings. They've got every mine on Anvil Creek guarded +the same way, and they aren't going to let us come around even +when they clean up. They told me so this morning." + +"But, look here," demanded Dextry, sharply, "the money in that +safe belongs to us. That's money we brought in from the States. +The court 'ain't got no right to it. What kind of a damn law is +that?" + +"Oh, as to law, they don't pay any attention to it any more," said +Glenister, bitterly. "I made a mistake in not killing the first +man that set foot on the claim. I was a sucker, and now we're up +against a stiff game. The Swedes are in the same fix, too. This +last order has left them groggy." "I don't understand it yet," +said Dextry. + +"Why, it's this way. The Judge has issued what he calls an order +enlarging the powers of the receiver, and it authorizes McNamara +to take possession of everything on the claims--tents, tools, +stores, and personal property of all kinds. It was issued last +night without notice to our side, so Wheaton says, and they served +it this morning early. I went out to see McNamara, and when I got +there I found him in our private tent with the safe broken open." + +"'What does this mean?' I said. And then he showed me the new +order. + +"'I'm responsible to the court for every penny of this money,' +said he, 'and for every tool on the claim. In view of that I can't +allow you to go near the workings.' + +"'Not go near the workings?' said I. 'Do you mean you won't let us +see the clean-ups from our own mine? How do we know we're getting +a square deal if we don't see the gold weighed?' + +"'I'm an officer of the court and under bond,' said he, and the +smiling triumph in his eyes made me crazy. + +"'You're a lying thief,' I said, looking at him square. 'And +you're going too far. You played me for a fool once and made it +stick, but it won't work twice.' + +"He looked injured and aggrieved and called in Voorhees, the +marshal. I can't grasp the thing at all; everybody seems to be +against us, the Judge, the marshal, the prosecuting attorney-- +everybody. Yet they've done it all according to law, they claim, +and have the soldiers to back them up." + +"It's just as Mexico Mullins said," Dextry stormed; "there's a +deal on of some kind. I'm goin' up to the hotel an' call on the +Judge myself. I 'ain't never seen him nor this McNamara, either. I +allus want to look a man straight in the eyes once, then I know +what course to foller in my dealings." + +"You'll find them both," said Glenister, "for McNamara rode into +town behind me." + +The old prospector proceeded to the Golden Gate Hotel and inquired +for Judge Stillman's room. A boy attempted to take his name, but +he seized him by the scruff of the neck and sat him in his seat, +proceeding unannounced to the suite to which he had been directed. +Hearing voices, he knocked, and then, without awaiting a summons, +walked in. + +The room was fitted like an office, with desk, table, type-writer, +and law-books. Other rooms opened from it on both sides. Two men +were talking earnestly--one gray-haired, smooth-shaven, and +clerical, the other tall, picturesque, and masterful. With his +first glance the miner knew that before him were the two he had +come to see, and that in reality he had to deal with but one, the +big man who shot at him the level glances. + +"We are engaged," said the Judge, "very busily engaged, sir. Will +you call again in half an hour?" + +Dextry looked him over carefully from head to foot, then turned +his back on him and regarded the other. Neither he nor McNamara +spoke, but their eyes were busy and each instinctively knew that +here was a foe. + +"What do you want?" McNamara inquired, finally. + +"I just dropped in to get acquainted. My name is Dextry--Joe +Dextry--from everywhere west of the Missouri--an' your name is +McNamara, ain't it? This here, I reckon, is your little French +poodle--eh?" indicating Stillman. + +"What do you mean?" said McNamara, while the Judge murmured +indignantly. + +"Just what I say. However, that ain't what I want to talk about. I +don't take no stock in such truck as judges an' lawyers an' orders +of court. They ain't intended to be took serious. They're all +right for children 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 look 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 the shoulder, yet in his palm lay a six- +shooter. He had slipped it from his trousers band with the ease of +long practice and absolute surety. Judge Stillman gasped and +backed against the desk, but McNamara idly swung his leg as he sat +sidewise 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 lawyer, "you +can wear this court in your vest-pocket like a Waterbury, if you +want to, but if you don't let me alone, I'll uncoil its main- +spring. That's all." + +He replaced his weapon and, turning, walked out the door. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +SLUICE ROBBERS + + +"We must have money," said Glenister a few days later. "When +McNamara jumped our safe he put us down and out. There's no use +fighting in this court any longer, for the Judge won't let us work +the ground ourselves, even if we give bond, and he won't grant an +appeal. He says his orders aren't appealable. We ought to send +Wheaton out to 'Frisco and have him take the case to the higher +courts. Maybe he can get a writ of supersedeas." + +"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 for it?" + +"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 ten thousand +dollars to us. It 'll take him a month to make the round trip, so +I s'pose he ought to leave tomorrow on the Roanoke." + +"Yes, but where's the money to do it with? McNamara has ours. My +God! What a mess we're in! What fools we've been, Dex! There's a +conspiracy here. I'm beginning to see it now that it's too late. +This man is looting our country under color of law, and figures on +gutting all the mines before we can throw him off. That's his +game. He'll work them as hard and as long as he can, and Heaven +only knows what will become of the money. He must have big men +behind him in order to fix a United States judge this way. Maybe +he has the 'Frisco courts corrupted, too." + +"If he has, I'm goin' to kill him," said Dextry. "I've worked like +a dog all my life, and now that I've struck pay I don't aim to +lose it. If Bill Wheaton can't win out accordin' to law, I'm goin' +to proceed accordin' to justice." + +During the past two days the partners had haunted the court-room +where their lawyer, together with the counsel for the +Scandinavians, had argued and pleaded, trying every possible +professional and unprofessional artifice in search of relief from +the arbitrary rulings of the court, while hourly they had become +more strongly suspicious of some sinister plot--some hidden, +powerful understanding back of the Judge and the entire mechanism +of justice. They had fought with the fury of men who battle for +life, and had grown to hate the lines of Stillman's vacillating +face, the bluster of the district-attorney, and the smirking +confidence of the clerks, for it seemed that they all worked +mechanically, like toys, at the dictates of Alec McNamara. At +last, when they had ceased, beaten and exhausted, they were too +confused with technical phrases to grasp anything except the fact +that relief was denied them; that their claims were to be worked +by the receiver; and, as a crowning defeat, they learned that the +Judge would move his court to St. Michael's and hear no cases +until he returned, a month later. + +Meanwhile, McNamara hired every idle man he could lay hand upon, +and ripped the placers open with double shifts. Every day a stream +of yellow dust poured into the bank and was locked in his vaults, +while those mine-owners who attempted to witness the clean-ups +were ejected from their claims. The politician had worked with +incredible swiftness and system, and a fortnight after landing he +had made good his boast to Struve, and was in charge of every good +claim in the district, the owners were ousted, their appeals +argued and denied, and the court gone for thirty days, leaving him +a clear field for his operations. He felt a contempt for most of +his victims, who were slow-witted Swedes, grasping neither the +purport nor the magnitude of his operation, and as to those +litigants who were discerning enough to see its enormity, he +trusted to his organization to thwart them. + +The two partners had come to feel that they were beating against a +wall, and had also come squarely to face the proposition that they +were without funds wherewith to continue their battle. It was +maddening for them to think of the daily robbery that they +suffered, for the Midas turned out many ounces of gold at every +shift; and more maddening to realize the receiver's shrewdness in +crippling them by his theft of the gold in their safe. That had +been his crowning stroke. + +"We MUST get money quick," said Glenister. "Do you think we can +borrow?" + +"Borrow?" sniffed Dextry. "Folks don't lend money in Alaska." + +They relapsed into a moody silence. + +"I met a feller this mornin' that's workin' on the Midas," the old +man resumed. "He came in town fer a pair of gum boots, an' he says +they've run into awful rich ground--so rich that they have to +clean up every morning when the night shift goes off 'cause the +riffles clog with gold." + +"Think of it!" Glenister growled. "If we had even a part of one of +those clean-ups we could send Wheaton outside." + +In the midst of his bitterness a thought struck him. He made as +though to speak, then closed his mouth; but his partner's eyes +were on him, filled with a suppressed but growing fire. Dextry +lowered his voice cautiously: + +"There'll be twenty thousand dollars in them sluices to-night at +midnight." + +Glenister stared back while his pulse pounded at something that +lay in the other's words. + +"It belongs to us," the young man said. "There wouldn't be +anything wrong about it, would there?" + +Dextry sneered. "Wrong! Right! Them is fine an' soundin' titles in +a mess like this. What do they mean? I tell you, at midnight to- +night Alec McNamara will have twenty thousand dollars of our +money--" + +"God! What would happen if they caught us?" whispered the younger, +following out his thought. "They'd never let us get off the claim +alive. He couldn't find a better excuse to shoot us down and get +rid of us. If we came up before this Judge for trial, we'd go to +Sitka for twenty years." + +"Sure! But it's our only chance. I'd ruther die on the Midas in a +fair fight than set here bitin' my hangnails. I'm growin' old and +I won't never make another strike. As to bein' caught--them's our +chances. I won't be took alive--I promise you that--and before I +go I'll get my satisfy. Castin' things up, that's about all a man +gets in this vale of tears, jest satisfaction of one kind or +another. It'll be a fight in the open, under the stars, with the +clean, wet moss to lie 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-in, 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 valley 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 upward 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 sluices subsided, his +men quit work and climbed the bluff to the mess tent. The +dwellings of the Midas, as has already been explained, sat back +from the creek at a distance of a city block, the workings being +thus partially hidden under the brow of the steep bank. + +It is customary to leave a watchman in the pit during the noon and +midnight hours, not only to see that strangers preserve a neutral +attitude, but also to watch the waste-gates and water supply. The +night man of the Midas had been warned of his responsibility, and, +knowing that much gold lay in his keeping, was disposed to gaze on +the curious-minded with the sourness of suspicion. Therefore, as a +man leading a pack-horse approached out of the gloom of the creek- +trail, his eyes were on him from the moment he appeared. The road +wound along the gravel of the bars and passed in proximity to the +flumes. However, the wayfarer paid no attention to them, and the +watchman detected an explanatory weariness in his slow gait. + +"Some prospector getting in from a trip," he thought. + +The stranger stopped, scratched a match, and, as he undertook to +light his pipe, the observer caught the mahogany shine of a +negro's face. The match sputtered out and then came impatient +blasphemy as he searched for another. + +"Evenin', sah! You-all oblige me with a match?" + +He addressed the watcher on the bank above, and, without waiting a +reply, began to climb upward. + +No smoker on the trail will deny the luxury of a light to the most +humble, so as the negro gained his level the man reached forth to +accommodate him. Without warning, the black man leaped forward +with the ferocity of an animal and struck the other a fearful +blow. The watchman sank with a faint, startled cry, and the +African dragged him out of sight over the brow of the bank, where +he rapidly tied him hand and foot, stuffing a gag into his mouth. +At the same moment two other figures rounded the bend below and +approached. They were mounted and leading a third saddle-horse, as +well as other pack-animals. Reaching the workings, they +dismounted. Then began a strange procedure, for one man clambered +upon the sluices and, with a pick, ripped out the riffles. This +was a matter of only a few seconds; then, seizing a shovel, he +transferred the concentrates which lay in the bottom of the boxes +into canvas sacks which his companion held. As each bag was +filled, it was tied and dumped into the cut. They treated but four +boxes in this way, leaving the lower two-thirds of the flume +untouched, for Anvil Creek gold is coarse and the heart of the +clean-up lies where it is thrown in. Gathering the sacks together, +they lashed them upon the pack-animals, then mounted the second +string of sluices and began as before. Throughout it all they +worked with feverish haste and in unbroken silence, every moment +flashing quick glances at the figure of the lookout who stood on +the crest above, half dimmed in the shadow of a willow clump. +Judging by their rapidity and sureness, they were expert miners. + +From the tent came the voices of the night shift at table, and the +faint rattle of dishes, while the canvas walls glowed from the +lights within like great fire-flies hidden in the grass. The +foreman, finishing his meal, appeared at the door of the mess +tent, and, pausing to accustom his eyes to the gloom, peered +perfunctorily towards the creek. The watchman detached himself +from the shadow, moving out into plain sight, and the boss turned +back. The two men below were now working on the sluices which lay +close under the bank and were thus hidden from the tent. + + McNamara's description of Anvil Creek's riches had fired Helen +Chester with the desire to witness a clean-up, so they had ridden +out from town in time for supper at the claim. She had not known +whither he led her, only understanding that provision for her +entertainment would be made with the superintendent's wife. Upon +recognizing the Midas, she had endeavored to question him as to +why her friends had been dispossessed, and he had answered, as it +seemed, straight and true. + +The ground was in dispute, he said--another man claimed it--and +while the litigation pended he was in charge for the court, to see +that neither party received injury. He spoke adroitly, and it +satisfied her to have the proposition resolved into such +simplicity. + +She had come prepared to spend the night and witness the early +morning operation, so the receiver made the most of his +opportunity. He showed her over the workings, explaining the many +things that were strange to her. Not only was he in himself a +fascinating figure to any woman, but wherever he went men regarded +him deferentially, and nothing affects a woman's judgment more +promptly than this obvious sign of power. He spent the evening +with her, talking of his early days and the things he had done in +the West, his story matching the picturesqueness of her canvas- +walled quarters with their rough furnishings of skins and +blankets. Being a keen observer as well as a finished raconteur, +he had woven a spell of words about the girl, leaving her in a +state of tumult and indecision when at last, towards midnight, he +retired to his own tent. She knew to what end all this was +working, and yet knew not what her answer would be when the +question came which lay behind it all. At moments she felt the +wonderful attraction of the man, and still there was some distrust +of him which she could not fathom. Again her thoughts reverted to +Glenister, the impetuous, and she compared the two, so similar in +some ways, so utterly opposed in others. + +It was when she heard the night shift at their meal that she threw +a silken shawl about her head, stepped into the cool night, and +picked her way down towards the roar of the creek. "A breath of +air and then to bed," she thought. She saw the tall figure of the +watchman and made for him. He seemed oddly interested in her +approach, watching her very closely, almost as though alarmed. It +was doubtless because there were so few women out here, or +possibly on account of the lateness of the hour. Away with +conventions! This was the land of instinct and impulse. She would +talk to him. The man drew his hat more closely about his face and +moved off as she came up. Glenister had been in her thoughts a +moment since, and she now noted that here was another with the +same great, square shoulders and erect head. Then she saw with a +start that this one was a negro. He carried a Winchester and +seemed to watch her carefully, yet with indecision. + +To express her interest and to break the silence, she questioned +him, but at the sound of her voice he stepped towards her and +spoke roughly. + +"What!" + +Then he paused, and stammered in a strangely altered and unnatural +voice: + +"Yass'm. I'm the watchman." + +She noted two other darkies at work below and was vaguely +surprised, not so much at their presence, as at the manner in +which they moved, for they seemed under stress of some great +haste, running hither and yon. She saw horses standing in the +trail and sensed something indefinably odd and alarming in the +air. Turning to the man, she opened her mouth to speak, when from +the rank grass under her feet came a noise which set her a-tingle, +and at which her suspicions leaped full to the solution. It was +the groan of a man. Again he gave voice to his pain, and she knew +that she stood face to face with something sinister. Tales of +sluice robbers had come to her, and rumors of the daring raids +into which men were lured by the yellow sheen--and yet this was +incredible. A hundred men lay within sound of her voice; she could +hear their laughter; one was whistling a popular refrain. A +quarter-mile away on every hand were other camps; a scream from +her would bring them all. Nonsense, this was no sluice robbery-- +and then the man in the bushes below moaned for the third time. + +"What is that?" she said. + +Without reply the negro lowered the muzzle of his rifle till it +covered her breast and at the same time she heard the double click +of the hammer. + +"Keep still and don't move," he warned. "We're desperate and we +can't take any chances, Miss." + +"Oh, you are stealing the gold--" + +She was wildly frightened, yet stood still while the lookout +anxiously divided his attention between her and the tents above +until his companions signalled him that they were through and the +horses were loaded. Then he spoke: + +"I don't know what to do with you, but I guess I'll tie you up." + +"What!" she said. + +"I'm going to tie and gag you so you can't holler." + +"Oh, don't you DARE!" she cried, fiercely. "I'll stand right here +till you've gone and I won't scream. I promise." She looked up at +him appealingly, at which he dipped his head, so that she caught +only a glimpse of his face, and then backed away. + +"All right! Don't try it, because I'll be hidden in those bushes +yonder at the bend and I'll keep you covered till the others are +gone." He leaped down the bank, ran to the cavalcade, mounted +quickly, and the three lashed their horses into a run, +disappearing up the trail around the sharp curve. She heard the +blows of their quirts as they whipped the pack-horses. + +They were long out of sight before the girl moved or made sound, +although she knew that none of the three had paused at the bend. +She only stood and gazed, for as they galloped off she had heard +the scrap of a broken sentence. It was but one excited word, +sounding through the rattle of hoofs--her own name--"Helen"; and +yet because of it she did not voice the alarm, but rather began to +piece together, bit by bit, the strange points of this adventure. +She recalled the outlines of her captor with a wrinkle of +perplexity. Her fright disappeared entirely, giving place to +intense excitement. "No, no--it can't be--and yet I wonder if it +IS!" she cried. "Oh, I wonder if it could be!" She opened her lips +to cry aloud, then hesitated. She started towards the tents, then +paused, and for many moments after the hoof-beats had died out she +stayed undecided. Surely she wished to give the signal, to force +the fierce pursuit. What meant this robbery, this defiance of the +law, of her uncle's edicts and of McNamara? They were common +thieves, criminals, outlaws, these men, deserving punishment, and +yet she recalled a darker night, when she herself had sobbed and +quivered with the terrors of pursuit and two men had shielded her +with their bodies. + +She turned and sped towards the tents, bursting in through the +canvas door; instantly every man rose to his feet at sight of her +pallid face, her flashing eyes, and rumpled hair. + +"Sluice robbers!" she cried, breathlessly. "Quick! A hold-up! The +watchman is hurt!" + +A roar shook the night air, and the men poured out past her, while +the day shift came tumbling forth from every quarter in various +stages of undress. + +"Where? Who did it? Where did they go?" + +McNamara appeared among them, fierce and commanding, seeming to +grasp the situation intuitively, without explanation from her. + +"Come on, men. We'll run 'em down. Get out the horses. Quick!" + +He was mounted even as he spoke, and others joined him. Then +turning, he waved his long arm up the valley towards the +mountains. "Divide into squads of five and cover the hills! Run +down to Discovery, one of you, and telephone to town for Voorhees +and a posse." + +As they made ready to ride away, the girl cried: + +"Stop! Not that way. They went DOWN the gulch--three negroes." + +She pointed out of the valley, towards the dim glow on the +southern horizon, and the cavalcade rode away into the gloom. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE WIT OF AN ADVENTURESS + + +Up creek the three negroes fled, past other camps, to where the +stream branched. Here they took to the right and urged their +horses along a forsaken trail to the head-waters of the little +tributary and over the low saddle. They had endeavored to reach +unfrequented paths as soon as possible in order that they might +pass unnoticed. Before quitting the valley they halted their +heaving horses, and, selecting a stagnant pool, scoured the grease +paint from their features as best they could. Their ears were +strained for sounds of pursuit, but, as the moments passed and +none came, the tension eased somewhat and they conversed +guardedly. As the morning light spread they crossed the moss- +capped summit of the range, but paused again, and, removing two +saddles, hid them among the rocks. Slapjack left the others here +and rode southward down the Dry Creek Trail towards town, while +the partners shifted part of the weight from the overloaded pack- +mules to the remaining saddle-animals and continued eastward along +the barren comb of hills on foot, leading the five horses. + +"It don't seem like we'll get away this easy," said Dextry, +scanning the back trail. "If we do, I'll be tempted to foller the +business reg'lar. This grease paint on my face makes me smell like +a minstrel man. I bet we'll get some bully press notices to- +morrow." + +"I wonder what Helen was doing there," Glenister answered, +irrelevantly, for he had been more shaken by his encounter with +her than at his part in the rest or the enterprise, and his mind, +which should have been busied with the flight, held nothing but +pictures of her as she stood in the half darkness under the fear +of his Winchester. "What if she ever learned who that black +ruffian was!" He quailed at the thought. + +"Say, Dex, I am going to marry that girl." + +"I dunno if you be or not," said Dextry. "Better watch McNamara." + +"What!" The younger man stopped and stared. "What do you mean?" + +"Go on. Don't stop the horses. I ain't blind. I kin 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 about." He moved his hands eloquently. "You can't +understand." + +"Um-m! I s'pose not," grunted Dextry, but his eyes were level and +held the light of the past. + +"He may be a rascal," the old man continued, after a little; "I'll +put in with you on that; but he's a handsome devil, and, as for +manners, he makes you look like a logger. He's a brave man, too. +Them three qualities are trump-cards and warranted to take most +any queen in 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. + +In the gray of the early morning they descended the foot-hills +into the wide valley of the Nome River and filed out across the +rolling country to the river bluffs where, cleverly concealed +among the willows, was a rocker. This they set up, then proceeded +to wash the dirt from the sacks carefully, yet with the utmost +speed, for there was serious danger of discovery. It was +wonderful, this treasure of the richest ground since the days of +'49, and the men worked with shining eyes and hands a-tremble. The +gold was coarse, and many ragged, yellow lumps, too large to pass +through the screen, rolled in the hopper, while the aprons bellied +with its weight. In the pans which they had provided there grew a +gleaming heap of wet, raw gold. + +Shortly, by divergent routes, the partners rode unnoticed into +town, and into the excitement of the hold-up news, while the tardy +still lingered over their breakfasts. Far out in the roadstead lay +the Roanoke, black smoke pouring from her stack. A tug was +returning from its last trip to her. + +Glenister forced his lathered horse down to the beach and +questioned the longshoremen who hung about. + +"No; it's too late to get aboard--the last tender is on its way +back," they informed him. "If you want to go to the 'outside' +you'll have to wait for the fleet. That only means another week, +and--there she blows now." + +A ribbon of white mingled with the velvet from the steamer's +funnel and there came a slow, throbbing, farewell blast. + +Glenister's jaw clicked and squared. + +"Quick! You men!" he cried to the sailors. "I want the lightest +dory on the beach and the strongest oarsmen in the crowd. I'll be +back in five minutes. There's a hundred dollars in it for you if +we catch that ship." + +He whirled and spurred up through the mud of the streets. Bill +Wheaton was snoring luxuriously when wrenched from his bed by a +dishevelled man who shook him into wakefulness and into a portion +of his clothes, with a storm of excited instructions. The lawyer +had neither time nor opportunity for expostulation, for Glenister +snatched a valise and swept into it a litter of documents from the +table. + +"Hurry up, man," he yelled, as the lawyer dived frantically about +his office in a rabbit-like hunt for items. "My Heavens! Are you +dead? Wake up! The ship's leaving." With sleep still in his eyes +Wheaton was dragged down the street to the beach, where a knot had +assembled to witness the race. As they tumbled 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 bending 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 off." + +Glenister stripped off his coat and, facing the bow, pushed 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 +miles that lay towards the ship. He urged the men with all 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 uttered a cry and Glenister +desisted from his work with a curse. The Roanoke was moving +slowly. + +The rowers rested, but the young man shouted at them to begin +again, and, seizing a boat-hook, stuck it into the arms of his +coat. He waved this on high while the men redoubled their efforts. +For many moments they hung in suspense, watching the black hull as +it gathered speed, and then, as they were about to cease their +effort, a puff of steam burst from its whistle and the next moment +a short toot of recognition reached them. Glenister wiped the +moisture from his brow and grinned at Wheaton. + +A quarter of an hour later, as they lay heaving below the ship's +steel sides, he thrust a heavy buckskin sack into the lawyer's +hand. + +"There's money to win the fight, Bill. I don't know how much, but +it's enough. God bless you. Hurry back!" + +A sailor cast them a whirling rope, up which Wheaton clambered; +then, tying the gripsack to its end, they sent it after. + +"Important!" the young man yelled at the officer on the bridge. +"Government business." He heard a muffled clang in the engine- +room, the thrash of the propellers followed, and the big ship +glided past. + +As Glenister dragged himself up the beach, upon landing, Helen +Chester called to him, and made room for him beside her. It had +never been necessary to call him to her side before; and equally +unfamiliar was the abashment, or perhaps physical weariness, that +led the young man to sink back in the warm sand with a sigh of +relief. She noted that, for the first time, the audacity was gone +from his eyes. + +"I watched your race," she began. "It was very exciting and I +cheered for you." + +He smiled quietly. + +"What made you keep 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 because 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 overwhelmed her with the boldness of his suit. For +Glenister 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?" she asked. + +"No; I've been too busy to inquire. I was told the health officers +quarantined her when she arrived, that's all." + +"She was sent to Egg Island with every one aboard. She has been +there more than a month now and may not get away this summer." + +"What a disappointment for the poor devils on her!" + +"Yes, and only for what you did, I should be one of them," Helen +remarked. + +"I didn't do much," he said. "The fighting part is easy. It's not +half so hard as to give up your property and lie still while--" + +"Did you do that because I asked you to--because I asked you to +put aside the old ways?" A wave of compassion swept over her. + +"Certainly," he answered. "It didn't come easy, but--" + +"Oh, I thank you," said she. "I know it is all for the best. Uncle +Arthur wouldn't do anything wrong, and Mr. McNamara is an +honorable man." + +He turned towards her to speak, but refrained. He could not tell +her what he felt certain of. She believed in her own blood and in +her uncle's friends--and it was not for him to speak of McNamara. +The rules of the game sealed his lips. + +She was thinking again, "If only you had not acted as you did." +She longed to help him now in his trouble as he had helped her, +but what could she do? The law was such a confusing, intricate, +perplexing thing. + +"I spent last night at the Midas," she told him, "and rode back +early this morning. That was a daring hold-up, wasn't it?" + +"What hold-up?" + +"Why, haven't you heard the news?" + +"No" he answered, steadily. "I just got up." + +"Your claim was robbed. Three men overcame the watchman at +midnight and cleaned the boxes." + +His simulation of excited astonishment was perfect and he rained a +shower of questions upon her. She noted with approval that he did +not look her in the eye, however. He was not an accomplished liar. +Now McNamara had a countenance of iron. Unconsciously she made +comparison, and the young man at her side did not lose thereby. + +"Yes, I saw it all," she concluded, after recounting the details. +"The negro wanted to bind me so that I couldn't give the alarm, +but his chivalry prevented. He was a most gallant darky." + +"What did you do when they left?" + +"Why, I kept my word and waited until they were out of sight, then +I roused the camp, and set Mr. McNamara and his men right after +them down the gulch." + +"DOWN the gulch!" spoke Glenister, off his guard. + +"Yes, of course. Did you think they went UP-stream?" She was +looking squarely at him now, and he dropped his eyes. "No, the +posse started in that direction, but I put them right." There was +an odd light in her glance, and he felt the blood drumming in his +ears. + +She sent them down-stream! So that was why there had been no +pursuit! Then she must suspect--she must know everything! +Glenister was stunned. Again his love for the girl surged +tumultuously within him and demanded expression. But Miss Chester, +no longer feeling sure that she had the situation in hand, had +already started to return to the hotel. "I saw the men +distinctly," she told him, before they separated, "and I could +identify them all." + +At his own house Glenister found Dextry removing the stains of the +night's adventure. + +"Miss Chester recognized us last night," he announced. + +"How do you know?" + +"She told me so just now, and, what's more, she sent McNamara and +his crowd down the creek instead of up. That's why we got away so +easily." + +"Well, well--ain't she a brick? She's even with us now. By-the- +way, I wonder how much we cleaned up, anyhow--let's weigh it." +Going to the bed, Dextry turned back the blankets, exposing four +moose-skin sacks, wet and heavy, where he had thrown them. + +"There must have been twenty thousand dollars with what I gave +Wheaton," said Glenister. + +At that moment, without warning, the door was flung open, and as +the young man jerked the blankets into place he whirled, snatched +the six-shooter that Dextry had discarded, and covered the +entrance. + +"Don't shoot, boy!" cried the new-comer, breathlessly. "My, but +you're nervous!" + +Glenister dropped his gun. It was Cherry Malotte; and, from her +heaving breast and the flying colors in her cheeks, the men saw +she had been running. She did not give them time to question, but +closed and locked the door while the words came tumbling from her: + +"They're on to you, boys--you'd better duck out quick. They're on +their way up here now." + +"What!" + +"Who?" + +"Quick! I heard McNamara and Voorhees, the marshal, talking. +Somebody has spotted you for the hold-ups. They're on their way +now, I tell you. I sneaked out by the back way and came here +through the mud. Say, but I'm a sight!" She stamped her trimly +booted feet and flirted her skirt. + +"I don't savvy what you mean," said Dextry, glancing at his +partner warningly. "We ain't done nothin'." + +"Well, it's all right then. I took a long chance so you could make +a get-away if you wanted to, because they've got warrants for you +for that sluice robbery last night. Here they are now." She darted +to the window, the men peering over her shoulder. Coming up the +narrow walk they saw Voorhees, McNamara, and three others. + +The house stood somewhat isolated and well back on the tundra, so +that any one approaching it by the planking had an unobstructed +view of the premises. Escape was impossible, for the back door led +out into the ankle-deep puddles of the open prairie; and it was +now apparent that a sixth man had made a circuit and was +approaching from the rear. + +"My God! They'll search the place," said Dextry, and the men +looked grimly in each other's faces. + +Then in a flash Glenister stripped back the blankets and seized +the "pokes," leaping into the back room. In another instant he +returned with them and faced desperately the candid bareness of +the little room that they lived and slept in. Nothing could be +hidden; it was folly to think of it. There was a loft overhead, he +remembered, hopefully, then realized that the pursuers would +search there first of all. + +"I told you he was a hard fighter," said Dextry, as the quick +footsteps grew louder. "He ain't no fool neither. 'Stead of our +bein' caught in the mountains, I reckon we'll shoot it out here. +We should have cached that gold somewhere." + +He spun the cylinder of his blackened Colt, while his face grew +hard and vulture-like. + +Meanwhile, Cherry Malotte watched the hunted look in Glenister's +face grow wilder and then stiffen into the stubbornness of a man +at bay. The posse was at the door now, knocking. The three inside +stood rigid and strained. Then Glenister tossed his burden on the +bed. + +"Go into the back room, Cherry; there's going to be trouble." + +"Who's there?" inquired Dextry through the door, to gain time. +Suddenly, without a word, the girl glided to the hot-blast heater, +now cold and empty, which stood in a corner of the room. These +stoves, used widely in the North, are vertical iron cylinders into +which coal is poured from above. She lifted the lid and peered in +to find it a quarter full of dead ashes, then turned with shining +eyes and parted lips to Glenister. He caught the hint, and in an +instant the four sacks were dropped softly into the feathery +bottom and the ashes raked over. The daring manoeuvre was almost +as quick as the flash of woman's wit that prompted it, and was +carried through while the answer to Dextry's question was still +unspoken. + +Then Glenister opened the door carelessly and admitted the group +of men. + +"We've got a search-warrant to look through your house," said +Voorhees. + +"What are you looking for?" + +"Gold-dust from Anvil Creek." + +"All right--search away." + +They rapidly scoured the premises, covering every inch, paying no +heed to the girl, who watched them with indifferent eyes, nor to +the old man, who glared at their every movement. Glenister was +carelessly sarcastic, although he kept his right arm free, while +beneath his sang-froid was a thoroughly trained alertness. + +McNamara directed the search with a manner wholly lacking in his +former mock courtesy. It was as though he had been soured by the +gall of defeat. The mask had fallen off now, and his character +showed--insistent, overbearing, cruel. Towards the partners he +preserved a contemptuous silence. + +The invaders ransacked thoroughly, while a dozen times the hearts +of Cherry Malotte and her two companions stopped, then lunged +onward, as McNamara or Voorhees approached, then passed the stove. +At last Voorhees lifted the lid and peered into its dark interior. +At the same instant the girl cried out, sharply, flinging herself +from her position, while the marshal jerked his head back in time +to see her dash upon Dextry. + +"Don't! Don't!" She cried her appeal to the old man. "Keep cool. +You'll be sorry, Dex--they're almost through." + +The officer had not seen any movement on Dextry's part, but +doubtless her quick eye had detected signs of violence. McNamara +emerged, glowering, from the back room at that moment. + +"Let them hunt," the girl was saying, while Dextry stared dazedly +over her head. "They won't find anything. Keep cool and don't act +rash." + +Voorhees's duties sat uncomfortably upon him at the best, and, +looking at the smouldering eyes of the two men, he became averse +to further search in a powdery household whose members itched to +shoot him in the back. + +"It isn't here," he reported; but the politician only scowled, +then spoke for the first time directly to the partners: + +"I've got warrants for both of you and I'm tempted to take you in, +but I won't. I'm not through yet--not by any means. I'll get you-- +get you both." He turned out of the door, followed by the marshal, +who called off his guards, and the group filed back along the +walk. + +"Say, you're a jewel, Cherry. You've saved us twice. You caught +Voorhees just in time. My heart hit my palate when he looked into +that stove, but the next instant I wanted to laugh at Dextry's +expression." + +Impulsively Glenister laid his hands upon her shoulders. At his +look and touch her throat swelled, her bosom heaved, and the +silken lids fluttered until she seemed choked by a very flood of +sweet womanliness. She blushed like a little maid and laughed a +timid, broken laugh; then pulling herself together, the merry, +careless tone came into her voice and her cheeks grew cool and +clear. + +"You wouldn't trust me at first, eh? Some day you'll find that +your old friends are the best, after all." + +And as she left them she added, mockingly: + +"Say, you're a pair of 'shine' desperadoes. You need a governess." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +WHEREIN A WRIT AND A RIOT FAIL + + +A Raw, gray day with a driving drizzle from seaward and a leaden +rack of clouds drifting low matched the sullen, fitful mood of +Glenister. + +During the last month he had chafed and fretted like an animal in +leash for word of Wheaton. This uncertainty, this impotent waiting +with folded hands, was maddening to one of his spirit. He could +apply himself to no fixed duty, for the sense of his wrong preyed +on him fiercely, and he found himself haunting the vicinity of the +Midas, gazing at it from afar, grasping hungrily for such scraps +of news as chanced to reach him. McNamara allowed access to none +but his minions, so the partners knew but vaguely of what happened +on their property, even though, under fiction of law, it was being +worked for their protection. + +No steps regarding a speedy hearing of the case were allowed, and +the collusion between Judge Stillman and the receiver had become +so generally recognized that there were uneasy mutterings and +threats in many quarters. Yet, although the politician had by now +virtually absorbed all the richest properties in the district and +worked them through his hirelings, the people of Nome as a whole +did not grasp the full turpitude of the scheme nor the system's +perfect working. + +Strange to say, Dextry, the fire-eater, had assumed an Oriental +patience quite foreign to his peppery disposition, and spent much +of his time in the hills prospecting. + +On this day, as the clouds broke, about noon, close down on the +angry horizon a drift of smoke appeared, shortly resolving itself +into a steamer. She lay to in the offing, and through his glasses +Glenister saw that it was the Roanoke. As the hours passed and no +boat put off, he tried to hire a crew, but the longshoremen spat +wisely and shook their heads as they watched the surf. + +"There's the devil of an undertow settin' along this beach," they +told him, "and the water's too cold to drownd in comfortable." So +he laid firm hands upon his impatience. + +Every day meant many dollars to the watcher, and yet it seemed +that nature was resolute in thwarting him, for that night the wind +freshened and daylight saw the ship hugging the lee of Sledge +Island, miles to the westward, while the surf, white as boiling +milk, boomed and thundered against the shore. + +Word had gone through the street that Bill Wheaton was aboard with +a writ, or a subpoena, or an alibi, or whatever was necessary to +put the "kibosh" on McNamara, so public excitement grew. McNamara +hoarded his gold in the Alaska Bank, and it was taken for granted +that there would lie the scene of the struggle. No one supposed +for an instant that the usurper would part with the treasure +peaceably. + +On the third morning the ship lay abreast of the town again and a +life-boat was seen to make off from her, whereupon the idle +population streamed towards the beach. + +"She'll make it to the surf all right, but then watch out." + +"We'd better make ready to haul 'em out," said another. "It's +mighty dangerous." And sure enough, as the skiff came rushing in +through the breakers she was caught. + +She had made it past the first line, soaring over the bar on a +foamy roller-crest like a storm-driven gull winging in towards the +land. The wiry figure of Bill Wheaton crouched in the stern while +two sailors fought with their oars. As they gathered for their +rush through the last zone of froth, a great comber rose out of +the sea behind them, rearing high above their heads. The crowd at +the surf's edge shouted. The boat wavered, sucked back into the +ocean's angry maw, and with a crash the deluge engulfed them. +There remained nothing but a swirling flood through which the +life-boat emerged bottom up, amid a tangle of oars, gratings, and +gear. + +Men rushed into the water, and the next roller pounded them back +upon the marble-hard sand. There came the sound of splitting wood, +and then a group swarmed in waist-deep and bore out a dripping +figure. It was a hempen-headed seaman, who shook the water from +his mane and grinned when his breath had come. + +A step farther down the beach the by-standers seized a limp form +which the tide rolled to them. It was the second sailor, his scalp +split from a blow of the gunwale. Nowhere was Wheaton. + +Glenister had plunged to the rescue first, a heaving-line about +his middle, and although buffeted about he had reached the wreck, +only to miss sight of the lawyer utterly. He had time for but a +glance when he was drawn outward by the undertow till the line at +his waist grew taut, then the water surged over him and he was +hurled high up on the beach again. He staggered dizzily back to +the struggle, when suddenly a wave lifted the capsized cutter and +righted it, and out from beneath shot the form of Wheaton, grimly +clutching the life-ropes. They brought him in choking and +breathless. + +"I got it," he said, slapping his streaming breast. "It's all +right, Glenister, I knew what delay meant so I took a long chance +with the surf." The terrific ordeal he had undergone had blanched +him to the lips, his legs wabbled uncertainly, and he would have +fallen but for the young man, who thrust an arm about his waist +and led him up into the town. + +"I went before the Circuit Court of Appeals in 'Frisco," he +explained later, "and they issued orders allowing an appeal from +this court and gave me a writ of supersedeas directed against old +Judge Stillman. That takes the litigation out of his hands +altogether, and directs McNamara to turn over the Midas and all +the gold he's got. What do you think of that? I did better than I +expected." + +Glenister wrung his hand silently while a great satisfaction came +upon him. At last this waiting was over and his peaceful yielding +to injustice had borne fruit; had proven the better course after +all, as the girl had prophesied. He could go to her now with clean +hands. The mine was his again. He would lay it at her feet, +telling her once more of his love and the change it was working in +him. He would make her see it, make her see that beneath the +harshness his years in the wild had given him, his love for her +was gentle and true and all absorbing. He would bid her be patient +till she saw he had mastered himself, till 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 court-house, the +two men continued to McNamara's office. He met them with courtesy. + +"I heard you had a narrow escape this morning, Mr. Wheaton. Too +bad! 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 the +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--" + +"I won't do it, I said," McNamara repeated, sharply. "Don't think +for a minute that I haven't gone into this fight armed for +everything. Writs of supersedeas! Bah!" He snapped his fingers. + +"We'll see whether you'll obey or not," said Wheaton and when he +and Glenister were outside he continued: + +"Let's get to the Judge quick." + +As they neared the Golden Gate Hotel they spied McNamara entering. +It was evident that he had slipped from the rear door of his +office and beaten them to the judicial ear. + +"I don't like that," said Glenister. "He's up to something." + +So it appeared, for they were fifteen minutes in gaining access to +the magistrate and then found McNamara with him. Both men were +astounded at the change in Stillman's appearance. During the last +month his weak face had shrunk and altered until vacillation was +betrayed in every line, and he had acquired the habit of furtively +watching McNamara's slightest movement. It seemed that the part he +played sat heavily upon him. + +The Judge examined the papers perfunctorily, and, although his air +was deliberate, his fingers made clumsy work of it. At last he +said: + +"I regret that I am forced to doubt the authenticity of these +documents." + +"My Heavens, man!" Wheaton cried. "They're certified copies of +orders from your superior court. They grant the appeal that you +have denied us and take the case out of your hands altogether. +Yes--and they order this man to surrender the mine and everything +connected with it. Now, sir, we want you to enforce these orders." + +Stillman glanced at the silent man in the window and replied: + +"You will, of course, proceed regularly and make application in +court in the proper way, but I tell you now that I won't do +anything in the matter." + +Wheaton stared at him fixedly until the old man 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 right now?" said +Wheaton. "I must think. This is the boldest game I ever played in. +They told me things while I was in '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." + +"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 takes ours, he'll +take the Swedes', too. Simms, you run up to the Pioneer Company +and tell them about it. If he gets that gold out of there, nobody +knows what'll become of it. Come on, Bill." + +He snatched his hat and ran out of the room, followed by the +others. That the loose-jointed Slapjack did his work with +expedition was evidenced by the fact that the Swedes were close +upon their heels as the two entered the bank. Others had followed, +sensing something unusual, and the space within the doors filled +rapidly. At the disturbance the clerks suspended their work, the +barred doors of the safe-deposit vault clanged to, and the cashier +laid hand upon the navy Colt's at his elbow. "What's the matter?" +he cried. + +"We want Alec McNamara," said Glenister. + +The manager of the bank appeared, and Glenister spoke to him +through the heavy wire netting. + +"Is McNamara in there?" + +No one had ever known Morehouse to lie. "Yes, sir." He spoke +hesitatingly, in a voice full of the slow music of Virginia. "He +is in here. What of it?" + +"We hear he's trying to move that dust of ours and we won't stand +for it. Tell him to come out and not hide in there like a dog." + +At these words the politician appeared beside the Southerner, and +the two conversed softly an instant, while the impatience of the +crowd grew to anger. Some one cried: + +"Let's go in and drag him out," and the rumble at this was not +pleasant. Morehouse raised his hand. + +"Gentlemen, Mr. McNamara says he doesn't intend to take any of the +gold away." + +"Then he's taken it already." + +"No, he hasn't." + +The receiver's course had been quickly chosen at the interruption. +It was not wise to anger these men too much. Although he had +planned to get the money into his own possession, he now thought +it best to leave it here for the present. He could come back at +any time when they were off guard and get it. Beyond the door +against which he stood lay three hundred thousand dollars-- +weighed, sacked, sealed, and ready to move out of the custody of +this Virginian whose confidence he had tried so fruitlessly to +gain. + +As McNamara looked into the angry eyes of the lean-faced men +beyond the grating, he felt that the game was growing close, and +his blood tingled at the thought. He had not planned on a +resistance so strong and swift, but he would meet it. He knew that +they hungered for his destruction and that Glenister was their +leader. He saw further that the man's hatred now stared at him +openly for the first time. He knew that back of it was something +more than love for the dull metal over which they wrangled, and +then a thought came to him. + +"Some of your work, eh, Glenister?" he mocked. "Were you afraid to +come alone, or did you wait till you saw me with a lady?" + +At the same instant he opened a door behind him, revealing Helen +Chester. "You'd better not walk out with me, Miss Chester. This +man might--well, you're safer here, you know. You'll pardon me for +leaving you." He hoped he could incite the young man to some rash +act or word in the presence of the girl, and counted on the +conspicuous heroism of his own position, facing the mob single- +handed, one against fifty. + +"Come out," said his enemy, hoarsely, upon whom the insult and the +sight of the girl in the receiver's company had acted powerfully. + +"Of course I'll come out, but I don't want this young lady to +suffer any violence from your friends," said McNamara. "I am not +armed, but I have the right to leave here unmolested--the right of +an American citizen." With that he raised his arms above his head. +"Out of my way!" he cried. Morehouse opened the gate, and McNamara +strode through the mob. + +It is a peculiar thing that although under fury of passion a man +may fire even upon the back of a defenceless foe, yet no one can +offer violence to a man whose arms are raised on high and in whose +glance is the level light of fearlessness. Moreover, it is safer +to face a crowd thus than a single adversary. + +McNamara had seen this psychological trick tried before and now +took advantage of it to walk through the press slowly, eye to eye. +He did it theatrically, for the benefit of the girl, and, as he +foresaw, the men fell away before him--all but Glenister, who +blocked him, gun in hand. It was plain that the persecuted miner +was beside himself with passion. McNamara came within an arm's- +length before pausing. Then he stopped and the two stared +malignantly at each other, while the girl behind the railing heard +her heart pounding in the stillness. Glenister raised his hand +uncertainly, then let it fall. He shook his head, and stepped +aside so that the other brushed past and out into the street. + +Wheaton addressed the banker: + +"Mr. Morehouse, we've got orders and writs of one kind or another +from the Circuit Court of Appeals at 'Frisco directing that this +money be turned over to us." He shoved the papers towards the +other. "We're not in a mood to trifle. That gold belongs to us, +and we want it." + +Morehouse looked carefully at the papers. + +"I can't help you," he said. "These documents are not directed to +me. They're issued to Mr. McNamara and Judge Stillman. If the +Circuit Court of Appeals commands me to deliver it to you I'll do +it, but otherwise I'll have to keep this dust here till it's drawn +out by order of the court that gave it to me. That's the way it +was put in here, and that's the way it'll be taken out." + +"We want it now." + +"Well, I can't let my sympathies influence me" + +"Then we'll take it out, anyway," cried Glenister. "We've had the +worst of it everywhere else and we're sick of it. Come on, men." + +"Stand back!--all of you!" cried Morehouse. "Don't lay a hand on +that gate. Boys, pick your men." + +He called this last to his clerks, at the same instant whipping +from behind the counter a carbine, which he cocked. The assayer +brought into view a shot-gun, while the cashier and clerks armed +themselves. It was evident that the deposits of the Alaska Bank +were abundantly safeguarded. + +"I don't aim to have any trouble with you-all," continued the +Southerner, "but that money stays here till it's drawn out right." + +The crowd paused at this show of resistance, but Glenister railed +at them: + +"Come on--come on! What's the matter with you?" And from the light +in his eye it was evident that he would not be balked. + +Helen felt that a crisis was come, and braced herself. These men +were in deadly earnest: the white-haired banker, his pale helpers, +and those grim, quiet ones outside. There stood brawny, sun- +browned men, with set jaws and frowning faces, and yellow-haired +Scandinavians in whose blue eyes danced the flame of battle. These +had been baffled at every turn, goaded by repeated failure, and +now stood shoulder to shoulder in their resistance to a cruel law. +Suddenly Helen heard a command from the street and the quick tramp +of men, while over the heads before her she saw the glint of rifle +barrels. A file of soldiers with fixed bayonets thrust themselves +roughly through the crowd at the entrance. + +"Clear the room!" commanded the officer. + +"What does this mean?" shouted Wheaton. + +"It means that Judge Stillman has called upon the military to +guard this gold, that's all. Come, now, move quick." The men +hesitated, then sullenly obeyed, for resistance to the blue of +Uncle Sam comes only at the cost of much consideration. + +"They're robbing us with our own soldiers," said Wheaton, when +they were outside. + +"Ay," said Glenister, darkly. "We've tried the law, but they're +forcing us back to first principles. There's going to be murder +here." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +COUNTERPLOTS + + +Glenister had said that the Judge would not dare to disobey the +mandates of the Circuit Court of Appeals, but he was wrong. +Application was made for orders directing the enforcement of the +writs--steps which would have restored possession of the Midas to +its owners, as well as possession of the treasure in bank--but +Stillman refused to grant them. + +Wheaton called a meeting of the Swedes and their attorneys, +advising a junction of forces. Dextry, who had returned from the +mountains, was present. When they had finished their discussion, +he said: + +"It seems like I can always fight better when I know what the +other feller's game is. I'm going to spy on that outfit." + +"We've had detectives at work for weeks," said the lawyer for the +Scandinavians; "but they can't find out anything we don't know +already." + +Dextry said no more, but that night found him busied in the +building adjoining the one wherein McNamara had his office. He had +rented a back room on the top floor, and with the help of his +partner sawed through the ceiling into the loft and found his way +thence to the roof through a hatchway. Fortunately, there was but +little space between the two buildings, and, furthermore, each +boasted the square fronts common in mining-camps, which projected +high enough to prevent observation from across the way. Thus he +was enabled, without discovery, to gain the roof adjoining and to +cut through into the loft. He crept cautiously in through the +opening, and out upon a floor of joists sealed on the lower side, +then lit a candle, and, locating McNamara's office, cut a peep- +hole so that by lying flat on the timbers he could command a +considerable portion of the room beneath. Here, early the +following morning, he camped with the patience of an Indian, +emerging in the still of that night stiff, hungry, and atrociously +cross. Meanwhile, there had been another meeting of the mine- +owners, and it had been decided to send Wheaton, properly armed +with affidavits and transcripts of certain court records, back to +San Francisco on the return trip of the Santa Maria, which had +arrived in port. He was to institute proceedings for contempt of +court, and it was hoped that by extraordinary effort he could gain +quick action. + +At daybreak Dextry returned to his post, and it was midnight +before he crawled from his hiding-place to see the lawyer and +Glenister. + +"They have had a spy on you all day, Wheaton," he began, "and they +know you're going out to the States. You'll be arrested to-morrow +morning before breakfast." + +"Arrested! What for?" + +"I don't just remember what the crime is--bigamy, or mayhem, or +attainder of treason, or something--anyway, they'll get you in +jail and that's all they want. They think you're the only lawyer +that's wise enough to cause trouble and the only one they can't +bribe." + +"Lord! What 'll I do? They'll watch every lighter that leaves the +beach, and if they don't catch me that way, they'll search the +ship." + +"I've thought it all out," said the old man, to whom obstruction +acted as a stimulant. + +"Yes--but how?" + +"Leave it to me. Get your things together and be ready to duck in +two hours." + +"I tell you they'll search the Santa Maria from stem to stern," +protested the lawyer, but Dextry had gone. + +"Better do as he says. His schemes are good ones," recommended +Glenister, and accordingly the lawyer made preparation. + +In the mean time the old prospector had begun at the end of Front +Street to make a systematic search of the gambling-houses. +Although it was very late they were running noisily, and at last +he found the man he wanted playing "Black Jack," the smell of tar +in his clothes, the lilt of the sea in his boisterous laughter. +Dextry drew him aside. + +"Mac, there's only two things about you that's any good--your +silence and your seamanship. Otherwise, you're a disreppitable, +drunken insect." + +The sailor grinned. + +"What is it you want now? If it's concerning money, or business, +or the growed-up side of life, run along and don't disturb the +carousals of a sailorman. If it's a fight, lemme get my hat." + +"I want you to wake up your fireman and have steam on the tug in +an hour, then wait for me below the bridge. You're chartered for +twenty-four hours, and--remember, not a word." + +"I'm on! 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 trip out to +your ship in the dark." + +"What's the matter?" + +Dextry drew him to an isolated corner. "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 corner +an' over the ropes." + +"I'm sorry I can't help you, Dextry, but I got mixed up in one of +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, beginning to lose his +temper. "Well, you listen to me for a minute. Everybody in camp +knows that me an' the kid is on the square an' that we're gettin' +the hunk passed to us. Now, this lawyer party must get away to- +night or these grafters will hitch the horses to him on some phony +charge so he can't get to the upper court. It 'll be him to the +bird-cage for ninety days. He's goin' to the States, though, an' +he's goin'--in--your--wagon! I'm talkin' to you--man to man. If +you don't take him, I'll go to the health inspector--he's a friend +of mine--an' I'll put a crimp in you an' your steamboat, I don't +want to do that--it ain't my reg'lar graft by no means--but this +bet goes through as she lays. I never belched up a secret before. +No, sir; I am the human huntin'-case watch, an' I won't open my +face unless you press me. But if I should, you'll see that it's +time for you to hunt a new job. Now, here's my scheme." He +outlined his directions to the sailor, who had fallen silent +during the warning. When he had done, Stephens said: + +"I never had a man talk to me like that before, sir--never. You've +taken advantage of me, and under the circumstances I can't refuse. +I'll do this thing--not because of your threat, but because I +heard about your trouble over the Midas--and because I can't help +admiring your blamed insolence." He went back into his stall. + +Dextry returned to Wheaton's office. As he neared it, he passed a +lounging figure in an adjacent doorway. + +"The place is watched," he announced as he entered. "Have you got +a back door? Good! Leave your light burning and we'll go out that +way." They slipped quietly into an inky, tortuous 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 +down the current, across the bar, and was swallowed up in the +darkness to seaward. "I'll put out Wheaton's light so they'll +think he's gone to bed." + +"Yes, and at daylight I'll take your place in McNamara'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 light, went to their own cabin and to bed. At +dawn Glenister arose and sought his place above McNamara's office. + +To lie 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 stirred had he +dared, so intense was his interest in the scenes being enacted +beneath him. + +First had come the marshal, who imported his failure to find +Wheaton. + +"He left his room some time last night. My men followed him in and +saw a light in his window until two o'clock this morning. At seven +o'clock we broke in and he was gone." + +"He must have got wind of our plan. Send deputies aboard the Santa +Maria; search her from keel to topmast, and have them watch the +beach close or he'll put off in a small boat. You look over the +passengers that go aboard yourself. 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 understand--there's only one +ship in port, and--he mustn't get away." + +"He won't," said Voorhees, with conviction, and the listener +overhead smiled grimly to himself, for at that moment, twenty +miles offshore, lay Mac's little tug, hove to in the track of the +outgoing steamship, and in her tiny cabin sat Bill Wheaton eating +breakfast. + +As the morning wore by with no news of the lawyer, McNamara's +uneasiness grew. At noon the marshal returned with a report that +the passengers were all aboard and the ship about to clear. + +"By Heavens! He's slipped through you," stormed the politician. + +"No, he hasn't. He may be hidden aboard somewhere among the coal- +bunkers, but I think he's still 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 +and search her again. If we don't bring him off you can bet he's +lying out somewhere in town and we'll get him later. I've +stationed men along the shore for two miles." + +"I won't have him get away. If he should reach 'Frisco--Tell your +men I'll give five hundred dollars to the one that finds him." + +Three hours later Voorhees returned. + +"She sailed without him." + +The politician cursed. "I don't believe it. He tricked you. I know +he did." + +Glenister grinned into a half-eaten sandwich, then turned upon his +back and lay thus on the plank, identifying the speakers below by +their voices. + +He kept his post all day. Later in the evening he heard Struve +enter. The man had been drinking. + +"So he got away, eh?" he began. "I was afraid he would. Smart +fellow, that Wheaton." + +"He didn't get away," said McNamara. "He's in town yet. Just let +me land him in jail on some excuse! I'll hold him till snow +flies." Struve sank into a chair and lit a cigarette with wavering +hand. + +"This's a hell of a game, ain't it, Mac? D'you s'pose we'll win?" + +The man overhead pricked up his ears. + +"Win? Aren't we winning? What do you call this? I only hope we can +lay hands on Wheaton. He knows things. A little knowledge is a +dangerous thing, but more is worse. Lord! If only I had a MAN for +judge in place of Stillman! I don't know why I brought him." + +"That's right. Too weak. He hasn't got the backbone of an +angleworm. He ain't half the man that his niece is. THERE'S a girl +for you! Say! What'd we do without her, eh? She's a pippin!" +Glenister felt a sudden tightening of every muscle. What right had +that man's liquor-sodden lips to speak so of her? + +"She's a brave little woman all right. Just look how she worked +Glenister and his fool partner. It took nerve to bring in those +instructions of yours alone; and if it hadn't been for her we'd +never have won like this. It makes me laugh to think of those two +men stowing 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 I call reciprocating a man's affection." + +Glenister's nails cut into his flesh, while his face went livid at +the words. He could not grasp it at once. It made him sick-- +physically sick--and for many moments he strove blindly to beat +back the hideous suspicion, 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 incapable +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 double-dealing. Now--God! It +couldn't be that all the time she had KNOWN! + +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 girl. 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--" + +"Do you mean that you're in love with her?" asked the man at the +window, without shifting his position. It seemed that utter +indifference was in his question, although where the light shone +on his hands, tight-clinched behind his back, they were bloodless. + +"Love her? Well--that depends--ha! You know how it is--" he +chuckled, coarsely. His face was gross and bestial. "I've got the +Judge where I want him, and I'll have her--" + +His miserable words died with a gurgle, for McNamara had silently +leaped and throttled him where he sat, pinning him to the wall. +Glenister saw the big politician shift his fingers slightly on +Struve's throat and then drop his left hand to his side, holding +his victim writhing and helpless with his right despite the man's +frantic struggles. McNamara's head was thrust forward from his +shoulders, peering into the lawyer's face. Strove tore +ineffectually at the iron arm which was squeezing his life out, +while for endless minutes the other leaned his weight against him, +his idle hand behind his back, his legs braced like stone columns, +as he watched his victim's struggles abate. + +Struve fought and wrenched while his breath caught in his throat +with horrid, sickening sounds, but gradually his eyes rolled +farther and farther back till they stared out of his blackened +visage, straight up towards the ceiling, towards the hole through +which Glenister peered. His struggles lessened, his chin sagged, +and his tongue protruded, then he sat loose and still. The +politician flung him out into the room so that he fell limply upon +his face, then stood watching him. Finally, McNamara passed out of +the watcher's vision, returning with a water-bucket. With his foot +he rolled the unconscious wretch upon his back, then drenched him. +Replacing the pail, he seated himself, lit a cigar, and watched +the return of life into his victim. He made no move, even to drag +him from the pool in which he lay. + +Struve 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 drunkenness was only fear and faintness--abject fear +of the great bulk 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. +He 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 +removing his cigar. + +"Don't ever talk about her again. She is going to marry me." + +When he was alone he looked curiously up at the ceiling 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 Struve. Had a stranger met +them both he would not have known which of the two had 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 its darkness and silence made +him shudder. Not now! He could not bear that stillness and the +company of his thoughts. He dared not be alone. Dextry would be +down-town, undoubtedly, and he, too, must get into the light and +turmoil. He licked his lips and found that they were cracked and +dry. + +At rare intervals during the past years he had staggered in from a +long march where, for hours, he had waged a bitter war with cold +and hunger, his limbs clumsy with fatigue, his garments wet and +stiff, his mind slack and sullen. At such extreme seasons he had +felt a consuming thirst, a thirst which burned and scorched until +his very bones cried out feverishly. Not a thirst for water, nor a +thirst which eaten snow could quench, but a savage yearning of his +whole exhausted system for some stimulant, for some coursing fiery +fluid that would burn and strangle. A thirst for whiskey--for +brandy! Remembering these occasional ferocious desires, he had +become charitable to such unfortunates as were too weak to +withstand similar temptations. + +Now with a shock he caught himself in the grip of a thirst as +insistent as though the cold bore down and the weariness of +endless heavy miles wrapped him about. It was no foolish wish to +drown his thoughts nor to banish the grief that preyed upon him, +but only thirst! Thirst!--a crying, trembling, physical lust to +quench 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. + +As he elbowed in through the crowd at the Northern, those next him +made room at the bar for they recognized the hunger that peers +thus from men's faces. Their manner recalled Glenister to his +senses, and he wrenched himself away. This was not some solitary, +snow-banked road-house. He would not stand and soak himself, +shoulder to shoulder with stevedores and longshoremen. This was +something to be done in secret. He had no pride in it. The man on +his right raised a glass, and the young man strangled a madness to +tear it from his hands. Instead, he hurried back to the theatre +and up to a box, where he drew the curtains. + +"Whiskey!" he said, thickly, to the waiter. "Bring it to me fast. +Don't you hear? Whiskey!" + +Across the theatre Cherry Malotte had seen him enter and jerk the +curtains together. She arose and went to him, entering without +ceremony. + +"What's the matter, boy?" she questioned. + +"Ah! I am glad you came. Talk to me." + +"Thank you for your few well-chosen remarks," she laughed. "Why +don't you ask me to spring some good, original jokes? You look +like the finish to a six-day go-as-you please. What's up?" + +She talked to him for a moment until the waiter entered, then, +when she saw what he bore, she snatched the glass from the tray +and poured the whiskey on the floor. Glenister was on his feet and +had her by the wrist. + +"What do you mean?" he said, roughly. + +"It's whiskey, boy," she cried, "and you don't drink." + +"Of course it's whiskey. Bring me another," he shouted at the +attendant. + +"What's the matter?" Cherry insisted. "I never saw you act so. You +know you don't drink. I won't let you. It's booze--booze, I tell +you, fit for fools and brawlers. Don't drink it, Roy. Are you in +trouble?" + +"I say I'm thirsty--and I will have it! How do you know what it is +to smoulder inside, and feel your veins burn dry?" + +"It's something about that girl," the woman said, with quiet +conviction. "She's double-crossed you." + +"Well, so she has--but what of it? I'm thirsty. She's going to +marry McNamara. I've been a fool." He ground his teeth and reached +for the drink with which the boy had returned. + +"McNamara is a crook, but he's a man, and he never drank a drop in +his life." The girl said it, casually, evenly, but the other +stopped the glass half-way to his lips. + +"Well, what of it? Goon. You're good at W. C. T. U. talk. Virtue +becomes you." + +She flushed, but continued, "It simply occurred to me that if you +aren't strong enough to handle your own throat, you're not strong +enough to beat a man who has mastered his." + +Glenister looked at the whiskey a moment, then set it back on the +tray. + +"Bring two lemonades," he said, and with a laugh which was half a +sob Cherry Malotte leaned forward and kissed him. + +"You're too good a man to drink. Now, tell me all about it." + +"Oh, it's too long! I've just learned that the girl is in, hand +and glove, with the Judge and McNamara--that's all. She's an +advance agent--their lookout. She brought in their instructions to +Struve and persuaded Dex and me to let them jump our claim. She +got us to trust in the law and in her uncle. Yes, she hypnotized +my property out of me and gave it to her lover, this ward +politician. Oh, she's smooth, with all her innocence! Why, when +she smiles she makes you glad and good and warm, and her eyes are +as honest and clear as a mountain pool, but she's wrong--she's +wrong--and--great God! how I love her!" He dropped his face into +his hands. + +When she had pled with him for himself a moment before Cherry +Malotte was genuine and girlish but now as he spoke thus of the +other woman a change came over her which he was too disturbed to +note. She took on the subtleness that masked her as a rule, and +her eyes were not pleasant. + +"I could have told you all that and more." + +"More! What more?" he questioned. + +"Do you remember when I warned you and Dextry that they were +coming to search your cabin for the gold? Well, that girl put them +on to you. I found it out afterwards. She keeps the keys to +McNamara's safety vault where your dust lies, and she's the one +who handles the Judge. It isn't McNamara at all." The woman lied +easily, fluently, and the man believed her. + +"Do you remember when they broke into your safe and took that +money?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, what made them think you had ten thousand in there?" + +"I don't know." + +"I do. Dextry told her." + +Glenister arose. "That's all I want to hear now. I'm going crazy. +My mind aches, for I've never had a fight like this before and it +hurts. You see, I've been an animal all these years. When I wanted +to drink, I drank, and what I wanted, I got, because I've been +strong enough to take it. This is new to me. I'm going down-stairs +now and try to think of something else--then I'm going home." + +When he had gone she pulled back the curtains, and, leaning her +chin in her hands, with elbows on the ledge, gazed down upon the +crowd. The show was over and the dance had begun, but she did not +see it, for she was thinking rapidly with the eagerness of one who +sees the end of a long and weary search. She did not notice the +Bronco Kid beckoning to her nor the man with him, so the gambler +brought his friend along and invaded her box. He introduced the +man as Mr. Champian. + +"Do you feel like dancing?" the new-comer inquired. + +"No; I'd rather look on. I feel sociable. You're a society man, +Mr. Champian. Don't you know anything of interest? Scandal or the +like?" + +"Can't say that I do. My wife attends to all that for the family. +But I know there's lots of it. It's funny to me, the airs some of +these people assume up here, just as though we weren't all equal, +north of Fifty-three. I never heard the like." + +"Anything new and exciting?" inquired Bronco, mildly interested. + +"The last I heard was about the Judge's niece, Miss Chester." + +Cherry Malotte turned abruptly, while the Kid slowly lowered the +front legs of his chair to the floor. + +"What was it?" she inquired. + +"Why, it seems she compromised herself pretty badly with this +fellow Glenister coming up on the steamer last spring. Mighty +brazen, according to my wife. Mrs. Champian was on the same ship +and says she was horribly shocked." + +Ah! Glenister had told her only half the tale, thought the girl. +The truth was baring itself. At that moment Champian thought she +looked the typical creature of the dance-halls, the crafty, +jealous, malevolent adventuress. + +"And the hussy masquerades as a lady," she sneered. + +"She IS a lady," said the Kid. He sat bolt upright and rigid, and +the knuckles of his clinched hands were very white. In the shadow +they did not note that his dark face was ghastly, nor did he say +more except to bid Champian good-bye when he left, later on. After +the door had closed, however, the Kid arose and stretched his +muscles, not languidly, but as though to take out the cramp of +long tension. He wet his lips, and his mouth was so dry that the +sound caused the girl to look up. + +"What are you grinning at?" Then, as the light struck his face, +she started. "My! How you look! What ails you? Are you sick?" No +one, from Dawson down, had seen the Bronco Kid as he looked to- +night. + +"No. I'm not sick," he answered, in a cracked voice. + +Then the girl laughed harshly. + +"Do YOU love that girl, too? Why, she's got every man in town +crazy." + +She wrung her hands, which is a bad sign in a capable person, and +as Glenister crossed the floor below in her sight she said, "Ah-h- +-I could kill him for that!" + +"So could I," said the Kid, and left her without adieu. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN WHICH A MAN IS POSSESSED OF A DEVIL + + +For a long time Cherry Malotte sat quietly thinking, removed by +her mental stress to such an infinite distance from the music and +turmoil beneath that she was conscious of it only as a formless +clamor. She had tipped a chair back against the door, wedging it +beneath the knob so that she might be saved from interruption, +then flung herself into another seat and stared unseeingly. As she +sat thus, and thought, and schemed, harsh and hateful lines seemed +to eat into her face. Now and then she moaned impatiently, as +though fearing lest the strategy she was plotting might prove +futile; then she would rise and pace her narrow quarters. She was +unconscious of time, and had spent perhaps 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 mantle. A man was speaking of Glenister. Excitement +thrilled his voice. + +"I never saw anything like it since McMaster's Night in Virginia +City, thirteen years ago. He's RIGHT." + +"Well, perhaps so," the other replied, doubtfully, "but I don't +care to back you. I never 'staked' a man in my life." + +"Then LEND me the money. I'll pay it back in an hour, but for +Heaven's sake be quick. I tell you he's as right as a golden +guinea. It's the lucky night of his life. Why, he turned over the +Black Jack game in four bets. In fifteen minutes more we can't get +close enough to a table to send in our money with a messenger-boy- +-every sport in camp will be here." + +"I'll stake you to fifty," the second man replied, in a tone that +showed a trace of his companion's excitement. + +So Glenister was gambling, the girl learned, and with such luck as +to break the Black Jack game and excite the greed of every gambler +in camp. News of his winnings had gone out into the street, and +the sporting men were coming to share his fortune, to fatten like +vultures on the adversity of their fellows. Those who had no money +to stake were borrowing, like the man next door. + +She left her retreat, and, descending the stairs, was greeted by a +strange sight. The dance-hall was empty of all but the musicians, +who blew and fiddled lustily in vain endeavor to draw from the +rapidly swelling crowd that thronged the gambling-room and +stretched to the door. The press was thickest about a table midway +down the hall. Cherry could see nothing of what went on there, for +men and women stood ten deep about it and others perched on chairs +and tables along the walls. A roar arose suddenly, followed by +utter silence; then came the clink and rattle of silver. A moment, +and the crowd resumed its laughter and talk. + +"All down, boys," sounded the level voice of the dealer. "The +field or the favorite. He's made eighteen straight passes. Get +your money on the line." There ensued another breathless instant +wherein she heard the thud of dice, then followed the shout of +triumph that told what the spots revealed. The dealer payed off. +Glenister reared himself head and shoulders above the others and +pushed out through the ring to the roulette-wheel. The rest +followed. Behind the circular table they had quitted, the dealer +was putting away his dice, and there was not a coin in his rack. +Mexico Mullins approached Cherry, and she questioned him. + +"He just broke the crap game," Mullins told her; "nineteen passes +without losing the bones." + +"How much did he win?" + +"Oh, he didn't win much himself, but it's the people betting with +him that does the damage! They're gamblers, most of them, and they +play the limit. He took out the Black Jack bank-roll first, +$4,000, then cleaned the 'Tub.' By that time the tin horns began +to come in. It's the greatest run I ever see." + +"Did you get in?" + +"Now, don't you know that I never play anything but 'bank'? If he +lasts long enough to reach the faro lay-out, I'll get mine." + +The excitement of the crowd began to infect the girl, even though +she looked on from the outside. The exultant voices, the sudden +hush, the tensity of nerve it all betokened, set her a-thrill. A +stranger left the throng and rushed to the spot where Cherry and +Mexico stood talking. He was small and sandy, with shifting glance +and chinless jaw. His eyes glittered, his teeth shone rat-like +through his dry lips, and his voice was shrill. He darted towards +them like some furtive, frightened little animal, unnaturally +excited. + +"I guess that isn't so bad for three bets!" He shook a sheaf of +bank-notes at them. + +"Why don't you stick?" inquired Mullins. + +"I am too wise. Ha! I know when to quit. He can't win steady--he +don't play any system." + +"Then he has a good chance," said the girl. + +"There he goes now," the little man cried as the uproar arose. "I +told you he'd lose." At the voice of the multitude he wavered as +though affected by some powerful magnet. + +"But he won again," said Mexico. + +"No! Did he? Lord! I quit too soon!" + +He scampered back into the other room, only to return, hesitating, +his money tightly clutched. + +"Do you s'pose it's safe? I never saw a man bet so reckless. I +guess I'd better quit, eh?" He noted the sneer on the woman's +face, and without waiting a reply dashed off again. They saw him +clamorously fight his way in towards a post at the roulette-table. +"Let me through! I've got money and I want to play it!" + +"Pah!" said Mullins, disgustedly. "He's one of them Vermont +desperadoes that never laid a bet till he was thirty. If Glenister +loses he'll hate him for life." + +"There are plenty of his sort here," the girl remarked; "his soul +would fit in a flea-track." She spied the Bronco Kid sauntering +back towards her and joined him. He leaned against the wall, +watching the gossamer thread of smoke twist upward from his +cigarette, seemingly oblivious to the surroundings, and showing no +hint of the emotion he had displayed two hours before. + +"This is a big killing, isn't it?" said the girl. The gambler +nodded, murmuring indifferently. + +"Why aren't you dealing bank? Isn't this your shift?" + +"I quit last night." + +"Just in time to miss this affair. Lucky for you." + +"Yes; I own the place now. Bought it yesterday." + +"Good Heavens! Then it's YOUR money he's winning." + +"Sure, at the rate of a thousand a minute." + +She glanced at the long trail of devastated tables behind +Glenister and his followers. At that instant the sound told that +the miner had won again, and it dawned upon Cherry that the +gambler beside her stood too quietly, that his hand and voice were +too steady, his glance too cold to be natural. The next moment +approved her instinct. + +The musicians, grown tired of their endeavors to lure back the +dancers, determined to join the excitement, and ceased playing. +The leader laid down his violin, the pianist trailed up the key- +board with a departing twitter and quit his stool. They all +crossed the hall, headed for the crowd, some of them making ready +to bet. As they approached the Bronco Kid, his lips thinned and +slid apart slightly, while out of his heavy-lidded eyes there +flared unreasoning rage. Stepping forward, he seized the foremost +man and spun him about violently. + +"Where are you going?" + +"Why, nobody wants to dance, so we thought we'd go out front for a +bit." + +"Get back, damn you!" It was his first chance to vent the passion +within him. A glance at his maddened features was sufficient for +the musicians, and they did not delay. By the time they had +resumed their duties, however, the curtains of composure had +closed upon the Kid, masking his emotion again; but from her brief +glimpse Cherry Malotte knew that this man was not of ice, as some +supposed. He turned to her and said, "Do you mean what you said +up-stairs?" + +"I don't understand." + +"You said you could kill Glenister." + +"I could." + +"Don't you love--" + +"I HATE him," she interrupted, hoarsely. He gave her a mirthless +smile, and spying the crap-dealer leaving his bankrupt table, +called him over and said: + +"Toby, I want you to 'drive the hearse' when Glenister begins to +play faro. I'll deal. Understand?" + +"Sure! Going to give him a little 'work,' eh?" + +"I never dealt a crooked card in this camp," exclaimed the Kid, +"but I'll 'lay' that man to-night or I'll kill him! I'll use a +'sand-tell,' see! And I want to explain my signals to you. If you +miss the signs you'll queer us both and put the house on the +blink." + +He rapidly rehearsed his signals in a jargon which to a layman +would have been unintelligible, illustrating them by certain +almost imperceptible shiftings of the fingers or changes in the +position of his hand, so slight as to thwart discovery. Through it +all the girl stood by and followed his every word and motion with +eager attention. She needed no explanation of the terms they used. +She knew them all, knew that the "hearse-driver" was the man who +kept the cases, knew all the code of the "inside life." To her it +was all as an open page, and she memorized more quickly than did +Toby the signs by which the Bronco Kid proposed to signal what +card he had smuggled from the box or held back. + +In faro it is customary for the case-keeper to sit on the opposite +side of the table from the dealer, with a device before him +resembling an abacus, or Chinese adding-machine. When a card is +removed from the faro-box by the dealer, the "hearse-driver" moves +a button opposite a corresponding card on his little machine, in +order that the players, at a glance, may tell what spots have been +played or are still in the box. His duties, though simple, are +important, for should he make an error, and should the position of +his counters not tally with the cards in the box on the "last +turn," all bets on the table are declared void. When honestly +dealt, faro is the fairest of all gambling games, but it is +intricate, and may hide much knavery. When the game is crooked, it +is fatal, for out of the ingenuity of generations of card sharks +there have been evolved a multitude of devices with which to +fleece the unsuspecting. These are so carefully masked that none +but the initiated may know them, while the freemasonry of the +craft is strong and discovery unusual. + +Instead of using a familiar arrangement like the "needle-tell," +wherein an invisible needle pricks the dealer's thumb, thus +signalling the presence of certain cards, the Bronco Kid had +determined to use the "sand-tell." In other words, he would employ +a "straight box," but a deck of cards, certain ones of which had +been roughened or sand-papered slightly, so that, by pressing more +heavily on the top or exposed card, the one beneath would stick to +its neighbor above, and thus enable him to deal two with one +motion if the occasion demanded. This roughness would likewise +enable him to detect the hidden presence of a marked card by the +faintest scratching sound when he dealt. In this manipulation it +would be necessary, also, to shave the edges of some of the +pasteboards a trifle, so that, when the deck was forced firmly +against one side of the box, there would be exposed a fraction of +the small figure in the left-hand corner of the concealed cards. +Long practice in the art of jugglery lends such proficiency as to +baffle discovery and rob the game of its uncertainty as surely as +the player is robbed of his money. It is, of course, vital that +the confederate case-keeper be able to interpret the dealer's +signs perfectly in order to move the sliding ebony disks to +correspond, else trouble will accrue at the completion of the hand +when the cases come out wrong. + +Having completed his instructions, the proprietor went forward, +and Cherry wormed her way towards the roulette-wheel. She wished +to watch Glenister, but could not get near him because of the +crowd. The men would not make room for her. Every eye was glued +upon the table as though salvation lurked in its rows of red and +black. They were packed behind it until the croupier had barely +room to spin the ball, and although he forced them back, they +pressed forward again inch by inch, drawn by the song of the +ivory, drunk with its worship, maddened by the breath of Chance. + +Cherry gathered that Glenister was still winning, for a glimpse of +the wheel-rack between the shoulders of those ahead showed that +the checks were nearly out of it. + +Plainly it was but a question of minutes, so she backed out and +took her station beside the faro-table where the Bronco Kid was +dealing. His face wore its colorless mask of indifference; his +long white hands moved slowly with the certainty that betokened +absolute mastery of his art. He was waiting. The ex-crap dealer +was keeping cases. + +The group left the roulette-table in a few moments and surrounded +her, Glenister among the others. He was not the man she knew. In +place of the dreary hopelessness with which he had left her, his +face was flushed and reckless, his collar was open, showing the +base of his great, corded neck, while the lust of the game had +coarsened him till he was again the violent, untamed, primitive +man of the frontier. His self-restraint and dignity were gone. He +had tried the new ways, and they were not for him. He slipped +back, and the past swallowed him. + +After leaving Cherry he had sought some mental relief by idly +risking the silver in his pocket. He had let the coins lie and +double, then double again and again. He had been indifferent +whether he won or lost, so assumed a reckless disregard for the +laws of probability, thinking that he would shortly lose the money +he had won and then go home. He did not want it. When his luck +remained the same, he raised the stakes, but it did not change--he +could not lose. Before he realized it, other men were betting with +him, animated purely by greed and craze of the sport. First one, +then another joined till game after game was closed, and each +moment the crowd had grown in size and enthusiasm so that its +fever crept into him, imperceptibly at first, but ever increasing, +till the mania mastered him. + +He paid no attention to Cherry as he took his seat. He had eyes +for nothing but the "lay-out." She clenched her hands and prayed +for his ruin. + +"What's your limit, Kid?" he inquired. + +"One hundred, and two," the Kid answered, which in the vernacular +means that any sum up to $200 be laid on one card save only on the +last turn, when the amount is lessened by half. + +Without more ado they commenced. The Kid handled his cards +smoothly, surely, paying and taking bets with machine-like calm. +The on-lookers ceased talking and prepared to watch, for now came +the crucial test of the evening. Faro is to other games as war is +to jackstraws. + +For a time Glenister won steadily till there came a moment when +many stacks of chips lay on the deuce. Cherry saw the Kid "flash" +to the case-keeper, and the next moment he had "pulled two." The +deuce lost. It was his first substantial gain, and the players +paid no attention. At the end of half an hour the winnings were +slightly in favor of the "house." Then Glenister said, "This is +too slow. I want action." + +"All right," smiled the proprietor. "We'll double the limit." + +Thus it became possible to wager $400 on a card, and the Kid began +really to play. Glenister now lost steadily, not in large amounts, +but with tantalizing regularity. Cherry had never seen cards +played like this. The gambler was a revelation to her--his work +was wonderful. Ill luck seemed to fan the crowd's eagerness, +while, to add to its impatience, the cases came wrong twice in +succession, so that those who would have bet heavily upon the last +turn had their money given back. Cherry saw the confusion of the +"hearse-driver" even quicker than did Bronco. Toby was growing +rattled. The dealer's work was too fast for him, and yet he could +offer no signal of distress for fear of annihilation at the hands +of those crowded close to his shoulder. In the same way the owner +of the game could make no objection to his helper's incompetence +for fear that some by-stander would volunteer to fill the man's +part--there were many present capable of the trick. He could only +glare balefully across the table at his unfortunate confederate. + +They had not gone far on the next game before Cherry's quick eye +detected a sign which the man misinterpreted. She addressed him, +quietly, "You'd better brush up your plumes." + +In spite of his anger the Bronco Kid smiled. Humor in him was +strangely withered and distorted, yet here was a thrust he would +always remember and recount with glee in years to come. He feared +there were other faro-dealers present who might understand the +hint, but there was none save Mexico Mullins, whose face was a +study--mirth seemed to be strangling him. A moment later the girl +spoke to the case-keeper again. + +"Let me take your place; your reins are unbuckled." + +Toby glanced inquiringly at the Kid, who caught Cherry's +reassuring look and nodded, so he arose and the girl slid into the +vacant chair. This woman would make no errors--the dealer knew +that; her keen wits were sharpened by hate--it showed in her face. +If Glenister escaped destruction to-night it would be because +human means could not accomplish his downfall. + +In the mind of the new case-keeper there was but one thought--Roy +must be broken. Humiliation, disgrace, ruin, ridicule were to be +his. If he should be downed, discredited, and discouraged, then, +perhaps, he would turn to her as he had in the by-gone days. He +was slipping away from her--this was her last chance. She began +her duties easily, and her alertness stimulated Bronco till his +senses, too, grew sharper, his observation more acute and +lightning-like. Glenister swore beneath his breath that the cards +were bewitched. He was like a drunken man, now as truly +intoxicated as though the fumes of wine had befogged his brain. He +swayed in his seat, the veins of his neck thickened 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 and acquiesced. +"All right, the limit is the blue sky. Pile your checks to the +roof-pole." He began to shuffle. + +Within the crowded circle the air was hot and fetid with the +breath of men. The sweat trickled down Glenister's brown skin, +dripping from his jaw unnoticed. He arose and ripped off his coat, +while those standing behind shifted and scuffed their feet +impatiently. Besides Roy, there were but three men playing. They +were the ones who had won heaviest at first. Now that luck was +against them they were loath 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 lips twitching. He had lost back, long since, +the hundreds 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, she thought, else this task might fail. She would help +to blast Glenister, desolate him, humiliate him. Ah, but wouldn't +she! + +Roy bet $100 on the "popular" card. On the third turn he lost. He +bet $200 next and lost. He set out a stack of $400 and lost for +the third time. Fortune had turned her face. He ground his teeth +and doubled until the stakes grew enormous, while the dealer dealt +monotonously. The spots flashed and disappeared, 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 would stay until he won. He would win. This +luck would not, could not, last--and yet with diabolic persistence +he continued to choose the losing cards. The other men fared +better till be yielded to their judgment, 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 straight 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 ruin. When at long intervals he won +a bet she shrank and shivered for fear he might escape. If only he +would risk it all--everything he had. He would have to come to her +then! + +The end was closer than she realized. The throng hung breathless +upon each move of the players, while there was no sound but the +noise of shifting chips and the distant jangle of the orchestra. +The lookout sat far forward upon his perch, his hands upon his +knees, his eyes frozen to the board, a dead cigar clenched between +his teeth. Crowded upon his platform were miners tense and +motionless as statues. When a man spoke or coughed, a score of +eyes stared at him accusingly, then dropped to the table again. + +Glenister took from his clothes a bundle of bank-notes, so thick +that it required his two hands to compass it. On-lookers saw that +the bills were mainly yellow. No one spoke while he counted them +rapidly, glanced at the dealer, who nodded, then slid them forward +till they rested on the king. He placed a "copper" on the pile. A +great sigh of indrawn breaths swept through the crowd. The North +had never known a bet like this--it meant a fortune. Here was a +tale for one's grandchildren--that a man should win opulence in an +evening, then lose it in one deal. This final bet represented more +than many of them had ever seen a one time before. Its fate lay on +a single card. + +Cherry Malotte's fingers were like ice and shook till the buttons +of her case-keeper rattled, her heart raced till she could not +breathe, while something rose up and choked her. If Glenister won +this bet he would quit; she felt it. If he lost, ah! what could +the Kid there feel, the man who was playing for a paltry +vengeance, compared to her whose hope of happiness, of love, of +life hinged on this wager? + +Evidently the Bronco Kid knew what card lay next below, for he +offered her no sign, and as Glenister leaned back he slowly and +firmly pushed the top card out of the box. Although this was the +biggest turn of his life, he betrayed no tremor. His gesture +displayed the nine of diamonds, and the crowd breathed heavily. +The king had not won. Would it lose? Every gaze was welded to the +tiny nickelled box. If the face-card lay next beneath the nine- +spot, the heaviest wager in Alaska would have been lost; if it +still remained hidden on the next turn, the money would be safe +for a moment. + +Slowly the white hand of the dealer moved back; his middle finger +touched the nine of diamonds; it slid smoothly out of the box, and +there in its place frowned the king of clubs. At last the silence +was broken. + +Men spoke, some laughed, but in their laughter was no mirth. It +was more like the sound of choking. They stamped their feet to +relieve the grip of strained muscles. The dealer reached forth and +slid the stack of bills into the drawer at his waist without +counting. The case-keeper passed a shaking hand over her face, and +when it came away she saw blood on her fingers where she had sunk +her teeth into her lower lip. Glenister did not rise. He sat, +heavy-browed and sullen, his jaw thrust forward, his hair low upon +his forehead, his eyes bloodshot and dead. + +"I'll sit the hand out if you'll let me bet the 'finger,'" said +he. + +"Certainly," replied the dealer. + +When a man requests this privilege it means that he will call the +amount of his wager without producing the visible stakes, and the +dealer may accept or refuse according to his judgment of the +bettor's responsibility. It is safe, for no man shirks a gambling +debt in the North, and thousands may go with a nod of the head +though never a cent be on the board. + +There were still a few cards in the box, and the dealer turned +them, paying the three men who played. Glenister took no part, but +sat bulked over his end of the table glowering from beneath his +shock of hair. + +Cherry was deathly tired. The strain of the last hour had been so +intense that she could barely sit in her seat, yet she was +determined to finish the hand. As Bronco paused before the last +turn, many of the by-standers made bets. They were the "case- +players" who risked money only on the final pair, thus avoiding +the chance of two cards of like denomination coming together, in +which event ("splits" it is called) the dealer takes half the +money. The stakes were laid at last and the deal about to start +when Glenister spoke. "Wait! What's this place worth, Bronco?" + +"What do you mean?" + +"You own this outfit?" He waved his hand about the room. "Well, +what does it stand you?" + +The gambler hesitated an instant while the crowd pricked up its +ears, and the girl turned wondering, troubled eyes upon the miner. +What would he do now? + +"Counting bank rolls, fixtures, and all, about a hundred and +twenty thousand dollars. Why?" + +"I'll pick the ace to lose, my one-half interest in the Midas +against your whole damned lay-out!" + +There was an absolute hush while the realization of this offer +smote the on-lookers. It took time to realize it. This man was +insane. There were three cards to choose from--one would win, one +would lose, and one would have no action. + +Of all those present only Cherry Malotte divined even vaguely the +real reason which prompted the man to do this. It was not +"gameness," nor altogether a brutish stubbornness which would not +let him quit, It was something 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 Midas with +its lawsuits, its intrigues, and 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 more. + +When he put his proposition, the Bronco Kid dropped his eyes as +though debating. The girl saw that he studied the cards in his box +intently and that his fingers 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 Glenister was a pauper. + +"Come on," insisted 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 hand +to his chin, 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. Here lay half of +it, hidden beneath a tawdry square of pasteboard. With maddening +deliberation the Kid dealt the top card. Beneath it was the trey +of spades. Glenister said no word nor made a move. Some one +coughed, and it sounded like a gunshot. Slowly the dealer's +fingers retraced their way. He hesitated purposely and leered at +the girl, then the three-spot disappeared and beneath it lay the +ace as the king had lain on that other wager. It spelled utter +ruin to Glenister. He raised his eyes blindly, and then the +deathlike silence of the room was shattered by a sudden crash. +Cherry Malotte had closed her check-rack violently, at the same +instant crying shrill and clear: "That bet is off! The cases are +wrong!" + +Glenister half rose, overturning his chair; the Kid lunged forward +across the table, and his wonderful hands, tense and talon-like, +thrust themselves forward as though reaching for the riches she +had snatched away. They worked and writhed and trembled as though +in dumb fury, the nails sinking into the oil-cloth table-cover. +His face grew livid and cruel, while his eyes blazed at her till +she shrank from him affrightedly, bracing herself away from the +table with rigid arms. + +Reason came slowly back to Glenister, and understanding with it. +He seemed to awake from a nightmare. He could read all too plainly +the gambler's look of baffled hate as the man sprawled on the +table, his arms spread wide, his eyes glaring at the cowering +woman, who shrank before him like a rabbit before a snake. She +tried to speak, but choked. Then the dealer came to himself, and +cried harshly through his teeth one word: + +"Christ!" + +He raised his fist and struck the table so violently that chips +and coppers leaped and rolled, and Cherry closed her eyes to lose +sight of his awful grimace. Glenister looked down on him and said: + +"I think I understand; but the money was yours, anyhow, so I don't +mind." His meaning was plain. The Kid suddenly jerked open the +drawer before him, but Glenister clenched his right hand and +leaned forward. The miner could have killed him with a blow, for +the gambler was seated and at his mercy. The 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. + +"You have taught me a lesson," was all that Glenister said, and +with that he pushed through the crowd and out into the cool night +air. Overhead the arctic stars winked at him, and the sea smells +struck him, clean and fresh. As he went homeward he heard the +distant, full-throated plaint of a wolf-dog. It held the mystery +and sadness of the North. He paused, arid, baring his thick, +matted head, stood for a long time gathering himself together. +Standing so, he made certain covenants with himself, and vowed +solemnly never to touch another card. + +At the same moment Cherry Malotte came hurrying to her cottage +door, fleeing as though from pursuit or from some hateful, haunted +spot. She paused before entering and flung her arms outward into +the dark in a wide gesture of despair. + +"Why did I do it? Oh! WHY did I do it? I can't understand myself." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A MIDNIGHT MESSENGER + + +"My dear Helen, don't you realize that my official position +carries with it a certain social obligation which it is our duty +to discharge?" + +"I suppose so, Uncle Arthur; but I would much rather stay at +home." + +"Tut, tut! Go and have a good time." + +"Dancing doesn't appeal to me any more. I left that sort of thing +back home. Now, if you would only come along--" + +"No--I'm too busy. I must work to-night, and I'm not in a mood for +such things, anyhow." + +"You're not well," his niece said. "I have noticed it for weeks. +Is it hard work or are you truly ill? You're nervous; you don't +eat; you're growing positively gaunt. Why--you're getting wrinkles +like an old man." She rose from her seat at the breakfast-table +and went to him, smoothing his silvered head with affection. + +He took her cool hand and pressed it to his cheek, while the worry +that haunted him habitually of late gave way to a smile. + +"It's work, little girl--hard and thankless work, that's all. This +country is intended for young men, and I'm too far along." His +eyes grew grave again, and he squeezed her fingers nervously as +though at the thought. "It's a terrible country--this--I--I--wish +we had never seen it." + +"Don't say that," Helen cried, spiritedly. "Why, it's glorious. +Think of the honor. You're a United States judge and the first one +to come here. You're making history--you're building a State-- +people will read about you." She stooped and kissed him; but he +seemed to flinch beneath her caress. + +"Of course I'll go if you think I'd better," she said, "though I'm +not fond of Alaskan society. Some of the women are nice, but the +others--" She shrugged her dainty shoulders. "They talk scandal +all the time. One would think that a great, clean, fresh, vigorous +country like this would broaden the women as it broadens the men-- +but it doesn't." + +"I'll tell McNamara to call for you at nine o'clock," said the +Judge as he arose. So, later in the day she prepared her long +unused finery to such good purpose that when her escort called for +her that evening he believed her the loveliest of women. + +Upon their arrival at the hotel he regarded her with a fresh +access of pride, for the function proved to bear little +resemblance to a mining-camp party. The women wore handsome gowns, +and every man was in evening dress. The wide hall ran the length +of the hotel and was flanked with boxes, while its floor was like +polished glass and its walls effectively decorated. + +"Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed Helen as she first caught sight of it. +"It's just like home." + +"I've seen quick-rising cities before," he said, "but nothing like +this. Still, if these Northerners can build a railroad in a month +and a city in a summer, why shouldn't they have symphony +orchestras and Louis Quinze ballrooms?" + +"I know you're a splendid dancer," she said. + +"You shall be my judge and jury. I'll sign this card as often as I +dare without the certainty of violence at the hands of these young +men, and the rest of the time I'll smoke in the lobby. I don't +care to dance with any one but you." + +After the first waltz he left her surrounded by partners and made +his way out of the ballroom. This was his first relaxation since +landing in the North. It was well not to become a dull boy, he +mused, and as he chewed his cigar he pictured with an odd thrill, +quite unusual with him, that slender, gray-eyed girl, with her +coiled mass of hair, her ivory shoulders, and merry smile. He saw +her float past to the measure of a two-step, and caught himself +resenting the thought of another man's enjoyment of the girl's +charms even for an instant. + +"Hold on, Alec," he muttered. "You're too old a bird to lose your +head." However, he was waiting for her 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 yourself?" + +"Oh, yes!" she returned, brightly. "I'm having a delightful time." + +When he came for his third dance, she was more distraite than +ever. As he led her to a seat they passed a group of women, among +whom were Mrs. Champian and others 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 was astonished when they returned +his greeting but ignored Helen. She shrank slightly, and he +realized that there was something wrong; he could not guess what. +Affairs of men he could cope with, but the subtleties of women +were out of his realm. + +"What ails those people? Have they offended you?" + +"I don't know what it is. I have spoken to them, but they cut me." + +"Cut YOU?" he exclaimed. + +"Yes." Her voice trembled, but she held her head high. "It seems +as though all the women in Nome were here and in league to ignore +me. It dazes me--I do not understand." + +"Has anybody said anything to you?" he inquired, fiercely. "Any +man, I mean?" + +"No, no! The men are kind. It's the women." + +"Come--we'll go home." + +"Indeed, we will not," she said, proudly. "I shall stay and face +it out. I have done nothing to run away from, and I intend to find +out what is the matter." + +When he had surrendered her, at the beginning of the next dance, +McNamara sought for some acquaintance whom he might question. Most +of the men in Nome either hated or feared him, but he espied one +that he thought suited his purpose, and led him into a corner. + +"I want you to answer a question. No beating about the bush. +Understand? I'm blunt, and I want you to be." + +"All right." + +"Your wife has been entertained at Miss Chester's house. I've seen +her there. To-night she refuses to speak to the girl. She cut her +dead, and I want to know what it's about." + +"How should I know?" + +"If you don't know, I'll ask you to find out." + +The other shook his head amusedly, at which McNamara flared up. + +"I say you will, and you'll make your wife apologize before she +leaves this hall, too, or you'll answer to me, man to man. I won't +stand to have a girl like Miss Chester cold-decked by a bunch of +mining-camp swells, and that goes as it lies." In his excitement, +McNamara reverted to his Western idiom. + +The other did not reply at once, for it is embarrassing to deal +with a person who disregards the conventions utterly, and at the +same time has the inclination and force to compel obedience. The +boss's reputation had gone abroad. + +"Well--er--I know about it in a general way, but of course I don't +go much on such things. You'd better let it drop." + +"Go on." + +"There has been a lot of talk among the ladies about--well, er-- +the fact is, it's that young Glenister. Mrs. Champian had the next +state-room to them--er--him--I should say--on the way up from the +States, and she saw things. Now, as far as I'm concerned, a girl +can do what she pleases, but Mrs. Champian has her own ideas of +propriety. From what my wife could learn, there's some truth in +the story, too, so you can't blame her." + +With a word McNamara could have explained the gossip and made this +man put his wife right, forcing through her an elucidation of the +silly affair in such a way as to spare Helen's feelings and cover +the busy-tongued magpies with confusion. Yet he hesitated. It is a +wise skipper who trims his sails to every breeze. He thanked his +informant and left him. Entering the lobby, he saw the girl +hurrying towards him. + +"Take me away, quick! I want to go home." + +"You've changed your mind?"' + +"Yes, let us go," she panted, and when they were outside she +walked so rapidly that he had difficulty in keeping pace with her. +She was silent, and he knew better than to question, but when they +arrived at her house he entered, took off his overcoat, and turned +up the light in the tiny parlor. She flung her wraps over a chair, +storming back and forth like a little fury. Her eyes were starry +with tears of anger, her face was flushed, her hands worked +nervously. He leaned against the mantel, watching her through his +cigar smoke. + +"You needn't tell me," he said, at length. "I know all about it." + +"I am glad you do. I never could repeat what they said. Oh, it was +brutal!" Her voice caught and she bit her lip. "What made me ask +them? Why didn't I keep still? After you left, I went to those +women and faced them. Oh, but they were brutal? Yet, why should I +care?" She stamped her slippered foot. + +"I shall have to kill that man some day," he said, flecking his +cigar ashes into the grate. + +"What man?" She stood still and looked at him. + +"Glenister, of course. If I had thought the story would ever reach +you, I'd have shut him up long ago." + +"It didn't come from him," she cried, hot with indignation. "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, curiously. + +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 important 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 unpleasant, +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-born 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 +his playthings, and they knew it. She was not sure that she loved +him, but his magnetism was overpowering, 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 door. McNamara scowled, walked into the +hall, and flung the portal open, disclosing Struve. + +"Hello, McNamara! Been looking all over for you. There's the deuce +to pay!" Helen sighed with relief and gathered up her cloak, while +the hum of their voices reached her indistinctly. She was given +plenty of time to regain her composure before they appeared. When +they did, the politician spoke, sourly: + +"I've been called to the mines, and I must go at once." + +"You bet! It may be too late now. The news came an hour ago, but I +couldn't find you," said Struve. "Your horse is saddled at the +office. Better not wait to change your clothes." + +"You say Voorhees has gone with twenty deputies, eh? That's good. +You stay here and find out all you can." + +"I telephoned out to the Creek for the boys to arm themselves and +throw out pickets. If you hurry you can get there in time. It's +only midnight now." + +"What is the trouble?" Miss Chester inquired, anxiously. + +"There's a plot on to attack the mines to-night," answered the +lawyer. "The other side are trying to seize them, and there's apt +to be a fight." + +"You mustn't go out there," she cried, aghast. "There will be +bloodshed." + +"That's just why I MUST go," said McNamara. "I'll come back in the +morning, though, and I'd like to see you alone. Good-night!" There +was a strange, new light in his eyes as he left her. For one +unversed in woman's ways he played the game surprisingly well, and +as he hurried towards his office he smiled grimly into the +darkness. + +"She'll answer me to-morrow. Thank you, Mr. Glenister," he said to +himself. + +Helen questioned Struve at length, but gained nothing more than +that secret-service men had been at work for weeks and had to-day +unearthed the fact that Vigilantes had been formed. They had heard +enough to make them think the mines would be jumped again to- +night, and so had given the alarm. + +"Have you hired spies?" she asked, incredulously. + +"Sure. We had to. The other people shadowed us, and it's come to a +point where it's life or death to one side or the other. I told +McNamara we'd have bloodshed before we were through, when he first +outlined the scheme--I mean when the trouble began." + +She wrung her hands. "That's what uncle feared before we left +Seattle. That's why I took the risks I did in bringing you those +papers. I thought you got them in time to avoid all this." + +Struve laughed a bit, eying her curiously. + +"Does Uncle Arthur know about this?" she continued. + +"No, we don't let him know anything more than necessary; he's not +a strong man." + +"Yes, yes. He's not well." Again the lawyer smiled. "Who is behind +this Vigilante movement?" + +"We think it is Glenister and his New Mexican bandit partner. At +least they got the crowd together." She was silent for a time. + +"I suppose they really think they own those mines." + +"Undoubtedly." + +"But they don't, do they?" Somehow this question had recurred to +her insistently of late, for things were constantly happening +which showed there was more back of this great, fierce struggle +than she knew. It was impossible that injustice had been done the +mine-owners, and yet scattered talk reached her which was +puzzling. When she strove to follow it up, her acquaintances +adroitly changed the subject. She was baffled on every side. The +three local newspapers upheld the court. She read them carefully, +and was more at sea than ever. There was a disturbing undercurrent +of alarm and unrest that caused her to feel insecure, as though +standing on hollow ground. + +"Yes, this whole disturbance is caused by those two. Only for them +we'd be all right." + +"Who is Miss Malotte?" + +He answered, promptly: "The handsomest woman in the North, and the +most dangerous." + +"In what way? Who is she?" + +"It's hard to say who or what she is--she's different from other +women. She came to Dawson in the early days--just came--we didn't +know how, whence, or why, and we never found out. We woke up one +morning and there she was. By night we were all jealous, and in a +week we were most of us drivelling idiots. It might have been the +mystery or, perhaps, the competition. That was the day when a +dance-hall girl could make a homestake in a winter or marry a +millionaire in a month, but she never bothered. She toiled not, +neither did she spin on the waxed floors, yet Solomon in all his +glory would have looked like a tramp beside her." + +"You say she is dangerous?" + +"Well, there was the young nobleman, in the winter of '98, Dane, I +think--fine family and all that--big, yellow-haired boy. He wanted +to marry her, but a faro-dealer shot him. Then there was Rock, of +the mounted police, the finest officer in the service. He was +cashiered. She knew he was going to pot for her, but she didn't +seem to care--and there were others. Yet, with it all, she is the +most generous person and the most tender-hearted. Why, she has fed +every 'stew bum' on the Yukon, and there isn't a busted prospector +in the country who wouldn't swear by her, for she has grubstaked +dozens of them. I was horribly in love with her myself. Yes, she's +dangerous, all right--to everybody but Glenister." + +"What do you mean?" + +"She had been across the Yukon to nurse a man with scurvy, and +coming back she was caught in the spring break-up. I wasn't there, +but it seems this Glenister got her ashore somehow when nobody +else would tackle the job. They were carried five miles down- +stream in the ice-pack before he succeeded." + +"What happened then?" + +"She fell in love with him, of course." + +"And he worshipped her as madly as all the rest of you, I +suppose," she said, scornfully. + +"That's the peculiar part. She hypnotized him at first, but he ran +away, and I didn't hear of him again till I came to Nome. She +followed him, finally, and last week evened up her score. She paid +him back for saving her." + +"I haven't heard about it." + +He detailed the story of the gambling episode at the Northern +saloon, and concluded: "I'd like to have seen that 'turn,' for +they say the excitement was terrific. She was keeping cases, and +at the finish slammed her case-keeper shut and declared the bet +off because she had made a mistake. Of course they couldn't +dispute her, and she stuck to it. One of the by-standers told me +she lied, though." + +"So, in addition to his other vices, Mr. Glenister is a reckless +gambler, is he?" said Helen, with heat. "I am proud to be indebted +to such a character. Truly this country breeds wonderful species." + +"There's where you're wrong," Struve chuckled. "He's never been +known to bet before." + +"Oh, I'm tired of these contradictions!" she cried, angrily. +"Saloons, gambling-halls, scandals, adventuresses! Ugh! I hate it! +I HATE it! Why did I ever come here?" + +"Those things are a part of every new country. They were about all +we had till this year. But it is women like you that we fellows +need, Miss Helen. You can help us a lot." She did not like the way +he was looking at her, and remembered that her uncle was up-stairs +and asleep. + +"I must ask you to excuse me now, for it's late and I am very +tired." + +The clock showed half-past twelve, so, after letting him out, she +extinguished the light and dragged herself wearily up to her room. +She removed her outer garments and threw over her bare shoulders a +negligee of many flounces and bewildering, clinging looseness. As +she took down her heavy braids, the story of Cherry Malotte +returned to her tormentingly. So Glenister had saved HER life also +at risk of his own. What a very gallant cavalier he was, to be +sure! He should bear a coat of arms--a dragon, an armed knight, +and a fainting maiden. "I succor ladies in distress--handsome +ones," should be the motto on his shield. "The handsomest woman in +the North," Struve had said. She raised her eyes to the glass and +made a mouth at the petulant, tired reflection there. She pictured +Glenister leaping from floe to floe with the hungry river surging +and snapping at his feet, while the cheers of the crowd on shore +gave heart to the girl crouching out there. She could see him +snatch her up and fight his way back to safety over the plunging +ice-cakes with death dragging at his heels. What a strong embrace +he had! At this she blushed and realized with a shock that while +she was mooning that very man might be fighting hand to hand in +the darkness of a mountain-gorge with the man she was going to +marry. + +A moment later some one mounted the front steps below and knocked +sharply. Truly this was a night of alarms. Would people never +cease coming? She was worn out, but at the thought of the tragedy +abroad and the sick old man sleeping near by, she lit a candle and +slipped down-stairs to avoid disturbing him. Doubtless it was some +message from McNamara, she thought, as she unchained the door. + +As she opened it, she fell back amazed while it swung wide and the +candle flame flickered and sputtered in the night air. Roy +Glenister stood there, grim and determined, his soft, white +Stetson pulled low, his trousers tucked into tan half-boots, in +his hand a Winchester rifle. Beneath his corduroy coat she saw a +loose cartridge-belt, yellow with shells, and the nickelled flash +of a revolver. Without invitation he strode across the threshold, +closing the door behind him. + +"Miss Chester, you and the Judge must dress quickly and come with +me." + +"I don't understand." + +"The Vigilantes are on their way here to hang him. Come with me to +my house where I can protect you." + +She laid a trembling hand on her bosom and the color died out of +her face, then at a slight noise above they both looked up to see +Judge Stillman leaning far over the banister. He had wrapped +himself in a dressing-gown and now gripped the rail convulsively, +while his features were blanched to the color of putty and his +eyes were wide with terror, though puffed and swollen from sleep. +His lips moved in a vain endeavor to speak. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +VIGILANTES + + +On the morning after the episode in the Northern, Glenister awoke +under a weight of discouragement and desolation. The past twenty- +four hours with their manifold experiences seemed distant and +unreal. At breakfast he was ashamed to tell Dextry of the gambling +debauch, for he had dealt treacherously with the old man in +risking half of the mine, even though they had agreed that either +might do as he chose with his interest, regardless of the other. +It all seemed like a nightmare, those tense moments when he lay +above the receiver's office and felt his belief in the one woman +slipping away, the frenzied thirst which Cherry Malotte had +checked, the senseless, unreasoning lust for play that possessed +him later. This lapse was the last stand of his old, untamed +instincts. The embers of revolt in him were dead. He felt that he +would never again lose mastery of himself, that his passions would +never best him hereafter. + +Dextry spoke. "We had a meeting of the 'Stranglers' last night." +He always spoke of the Vigilantes in that way, because of his +early Western training. + +"What was done?" + +"They decided to act quick and do any odd jobs of lynchin', claim- +jumpin', or such as needs doin'. There's a lot of law sharps and +storekeepers in the bunch who figure McNamara's gang will wipe +them off the map next." + +"It was bound to come to this." + +"They talked of ejectin' the receiver's men and puttin' all us +fellers back on our mines." + +"Good. How many can we count on to help us?" + +"About sixty. We've kept the number down, and only taken men with +so much property that they'll have to keep their mouths shut." + +"I wish we might engineer some kind of an encounter with the court +crowd and create such an uproar that it would reach Washington. +Everything else has failed, and our last chance seems to be for +the government to step in; that is, unless Bill Wheaton can do +something with the California courts." + +"I don't count on him. McNamara don't care for California courts +no more 'n he would for a boy with a pea-shooter--he's got too +much pull at headquarters. If the 'Stranglers' don't do no good, +we'd better go in an' clean out the bunch like we was killin' +snakes. If that fails, I'm goin' out to the States an' be a +doctor." + +"A doctor? What for?" + +"I read somewhere that in the United States every year there is +forty million gallons of whiskey used for medical purposes." + +Glenister laughed. "Speaking of whiskey, Dex--I notice that you've +been drinking pretty hard of late--that is, hard for you." + +The old man shook his head. "You're mistaken. It ain't hard for +me." + +"Well, hard or easy, you'd better cut it out." + +It was some time later that one of the detectives employed by the +Swedes met Glenister on Front Street, and by an almost +imperceptible sign signified his desire to speak with him. When +they were alone he said: + +"You're being shadowed." + +"I've known that for a long time." + +"The district-attorney has put on some new men. I've fixed the +woman who rooms next to him, and through her I've got a line on +some of them, but I haven't spotted them all. They're bad ones-- +'up-river' men mostly--remnants of Soapy Smith's Skagway gang. +They won't stop at anything." + +"Thank you--I'll keep my eyes open." + +A few nights after, Glenister had reason to recall the words of +the sleuth and to realize that the game was growing close and +desperate. To reach his cabin, which sat on the outskirts of the +town, he ordinarily followed one of the plank walks which wound +through the confusion of tents, warehouses, and cottages lying +back of the two principal streets along the water front. This part +of the city was not laid out in rectangular blocks, for in the +early rush the first-comers had seized whatever pieces of ground +they found vacant and erected thereon some kind of buildings to +make good their titles. There resulted a formless jumble of huts, +cabins, and sheds, penetrated by no cross streets and quite +unlighted. At night, one leaving the illuminated portion of the +town found this darkness intensified. + +Glenister knew his course so well that he could have walked it +blindfolded. Nearing a corner of the warehouse this evening he +remembered that the planking at this point was torn up, so, to +avoid the mud, he leaped lightly across. Simultaneously with his +jump he detected a movement in the shadows that banked the wall at +his elbow and saw the flaming spurt of a revolver-shot. The man +had crouched behind the building and was so close that it seemed +impossible to miss. Glenister fell heavily upon his side and the +thought flashed over him, "McNamara's thugs have shot me." + +His assailant leaped out from his hiding-place and ran down the +walk, the sound of his quick, soft footfalls thudding faintly out +into the silence. The young man felt no pain, however, so +scrambled to his feet, felt himself over with care, and then swore +roundly. He was untouched; the other had missed him cleanly. The +report, coming while he was in the act of leaping, had startled +him so that he had lost his balance, slipped upon the wet boards, +and fallen. His assailant was lost in the darkness before he could +rise. Pursuit was out of the question, so he continued homeward, +considerably shaken, and related the incident to Dextry. + +"You think it was some of McNamara's work, eh?" Dextry inquired +when he had finished. + +"Of course. Didn't the detective warn me to-day?" + +Dextry shook his head. "It don't seem like the game is that far +along yet. The time is coming when we'll go to the mat with them +people, but they've got the aige on us now, so what could they +gain by putting you away? I don't believe it's them, but whoever +it is, you'd better be careful or you'll be got." + +"Suppose we come home together after this," Roy suggested, and +they arranged to do so, realizing that danger lurked in the dark +corners and that it was in some such lonely spot that the deed +would be tried again. They experienced no trouble for a time, +though on nearing their cabin one night the younger man fancied +that he saw a shadow glide away from its vicinity and out into the +blackness of the tundra, as though some one had stood at his very +door waiting for him, then became frightened at the two figures +approaching. Dextry had not observed it, however, and Glenister +was not positive himself, but it served to give him the uncanny +feeling that some determined, unscrupulous force was bent on his +destruction. He determined to go nowhere unarmed. + +A few evenings later he went home early and was busied in writing +when Dextry came in about ten o'clock. The old miner hung up his +coat before speaking, lit a cigarette, inhaled deeply, then, amid +mouthfuls of smoke, began: + +"I had my own toes over the edge to-night. I was mistook for you, +which compliment I don't aim to have repeated." + +Glenister questioned him eagerly. + +"We're about the same height an' these hats of ours are alike. +Just as I come by that lumber-pile down yonder, a man hopped out +an throwed a 'gat' under my nose. He was quicker than light, and +near blowed my skelp into the next block before he saw who I was; +then he dropped his weepon and said: + +"'My mistake. Go on.' I accepted his apology." + +"Could you see who he was?" + +"Sure. Guess." + +"I can't." + +"It was the Bronco Kid." + +"Lord!" ejaculated Glenister. "Do you think he's after me?" + +"He ain't after nobody else, an', take my word for it, it's got +nothin' to do with McNamara nor that gamblin' row. He's too game +for that. There's some other reason." + +This was the first mention Dextry had made of the night at the +Northern. + +"I don't know why he should have it in for me--I never did him any +favors," Glenister remarked, cynically. + +"Well, you watch out, anyhow. I'd sooner face McNamara an' all the +crooks he can hire than that gambler." + +During the next few days Roy undertook to meet the proprietor of +the Northern face to face, but the Kid had vanished completely +from his haunts. He was not in his gambling-hall at night nor on +the street by day. The young man was still looking for him on the +evening of the dance at the hotel, when he chanced to meet one of +the Vigilantes, who inquired of him: + +"Aren't you late for the meeting?" + +"What meeting?" + +After seeing that they were alone, the other stated: + +"There's an assembly to-night at eleven o'clock. Something +important, I think. I supposed, of course, you knew about it." + +"It's strange I wasn't notified," said Roy. "It's probably an +oversight. Ill go along with you." + +Together they crossed the river to the less frequented part of +town and knocked at the door of a large, unlighted warehouse, +flanked by a high board fence. The building faced the street, but +was enclosed on the other three sides by this ten-foot wall, +inside of which were stored large quantities of coal and lumber. +After some delay they were admitted, and, passing down through the +dim-lit, high-banked lanes of merchandise, came to the rear room, +where they were admitted again. This compartment had been fitted +up for the warm storage of perishable goods during the cold +weather, and, being without windows, made an ideal place for +clandestine gatherings. + +Glenister was astonished to find every man of the organization +present, including Dextry, whom he supposed to have gone home an +hour since. Evidently a discussion had been in progress, for a +chairman was presiding, and the boxes, kegs, and bales of goods +had been shoved back against the walls for seats. On these were +ranged the threescore men of the "Stranglers," their serious faces +lighted imperfectly by scattered lanterns. A certain constraint +seized them upon Glenister's entrance; the chairman was +embarrassed. It was but momentary, however. Glenister himself felt +that tragedy was in the air, for it showed in the men's attitudes +and spoke eloquently from their strained faces. He was about to +question the man next to him when the presiding officer continued: + +"We will assemble here quietly with our arms at one o'clock. And +let me caution you again not to talk or do anything to scare the +birds away." + +Glenister arose. "I came late, Mr. Chairman, so I missed hearing +your plan. I gather that you're out for business, however, and I +want to be in it. May I ask what is on foot?" + +"Certainly. Things have reached such a pass that moderate means +are useless. We have decided to act, and act quickly. We have +exhausted every legal resource and now we're going to stamp out +this gang of robbers in our own way. We will get together in an +hour, divide into three groups of twenty men, each with a leader, +then go to the houses of McNamara, Stillman, and Voorhees, take +them prisoners, and--" He waved his hand in a large gesture. + +Glenister made no answer for a moment, while the crowd watched him +intently. + +"You have discussed this fully?" he asked. + +"We have. It has been voted on, and we're unanimous." + +"My friends, when I stepped into this room just now I felt that I +wasn't wanted. Why, I don't know, because I have had more to do +with organizing this movement than any of you, and because I have +suffered just as much as the rest. I want to know if I was omitted +from this meeting intentionally." + +"This is an embarrassing position to put me in," said the +chairman, gravely. "But I shall answer as spokesman for these men +if they wish." + +"Yes. Go ahead," said those around the room. + +"We don't question your loyalty, Mr. Glenister, but we didn't ask +you to this meeting because we know your attitude--perhaps I'd +better say sentiment--regarding Judge Stillman's niece--er-- +family. It has come to us from various sources that you have been +affected to the prejudice of your own and your partner's interest. +Now, there isn't going to be any sentiment in the affairs of the +Vigilantes. We are going to do justice, and we thought the +simplest way was to ignore you in this matter and spare all +discussion and hard feeling in every quarter." + +"It's a lie!" shouted the young man, hoarsely. "A damned lie! You +wouldn't let me in for fear I'd kick, eh? Well, you were right. I +will kick. You've hinted about my feelings for Miss Chester. Let +me tell you that she is engaged to marry McNamara, and that she's +nothing to me. Now, then, let me tell you, further, that you won't +break into her house and hang her uncle, even if he is a +reprobate. No, sir! This isn't the time for violence of that sort- +-we'll win without it. If we can't, let's fight like men, and not +hunt in a pack like wolves. If you want to do something, put us +back on our mines and help us hold them, but, for God's sake, +don't descend to assassination and the tactics of the Mafia!" + +"We knew you would make that kind of a talk," said the speaker, +while the rest murmured grudgingly. One of them spoke up. + +"We've talked this over in cold blood, Glenister, and it's a +question of their lives or our liberty. The law don't enter into +it." + +"That's right," echoed another at his elbow. "We can't seize the +claims, because McNamara's got soldiers to back him up. They'd +shoot us down. You ought to be the last one to object." + +He saw that dispute was futile. Determination was stamped on their +faces too plainly for mistake, and his argument had no more effect +on them than had the pale rays of the lantern beside him, yet he +continued: + +"I don't deny that McNamara deserves lynching, but Stillman +doesn't. He's a weak old man"--some one laughed derisively--"and +there's a woman in the house. He's all she has in the world to +depend upon, and you would have to kill her to get at him. If you +MUST follow this course, take the others, but leave him alone." + +They only shook their heads, while several pushed by him even as +he spoke. "We're going to distribute our favors equal," said a man +as he left. They were actuated by what they called justice, and he +could not sway them. The life and welfare of the North were in +their hands, as they thought, and there was not one to hesitate. +Glenister implored the chairman, but the man answered him: + +"It's too late for further discussion, and let me remind you of +your promise. You're bound by every obligation that exists for an +honorable man--" + +"Oh, don't think that I'll give the snap away!" said the other; +"but I warn you again not to enter Stillman's house." + +He followed out into the night to find that Dextry had +disappeared, evidently wishing to avoid argument. Roy had seen +signs of unrest beneath the prospector's restraint during the past +few days, and indications of a fierce hunger to vent his spleen on +the men who had robbed him of his most sacred rights. He was of an +intolerant, vindictive nature that would go to any length for +vengeance. Retribution was part of his creed. + +On his way home, the young man looked at his watch, to find that +he had but an hour to determine his course. Instinct prompted him +to join his friends and to even the score with the men who had +injured him so bitterly, for, measured by standards of the +frontier, they were pirates with their lives forfeit. Yet, he +could not countenance this step. If only the Vigilantes would be +content with making an example--but he knew they would not. The +blood hunger of a mob is easy to whet and hard to hold. McNamara +would resist, as would Voorhees and the district-attorney, then +there would be bloodshed, riot, chaos. The soldiers would be +called out and martial law declared, the streets would become +skirmish-grounds. The Vigilantes would rout them without question, +for every citizen of the North would rally to their aid, and such +men could not be stopped. The Judge would go down with the rest of +the ring, and what would happen to--her? + +He took down his Winchester, oiled and cleaned it, then buckled on +a belt of cartridges. Still he wrestled with himself. He felt that +he was being ground between his loyalty to the Vigilantes and his +own conscience. The girl was one of the gang, he reasoned--she had +schemed with them to betray him through his love, and she was +pledged to the one man in the world whom he hated with fanatical +fury. Why should he think of her in this hour? Six months back he +would have looked with jealous eyes upon the right to lead the +Vigilantes, but this change that had mastered him--what was it? +Not cowardice, nor caution. No. Yet, being intangible, it was none +the less marked, as his friends had shown him an hour since. + +He slipped out into the night. The mob might do as it pleased +elsewhere, but no man should enter her house. He found a light +shining from her parlor window, and, noting the shade up a few +inches, stole close. Peering through, he discovered Struve and +Helen talking. He slunk back into the shadows and remained hidden +for a considerable time after the lawyer left, for the dancers +were returning from the hotel and passed close by. When the last +group had chattered away down the street, he returned to the front +of the house and, mounting the steps, knocked sharply. As Helen +appeared at the door, he stepped inside and closed it after him. + +The girl's hair lay upon her neck and shoulders in tumbled brown +masses, while her breast heaved tumultuously at the sudden, grim +sight of him. She stepped back against the wall, her wondrous, +deep, gray eyes wide and troubled, the blush of modesty struggling +with the pallor of dismay. + +The picture pained him like a knife-thrust. This girl was for his +bitterest enemy--no hope of her was for him. He forgot for a +moment that she was false and plotting, then, recalling it, spoke +as roughly as he might and stated his errand. Then the old man had +appeared on the stairs above, speechless with fright at what he +overheard. It was evident that his nerves, so sorely strained by +the events of the past week, were now snapped utterly. A human +soul naked and panic-stricken is no pleasant sight, so Glenister +dropped his eyes and addressed the girl again: + +"Don't take anything with you. Just dress and come with me." + +The creature on the stairs above stammered and stuttered, +inquiringly: + +"What outrage is this, Mr. Glenister?" + +"The people of Nome are up in arms, and I've come to save you. +Don't stop to argue." He spoke impatiently. + +"Is this some r-ruse to get me into your power?" + +"Uncle Arthur!" exclaimed the girl, sharply. Her eyes met +Glenister's and begged him to take no offence. + +"I don't understand this atrocity. They must be mad!" wailed the +Judge. "You run over to the jail, Mr. Glenister, and tell Voorhees +to hurry guards here to protect me. Helen, 'phone to the military +post and give the alarm. Tell them the soldiers must come at +once." + +"Hold on!" said Glenister. "There's no use of doing that--the +wires are cut; and I won't notify Voorhees--he can take care of +himself. I came to help you, and if you want to escape you'll stop +talking and hurry up." + +"I don't know what to do," said Stillman, torn by terror and +indecision. "You wouldn't hurt an old man, would you? Wait! I'll +be down in a minute." + +He scrambled up the stairs, tripping on his robe, seemingly +forgetting his niece till she called up to him, sharply: + +"Stop, Uncle Arthur! You mustn't RUN AWAY." She stood erect and +determined, "You wouldn't do THAT, would you? This is our house. +You represent the law and the dignity of the government. You +mustn't fear a mob of ruffians. We will stay here and meet them, +of course." + +"Good Lord!" said Glenister. "That's madness. These men aren't +ruffians; they are the best citizens of Nome. You don't realize +that this is Alaska and that they have sworn to wipe out +McNamara's gang. Come along." + +"Thank you for your good intentions," she said, "but we have done +nothing to run away from. We will get ready to meet these cowards. +You had better go or they will find you here." + +She moved up the stairs, and, taking the Judge by the arm, led him +with her. Of a sudden she had assumed control of the situation +unfalteringly, and both men felt the impossibility of thwarting +her. Pausing at the top, she turned and looked down. + +"We are grateful for your efforts just the same. Good-night." + +"Oh, I'm not going," said the young man. "If you stick I'll do the +same." He made the rounds of the first-floor rooms, locking doors +and windows. As a place of defence it was hopeless, and he saw +that he would have to make his stand up-stairs. When sufficient +time had elapsed he called up to Helen: + +"May I come?" + +"Yes," she replied. So he ascended, to find Stillman in the hall, +half clothed and cowering, while by the light from the front +chamber he saw her finishing her toilet. + +"Won't you come with me--it's our last chance?" She only shook her +head. "Well, then, put out the light. I'll stand at that front +window, and when my eyes get used to the darkness I'll be able to +see them before they reach the gate." + +She did as directed, taking her place beside him at the opening, +while the Judge crept in and sat upon the bed, his heavy breathing +the only sound in the room. The two young people stood so close +beside each other that the sweet scent of her person awoke in him +an almost irresistible longing. He forgot her treachery again, +forgot that she was another's, forgot all save that he loved her +truly and purely, with a love which was like an agony to him. Her +shoulder brushed his arm; he heard the soft rustling of her +garment at her breast as she breathed. Some one passed in the +street, and she laid a hand upon him fearfully. It was very cold, +very tiny, and very soft, but he made no move to take it. The +moments dragged along, still, tense, interminable. Occasionally +she leaned towards him, and he stooped to catch her whispered +words. At such times her breath beat warm against his cheek, and +he closed his teeth stubbornly. Out in the night a wolfdog +saddened the air, then came the sound of others wrangling and +snarling in a near-by corral. This is a chickless land and no +cock-crow breaks the midnight peace. The suspense enhanced the +Judge's perturbation till his chattering teeth sounded like +castanets. Now and then he groaned. + +The watchers had lost track of time when their strained eyes +detected dark blots materializing out of the shadows. + +"There they come," whispered Glenister, forcing her back from the +aperture; but she would not be denied, and returned to his side. + +As the foremost figures reached the gate, Roy leaned forth and +spoke, not loudly, but in tones that sliced through the silence, +sharp, clean, and without warning. + +"Halt! Don't come inside the fence." There was an instant's +confusion; then, before the men beneath had time to answer or take +action, he continued: "This is Roy Glenister talking. I told you +not to molest these people and I warn you again. We're ready for +you." + +The leader spoke. "You're a traitor, Glenister." + +He winced. "Perhaps I am. You betrayed me first, 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. All we want is the Judge. We won't hang +him, not if he'll wear this suit we brought along. He needn't be +afraid. Tar is good for the skin." + +"Oh, my God!" groaned the limb of the law. + +Suddenly a man came running down the planked pavement and into the +group. + +"McNamara's gone, and so's the marshal and the rest," he panted. +There was a moment's silence, and then the leader growled to his +men, "Scatter out and rush the house, boys." He raised his voice +to the man in the window. "This is your work--you damned +turncoat." His followers melted away to right and left, vaulted +the fence, and dodged into the shelter of the walls. The click, +click of Glenister's Winchester sounded through the room while the +sweat stood out on him. He wondered if he could do this deed, if +he could really fire on these people. He wondered if his muscles +would not wither and paralyze before they obeyed his command. + +Helen crowded past him and, leaning half out of the opening, +called loudly, her voice ringing clear and true: + +"Wait! Wait a moment. I have something to say. Mr. Glenister +didn't warn them. They thought you were going to attack the mines +and so they rode out there before midnight. I am telling you the +truth, really. They left hours ago." It was the first sign she had +made, and they recognized her to a man. + +There were uncertain mutterings below till a new man raised his +voice. Both Roy and Helen recognised Dextry. + +"Boys, we've overplayed. We don't want THESE people--McNamara's +our meat. Old bald-face up yonder has to do what he's told, and +I'm ag'in' this twenty-to-one midnight work. I'm goin' home." +There were some whisperings, then the original spokesman called +for Judge Stillman. The old man tottered to the window, a palsied, +terror-stricken object. The girl was glad he could not be seen +from below. + +"We won't hurt you this time, Judge, but you've gone far enough. +We'll give you another chance, then, if you don't make good, we'll +stretch you to a lamp-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 narrow a margin 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 support the Northland +offered him. Henceforth he was a renegade, a pariah, hated alike +by both factions. He purposely avoided sight of Stillman 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 US!" cried Roy, with a break in his voice. "Do you think I +sacrificed my honor, betrayed my friends, killed my last hope, +ostracized myself, for 'US'? 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 Eskimo any longer- +-I'm a man!" + +"You've always been that," she said. "I don't understand as much +about this affair as I want to, and it seems to me that no one +will explain it. I'm very stupid, I guess; but won't you come back +to-morrow and tell it to me?" + +"No," he said, roughly. "You're not of my people. McNamara and his +are no friends of mine, and I'm no friend of theirs." He was half +down the steps before she said, softly: + +"Good-night, and God bless you--friend." + +She returned to the Judge, who was in a pitiable state, and for a +long time she labored to soothe him as though he were a child. She +undertook to question him about the things which lay uppermost in +her mind and which this night had half revealed, but he became +fretful and irritated at the mention of mines and mining. She sat +beside his bed till he dozed off, puzzling to discover what lay +behind the hints she had heard, till her brain and body matched in +absolute weariness. The reflex of the day's excitement sapped her +strength till she could barely creep to her own couch, where she +rolled and sighed--too tired to sleep at once. She awoke finally, +with one last nervous flicker, before complete oblivion took her. +A sentence was on her mind--it almost seemed as though she had +spoken it aloud: + +"The handsomest woman in the North...but Glenister ran away." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +IN WHICH THE TRUTH BEGINS TO BARE ITSELF + + +It was nearly noon of the next day when Helen awoke to find that +McNamara had ridden in from the Creek and stopped for breakfast +with the Judge. He had asked for her, but on hearing the tale of +the night's adventure would not allow her to be disturbed. Later, +he and the Judge had gone away together. + +Although her judgment approved the step she had contemplated the +night before, still the girl now felt a strange reluctance to meet +McNamara. It is true that she knew no ill of him, except that +implied in the accusations of certain embittered men; and she was +aware that every strong and aggressive character makes enemies in +direct proportionate the qualities which lend him greatness. +Nevertheless, she was aware of an inner conflict that she had not +foreseen. This man who so confidently believed that she would +marry him did not dominate her consciousness. + +She had ridden much of late, taking long, solitary gallops beside +the shimmering sea that she loved so well, or up the winding +valleys into the foot-hills where echoed the roar of swift waters +or glinted the flash of shovel blades. This morning her horse was +lame, so she determined to walk. In her early rambles she had +looked timidly askance at the rough men she met till she +discovered their genuine respect and courtesy. The most unkempt +among them were often college-bred, although, for that matter, the +roughest of the miners showed abundant consideration for a woman. +So she was glad to allow the men to talk to her with the fine +freedom inspired by the new country and its wide spaces. The +wilderness breeds a chivalry all its own. + +Thus there seemed to be no danger abroad, though they had told the +girl of mad dogs which roamed the city, explaining that the hot +weather affects powerfully the thick-coated, shaggy "malamoots." +This is the land of the dog, and whereas in winter his lot is to +labor and shiver and starve, in summer he loafs, fights, grows +fat, and runs mad with the heat. + +Helen walked far and, returning, chose an unfamiliar course +through the outskirts of the town to avoid meeting any of the +women she knew, because of that vivid memory of the night before. +As she walked swiftly along she thought that she heard faint cries +far behind her. Looking up, she noted that it was a lonely, barren +quarter and that the only figure in sight was a woman some +distance away. A few paces farther on the shouts recurred--more +plainly this time, and a gunshot sounded. Glancing back, she saw +several men running, one bearing a smoking revolver, and heard, +nearer still, the snarling hubbub of fighting dogs. In a flash the +girl's curiosity became horror, for, as she watched, one of the +dogs made a sudden dash through the now subdued group of animals +and ran swiftly along the planking on which she stood. It was a +handsome specimen of the Eskimo malamoot--tall, gray, and coated +like a wolf, with the speed, strength, and cunning of its cousin. +Its head hung low and swung from side to side as it trotted, the +motion flecking foam and slaver. The creature had scattered the +pack, and now, swift, menacing, relentless, was coming towards +Helen. There was no shelter near, no fence, no house, save the +distant one towards which the other woman was making her way. The +men, too far away to protect her, shouted hoarse warnings. + +Helen did 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. Yes--there was the quick patter of his +pads close up behind her; her knees weakened; the sheltering door +was yet some yards away. But a horse, tethered near the walk, +reared and snorted as the flying 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, weak +and faint, to reach the door. She wrenched at the knob. It was +locked. As she turned hopelessly away, she saw that the other +woman was directly behind her, and was, in her turn, awaiting the +mad animal's onslaught, but calmly, a tiny revolver in her hand. + +"Shoot!" screamed Helen. "Why don't you shoot?" The little gun +spoke, and the dog spun around, snarling and yelping. The woman +fired several times more before it lay still, and then 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. + +"How well you shoot!" she gasped. Her eyes were on the gray bundle +whose death agonies had thrust it almost to her feet. The men had +run up and were talking excitedly, but after a word with them the +woman turned to Helen. + +"You must come in for a moment and recover yourself," she said, +and led her inside. + +It was a cosey room in which the girl found herself--more than +that--luxurious. There was a piano with scattered music, and many +of the pretty, feminine things that Helen had not seen since +leaving home. The hostess had stepped behind some curtains for an +instant and was talking to her from the next room. + +"That is the third mad dog I have seen this month. Hydrophobia is +becoming a habit in this neighborhood." She returned, bearing a +tiny silver tray with decanter and glasses. + +"You're all unstrung, but this brandy will help you--if you don't +object to a swallow of it. Then come right in here and lie down +for a moment and you'll be all right." She spoke with such genuine +kindness and sympathy that Helen flashed a grateful glance at her. +She was tall, slender, and with a peculiar undulating suggestion +in her movements, as though she had been bred to the clinging +folds of silken garments. Helen watched the charm of her smile, +the friendly solicitude of her expression, and felt her heart warm +towards this one kind woman in Nome. + +"You're very good," she answered; "but I'm all right now. I was +badly frightened. It was wonderful, your saving me." She followed +the other's graceful motion as she placed her burden on the table, +and in doing so gazed squarely at a photograph of Roy Glenister. + +"Oh--!" Helen exclaimed, then paused as it flashed over her who +this girl was. She looked at her quickly. Yes, probably men would +consider the woman beautiful, with that smile. The revelation came +with a shock, and she arose, trying to mask her confusion. + +"Thank you so much for your kindness. I'm quite myself now and I +must go." + +Her change of face could not escape the quick perceptions of one +schooled by experience in the slights of her sex. Times without +number Cherry Malotte had marked that subtle, scornful change in +other women, and reviled herself for heeding it. But in some way +this girl's manner hurt her worst of all. She betrayed no sign, +however, save a widening of the eyes and a certain fixity of smile +as she answered: + +"I wish you would stay until you are rested, Miss--" She paused +with out-stretched hand. + +"Chester. My name is Helen Chester. I'm Judge Stillman's niece," +hurried the other, in embarrassment. + +Cherry Malotte withdrew her proffered hand and her face grew hard +and hateful. + +"Oh! So you are Miss Chester--and I--saved you!" She laughed +harshly. + +Helen strove for calmness. "I'm sorry you feel that way," she +said, coolly. "I appreciate your service to me." She moved towards +the door. + +"Wait a moment. I want to talk to you." Then, as Helen paid no +heed, the woman burst out, bitterly: "Oh, don't be afraid! I know +you are committing an unpardonable sin by talking to me, but no +one will see you, and in your code the crime lies in being +discovered. Therefore, you're quite safe. That's what makes me an +outcast--I was found out. I want you to know, however, that, bad +as I am, I'm better than you, for I'm loyal to those that like me, +and I don't betray my friends." + +"I don't pretend to understand you," said Helen, coldly. + +"Oh yes, you do! Don't assume such innocence. Of course it's your +role, but you can't play it with me." She stepped in front of her +visitor, placing her back against the door, while her face was +bitter and mocking. "The little service I did you just now +entitles me to a privilege, I suppose, and I'm going to take +advantage of it to tell you how badly your mask fits. Dreadfully +rude of me, isn't it? You're in with a fine lot of crooks, and I +admire the way you've done your share of the dirty work, but when +you assume these scandalized, supervirtuous airs it offends me." + +"Let me out!" + +"I've done bad things," Cherry continued, unheedingly, "but I was +forced into them, usually, and I never, deliberately, tried to +wreck a man's life just for his money." + +"What do you mean by saying that I have betrayed my friends and +wrecked anybody's life?" Helen demanded, hotly. + +"Bah! I had you sized up at the start, but Roy couldn't see it. +Then Struve told me what I hadn't guessed. A bottle of wine, a +woman, and that fool will tell all he knows. It's a great game +McNamara's playing and he did well to get you in on it, for you're +clever, your nerve is good, and your make-up is great for the +part. I ought to know, for I've turned a few tricks myself. You'll +pardon this little burst of feeling--professional pique. I'm +jealous of your ability, that's all. However, now that you realize +we're in the same class, don't look down on me hereafter." She +opened the door and bowed her guest out with elaborate mockery. + +Helen was too bewildered and humiliated to make much out of this +vicious and incoherent attack except the fact that Cherry Malotte +accused her of a part in this conspiracy which every one seemed to +believe existed. Here again was that hint of corruption which she +encountered on all sides. This might be merely a woman's jealousy- +-and yet she said Struve had told her all about it--that a bottle +of wine and a pretty face would make the lawyer disclose +everything. She could believe it from what she knew and had heard +of him. The feeling that she was groping in the dark, that she was +wrapped in a mysterious woof of secrecy, came over her again as it +had so often of late. If Struve talked to that other woman, why +wouldn't he talk to her? She paused, changing her direction +towards Front Street, revolving rapidly in her mind as she went +her course of action. Cherry Malotte believed her to be an +actress. Very well--she would prove her judgment right. + +She found Struve busy in his private office, but he leaped to his +feet on her entrance and came forward, offering her a chair. + +"Good-morning, Miss Helen. You have a fine color, considering the +night you passed. The Judge told me all about the affair; and let +me state that you're the pluckiest girl I know." + +She smiled grimly at the thought of what made her cheeks glow, and +languidly loosened the buttons of her jacket. + +"I suppose you're very busy, you lawyer man?" she inquired. + +"Yes--but not too busy to attend to anything you want." + +"Oh, I didn't come on business," she said, lightly. "I was out +walking and merely sauntered in." + +"Well, I appreciate that all the more," he said, in an altered +tone, twisting his chair about. "I'm more than delighted." She +judged she was getting on well from the way his professionalism +had dropped off. + +"Yes, I get tired of talking to uncle and Mr. McNamara. They treat +me as though I were a little girl." + +"When do you take the fatal step?" + +"What step do you mean?" + +"Your marriage. When does it occur? You needn't hesitate," he +added. "McNamara told we about it a month ago." + +He felt his throat gingerly at the thought, but his eyes +brightened when she answered, lightly: + +"I think you are mistaken. He must have been joking." + +For some time she led him on adroitly, talking of many things, in +a way to make him wonder at her new and flippant humor. He had +never dreamed she could be like this, so tantalizingly close to +familiarity, and yet so maddeningly aloof and distant. He grew +bolder in his speech. + +"How are things going with us?" she questioned, as his warmth grew +pronounced. "Uncle won't talk and Mr. McNamara is as close-mouthed +as can be, lately." + +He looked at her quickly. "In what respect?" + +She summoned up her courage and walked past the ragged edge of +uncertainty. + +"Now, don't you try to keep me in short dresses, too. It's getting +wearisome. I've done my part and I want to know what the rest of +you are doing." She was prepared for any answer. + +"What do you want to know?" he asked, cautiously. + +"Everything. Don't you think I can hear what people are saying?" + +"Oh, that's it! Well, don't you pay any attention to what people +say." + +She recognized her mistake and continued, hurriedly: + +"Why shouldn't I? Aren't we all in this together? I object to +being used and then discarded. I think I'm entitled to know how +the scheme is working. Don't you think I can keep my mouth shut?" + +"Of course," he laughed, trying to change the subject of their +talk; but she arose and leaned against the desk near him, vowing +that she would not leave the office without piercing some part of +this mystery. His manner strengthened her suspicion that there WAS +something behind it all. This dissipated, brilliant creature knew +the situation thoroughly; and yet, though swayed by her efforts, +he remained chained 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." + +"Give, give, give," said Struve, cynically. "That's always the +woman's cry. Give me this--give me that. Selfish sex! Why don't +you offer something in return? Men are traders, women usurers. You +are curious, hence miserable. I can help you, therefore I should, +do it for a smile. You ask me to break my promises and risk my +honor on your caprice. Well, that's woman-like, and I'll do it. +I'll put myself in your power, but I won't do it gratis. No, we'll +trade." + +"It isn't curiosity," she denied, indignantly. "It is my due." + +"No; you've heard the common talk and grown suspicious, that's +all. You think I know something that will throw a new light or a +new shadow on everything you have in the world, and you're worked +up to such a condition that you can't take your own people's word; +and, on the other hand, you can't go to strangers, so you come to +me. Suppose I told you I had the papers you brought to me last +spring in that safe and that they told the whole story--whether +your uncle is unimpeachable or whether he deserved hanging by that +mob. What would you do, eh? What would you give to see them? Well, +they're there and ready to speak for themselves. If you're a woman +you won't rest till you've seen them. Will you trade?" + +"Yes, yes! Give them to me," she cried, eagerly, at which a wave +of crimson rushed up to his eyes and he rose abruptly from his +chair. He made towards her, but she retreated to the wall, pale +and wide-eyed. + +"Can't you see," she flung at him, "that I MUST know?" + +He paused. "Of course I can, but I want a kiss to bind the +bargain--to apply on account." He reached for her hand with his +own hot one, but she pushed him away and slipped past him towards +the door. + +"Suit yourself," said he, "but if I'm not mistaken, you'll never +rest till you've seen those papers. I've studied you, and I'll +place a bet that you can't marry McNamara nor look your uncle in +the eye till you know the truth. You might do either if you KNEW +them to be crooks, but you couldn't if you only suspected it-- +that's the woman. When you get ready, come back; I'll show you +proof, because I don't claim to be anything but what I am--Wilton +Struve, bargainer of some mean ability. When they come to inscribe +my headstone I hope they can carve thereon with truth, 'He got +value received.'" + +"You're a panther," she said, loathingly. + +"Graceful and elegant brute, that," he laughed. "Affectionate and +full of play, but with sharp teeth and sharper claws. To follow +out the idea, which pleases me, I believe the creature owes no +loyalty to its fellows and hunts alone. Now, when you've followed +this conspiracy out and placed the blame where it belongs, won't +you come and tell me about it? That door leads into an outer hall +which opens into the street. No one will see you come or go." + +As she hurried away she wondered dazedly why she had stayed to +listen so long. What a monster he was! His meaning was plain, had +always been so from the first day he laid eyes upon her, and he +was utterly conscienceless. She had known all this; and yet, in +her proud, youthful confidence, and in her need, every hour more +desperate and urgent, to know the truth, she had dared risk +herself with him. Withal, the man was shrewd and observant and had +divined her mental condition with remarkable sagacity. She had +failed with him; but the girl now knew that she could never rest +till she found an answer to her questions. She MUST kill this +suspicion that ate into her so. She thought tenderly of her +uncle's goodness to her, clung with despairing faith to the last +of her kin. The blood ties of the Chesters were close and she felt +in dire need of that lost brother who was somewhere in this +mysterious land--need of some one in whom ran the strain that +bound her to the weak old man up yonder. There was McNamara; but +how could he help her, how much did she know of him, this man who +was now within the darkest shadow of her new suspicions? + +Feeling almost intolerably friendless and alone, weakened both by +her recent fright and by her encounter with Struve, Helen +considered as calmly as her emotions would allow and decided that +this was no day in which pride should figure. There were facts +which it was imperative she should know, and immediately; +therefore, a few minutes later, she knocked at the door of Cherry +Malotte. When the girl appeared, Helen was astonished to see that +she had been crying. Tears burn hottest and leave plainest trace +in eyes where they come most seldom. The younger girl could not +guess the tumult of emotion the other had undergone during her +absence, the utter depths of self-abasement she had fathomed, for +the sight of Helen and her fresh young beauty had roused in the +adventuress a very tempest of bitterness and jealousy. Whether +Helen Chester were guilty or innocent, how could Glenister +hesitate between them? Cherry had asked herself. Now she stared at +her visitor inhospitably and without sign. + +"Will you let me come in?" Helen asked her. "I have something to +say to you." + +When they were inside, Cherry Malotte stood and gazed at her +visitor with inscrutable eyes and stony face. + +"It isn't easy for me to come back," Helen began, "but I felt that +I had to. If you can help me, I hope you will. You said that you +knew a great wrong was being done. I have suspected it, but I +didn't know, and I've been afraid to doubt my own people. You said +I had a part in it--that I'd betrayed my friends. Wait a moment," +she hurried on, at the other's cynical smile. "Won't you tell me +what you know and what you think my part has been? I've heard and +seen things that make me think--oh, they make me afraid to think, +and yet I can't find the TRUTH! You see, in a struggle like this, +people will make all sorts of allegations, but do they KNOW, have +they any proof, that my uncle has done wrong?" + +"Is that all?" + +"No. You said Struve told you the whole scheme. I went to him and +tried to cajole the story out of him, but--" She shivered at the +memory. + +"What success did you have?" inquired 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 waif. Well, Miss Helen Chester, I +don't believe a word you've said and I'll tell you nothing. Go +back to the uncle and the rawboned lover who sent you, and inform +them that I'll speak when the time comes. They think I know too +much, do they?--so they've sent you to spy? Well, I'll make a +compact. You play your game and I'll play mine. Leave Glenister +alone and I'll not tell on McNamara. Is it a bargain?" + +"No, no, no! Can't you SEE? That's not it. All I want is the truth +of this thing." + +"Then go back to Struve and get it. He'll tell you; I won't. Drive +your bargain with him--you're able. You've fooled better men--now, +see what you can do with him." + +Helen left, realizing the futility of further effort, though she +felt that this woman did not really doubt her, but was scourged by +jealousy till she deliberately chose this attitude. + +Reaching her own house, she wrote two brief notes and called in +her Jap boy from the kitchen. + +"Fred, I want you to hunt up Mr. Glenister and give him this note. +If you can't find him, then look for his partner and give the +other to him." Fred vanished, to return in an hour with the letter +for Dextry still in his hand. + +"I don' catch dis feller," he explained. "Young mans say he gone, +come back mebbe one, two, 'leven days." + +"Did you deliver the one to Mr. Glenister?" + +"Yes, ma'am." + +"Was there an answer?" + +"Yes, ma'am." + +"Well, give it to me." + +The note read: + +"DEAR MISS CHESTER,--A discussion of a matter so familiar to us +both as the Anvil Creek controversy would be useless. If your +inclination is due to the incidents of last night, pray don't +trouble yourself. We don't want your pity. I am, + + "Your servant, + + "ROY GLENISTER." + +As she read the note, Judge Stillman entered, and it seemed to the +girl that he had aged a year for every hour in the last twelve, or +else the yellow afternoon light limned the sagging hollows and +haggard lines of his face most pitilessly. He showed in voice and +manner the nervous burden under which he labored. + +"Alec has told me about your engagement, and it lifts a terrible +load from me. I'm mighty glad you're going to marry him. He's a +wonderful man, and he's the only one who can save us." + +"What do you mean by that? What are we in danger of?" she +inquired, avoiding discussion of McNamara's announcement. + +"Why, that mob, of course. They'll come back. They said so. But +Alec can handle the commanding officer at the post, and, thanks to +him, we'll have soldiers guarding the house hereafter." + +"Why--they won't hurt us--" + +"Tut, tut! I know what I'm talking about. We're in worse danger +now than ever, and if we don't break up those Vigilantes there'll +be bloodshed--that's what. They're a menace, and they're trying to +force me off the bench so they can take the law into their own +hands again. That's what I want to see you about. They're planning +to kill Alec and me--so he says--and we've got to act quick to +prevent murder. Now, this young Glenister is one of them, and he +knows who the rest are. Do you think you could get him to talk?" + +"I don't think I quite understand you," said the girl, through +whitening lips. + +"Oh yes, you do. I want the names of the ring-leaders, so that I +can jail them. You can worm it out of that fellow if you try." + +Helen looked at the old man in a horror that at first was dumb. +"You ask this of me?" she demanded, hoarsely, at last. + +"Nonsense," he said, irritably. "This isn't any time for silly +scruples. It's life or death for me, maybe, and for Alec, too." He +said the last craftily, but she stormed at him: + +"It's infamous! You're asking me to betray the very man who saved +us not twelve hours ago. He risked his life for us." + +"It isn't treachery at all, it's protection. If we don't get them, +they'll get us. I wouldn't punish that young fellow, but I want +the others. Come, now, you've got to do it." + +But she said "No" firmly, and quietly went to her own room, where, +behind the locked door, she sat for a long time staring with +unseeing eyes, her hands tight clenched in her lap. At last she +whispered: + +"I'm afraid it's true. I'm afraid it's true." + +She remained hidden during the dinner-hour, and pleaded a headache +when McNamara called in the early evening. Although she had not +seen him since he left her the night before, bearing her tacit +promise to wed him, yet how could she meet him now with the +conviction growing on her hourly that he was a master-rogue? She +wrestled with the thought that he and her uncle, her own uncle who +stood in the place of a father, were conspirators. And yet, at +memory of the Judge's cold-blooded request that she should turn +traitress, her whole being was revolted. If he could ask a thing +like that, what other heartless, selfish act might he not be +capable of? All the long, solitary evening she kept her room, but +at last, feeling faint, slipped down-stairs in search of Fred, for +she had eaten nothing since her late breakfast. + +Voices reached her from the parlor, and as she came to the last +step she froze there in an attitude of listening. The first +sentence she heard through the close-drawn curtains banished all +qualms at eavesdropping. She stood for many breathless minutes +drinking in the plot that came to her plainly from within, then +turned, gathered up her skirts, and tiptoed back to her room. Here +she made haste madly, tearing off her house clothes and donning +others. + +She pressed her face to the window and noted that the night was +like a close-hung velvet pall, without a star in sight. +Nevertheless, she wound a heavy veil about her hat and face before +she extinguished the light and stepped into the hall. Hearing +McNamara's "Good-night" at the front-door, she retreated again +while her uncle slowly mounted the stairs and paused before her +chamber. He called her name softly, but when she did not answer +continued on to his own room. When he was safely within she +descended quietly, went out, and locked the front-door behind her, +placing the key in her bosom. She hurried now, feeling her way +through the thick gloom in a panic, while in her mind was but one +frightened thought: "I'll be too late. I'll be too late." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE DRIP OF WATER IN THE DARK + + +Even after Helen had been out for some time she could barely see +sufficiently to avoid collisions. The air, weighted by a low-hung +roof of clouds, was surcharged with the electric suspense of an +impending storm, and seemed to sigh and tremble at the hint of +power in leash. It was that pause before the conflict wherein the +night laid finger upon its lips. + +As the girl neared Glenister's cabin she was disappointed at +seeing no light there. She stumbled towards the door, only to +utter a half-strangled cry as two men stepped out of the gloom and +seized her roughly. Something cold and hard was thrust violently +against her cheek, forcing her head back and bruising her. She +struggled and cried out. + +"Hold on--it's a woman!" ejaculated the man who had pinioned her +arms, loosing his hold till only a hand remained on her shoulder. +The other lowered the weapon he had jammed to her face and peered +closely. + +"Why, Miss Chester," he said. "What are you doing here? You came +near getting hurt." + +"I am bound for the Wilsons', but I must have lost my way in the +darkness. I think you have cut my face." She controlled her fright +firmly. + +"That's too bad," one said. "We mistook you for--" And the other +broke in, sharply, "You'd better run along. We're waiting for some +one." + +Helen hastened back by the route she had come, knowing that there +was still time, and that as yet her uncle's emissaries had not +laid hands upon Glenister. She had overheard the Judge and +McNamara plotting to drag the town with a force of deputies, +seizing not only her two friends, but every man suspected of being +a Vigilante. The victims were to be jailed without bond, without +reason, without justice, while the mechanism of the court was to +be juggled in order to hold them until fall, if necessary. They +had said that the officers were already busy, so haste was a +crying thing. She sped down the dark streets towards the house of +Cherry Malotte, but found no light nor answer to her knock. She +was distracted now, and knew not where to seek next among the +thousand spots which might hide the man she wanted. What chance +had she against the posse sweeping the town from end to end? There +was only one; he might be at the Northern Theatre. Even so, she +could not reach him, for she dared not go there herself. She +thought of Fred, her Jap boy, but there was no time. Wasted +moments meant failure. + +Roy had once told her that he never gave up what he undertook. +Very well, she would show that even a girl may possess +determination. This was no time for modesty or shrinking +indecision, so she pulled the veil more closely about her face and +took her good name into her hands. She made rapidly towards the +lighted streets which cast a skyward glare, and from which, +through the breathless calm, arose the sound of carousal. Swiftly +she threaded the narrow alleys in search of the theatre's rear +entrance, for she dared not approach from the front. In this way +she came into a part of the camp which had lain hidden from her +until now, and of the existence of which she had never dreamed. + +The vices of a city, however horrible, are at least draped +scantily by the mantle of convention, but in a great mining-camp +they stand naked and without concealment. Here there were rows +upon rows of crib-like houses clustered over tortuous, ill-lighted +lanes, like blow-flies swarming to an unclean feast. From within +came the noise of ribaldry and debauch. Shrill laughter mingled +with coarse, maudlin songs, till the clinging night reeked with +abominable revelry. The girl saw painted creatures 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 approached 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 longshoreman in that particular +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 was flung open, +framing the silhouette of a shirt-sleeved, thick-set youth, who +shouted: + +"What 'n 'ell do you want to butt in for while the show's on? Go +round front." She caught a glimpse of disordered scenery, and +before he could slam the door in her face thrust a silver dollar +into his hand, at the same time wedging herself into the opening. +He pocketed the coin and the door clicked to behind her. + +"Well, speak up. The act's closin'." Evidently he was the +directing genius of the performance, for at that moment the chorus +broke into full cry, and he said, hurriedly: + +"Wait a minute. There goes the finally," and dashed away to tend +his drops and switches. When the curtain was down and the +principals had sought their dressing-rooms he returned. + +"Do you know Mr. Glenister?" she asked. + +"Sure. I seen him to-night. Come here." He led her towards the +footlights, and, pulling back the edge of the curtain, allowed her +to peep past him out into the dance-hall. She had never pictured a +place like this, and in spite of her agitation was astonished at +its gaudy elegance. The gallery was formed of a continuous row of +compartments with curtained fronts, in which men and women were +talking, drinking, singing. The seats on the lower floor were +disappearing, and the canvas cover was rolling back, showing the +polished hardwood underneath, while out through the wide folding- +doors that led to the main gambling-room she heard a brass-lunged +man calling the commencement of the dance. Couples glided into +motion while she watched. + +"I don't see him," said her guide. "You better walk out front and +help yourself." He indicated the stairs which led up to the +galleried boxes and the steps leading down on to the main floor, +but she handed him another coin, begging him to find Glenister and +bring him to her. "Hurry; hurry!" she implored. + +The stage-manager gazed at her curiously, remarking, "My! You +spend your money like it had been left to you. You're a regular +pie-check for me. Come around any time." + +She withdrew to a dark corner and waited interminably till her +messenger appeared at the head of the gallery stairs and beckoned +to her. As she drew near he said, "I told him there was a +thousand-dollar filly flaggin' him from the stage door, but he's +got a grouch an' won't stir. He's in number seven." She hesitated, +at which he said, "Go on--you're in right;" then continued, +reassuringly: "Say, pal, if he's your white-haired lad, you +needn't start no roughhouse, 'cause he don't flirt wit' these +dames none whatever. Naw! Take it from me." + +She entered the door her counsellor indicated to find Roy lounging +back watching the dancers. He turned inquiringly--then, as she +raised her veil, leaped to his feet and jerked the curtains to. + +"Helen! What are you doing here?" + +"You must go away quickly," she gasped. "They're trying to arrest +you." + +"They! Who? Arrest me for what?" + +"Voorhees and his men--for riot, or something about last night." + +"Nonsense," he said. "I had no part in it. You know that." + +"Yes, yes--but you're a Vigilante, and they're after you and all +your friends. Your house is guarded and the town is alive with +deputies. They've planned to jail you on some pretext or other and +hold you indefinitely. Please go before it's too late." + +"How do you know this?" he asked, gravely. + +"I overheard them plotting." + +"Who?" + +"Uncle Arthur and Mr. McNamara." She faced him squarely as she +said it, and therefore saw the light flame up in his eyes as he +cried: + +"And you came here to save me--came HERE at the risk of your good +name?" + +"Of course. I would have done the same for Dextry." The gladness +died away, leaving him listless. + +"Well, let them come. I'm done, I guess. I heard from Wheaton to- +night. He's down and out, too--some trouble with the 'Frisco +courts about jurisdiction over these cases. I don't know that it's +worth while to fight any longer." + +"Listen," she said. "You must go. I am sure there is a terrible +wrong being done, and you and I must stop it. I have seen the +truth at last, and you're in the right. Please hide for a time at +least." + +"Very well. If you have taken sides with us there's some hope +left. Thank you for the risk you ran in warning me." + +She had moved to the front of the compartment and was peering +forth between the draperies when she stifled a cry. + +"Too late! Too late! There they are. Don't part the curtains. +They'll see you." + +Pushing through the gambling-hall were Voorhees and four others, +seemingly in quest of some one. + +"Run down the back stairs," she breathed, and pushed him through +the door. He caught and held her hand with a last word of +gratitude. Then he was gone. She drew down her veil and was about +to follow when the door opened and he reappeared. + +"No use," he remarked, quietly. "There are three more waiting at +the foot." He looked out to find that the officers had searched +the crowd and were turning towards the front stairs, thus cutting +off his retreat. There were but two ways down from the gallery and +no outside windows from which to leap. As they had made no armed +display, the presence of the officers had not interrupted the +dance. + +Glenister drew his revolver, while into his eyes came the dancing +glitter that Helen had seen before, cold as the glint of winter +sunlight. + +"No, not that--for God's sake!" she shuddered, clasping his arm. + +"I must for your sake, or they'll find you here, and that's worse +than ruin. I'll fight it out in the corridors so that you can +escape in the confusion. Wait till the firing stops and the crowd +gathers." His hand was on the knob when she tore it loose, +whispering hoarsely: + +"They'll kill you. Wait! There's a better way. Jump." She dragged +him to the front of the box and pulled aside the curtains. "It +isn't high and they won't see you till it's too late. Then you can +run through the crowd." He grasped her idea, and, slipping his +weapon back into its holster, laid hold of the ledge before him +and lowered himself down over the dancers. He swung out +unhesitatingly, and almost before he had been observed had dropped +into their midst. The gallery was but twice the height of a man's +head from the floor, so he landed on his feet and had drawn his +Colts even while the men at the stairs were shouting at him to +halt. + +At sight of the naked weapons there was confusion, wherein the +commands of the deputies mingled with the shrieks of the women, +the crash of overturned chairs, and the sound of tramping feet, as +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 palms to her ears, closing her eyes tightly. + +Glenister covered the deputies, from whose vicinity the by- +standers surged as though from the presence of lepers. + +"Hands up!" he cried, sharply, and they froze into motionless +attitudes, one poised on the lowest step of the stairs, the other +a pace forward. Voorhees appeared 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 diagonally across the hall, his +boot-heels clicking in the silence, his eyes shifting rapidly up +and down the stairs where the danger lay. + +From her station Helen could see the whole tableau, all but the +men on the stairs, where her vision was cut off. She saw the dance +girls crouched behind their partners or leaning far out from the +wall with parted lips, the men eager yet fearful, the bartender +with a half-polished glass poised high. Then a quick movement +across the hall suddenly diverted her absorbed attention. She saw +a man rip aside the drapery of the box opposite and lean so far +out that he seemed in peril of falling. He undertook to sight a +weapon at Glenister, who was just passing from his view. At her +first glance Helen gasped--her heart gave one fierce lunge, and +she cried out. + +The distance across the pit was so short that she saw his every +line and lineament clearly; it was the brother she had sought +these years and years. Before she knew or could check it the blood +call leaped forth. + +"Drury!" she cried, aloud, at which he whipped his head about, +while amazement and some other emotion she could not gauge spread +slowly over his features. For a long moment he stared at her +without movement or sign while the drama beneath went on, then he +drew back into his retreat with the dazed look of one doubting his +senses, yet fearful of putting them to the test. For her part, she +saw nothing except her brother vanishing slowly into the shadows +as though stricken at her glance, the curtains closing before his +livid face--and then pandemonium broke loose at her feet. + +Glenister, holding his enemies at bay, had retreated to the double +doors leading to the theatre. His coup had been executed so +quickly and with such lack of turmoil that the throng outside knew +nothing of it till they saw a man walk backward through the door. +As he did so he reached forth and slammed the wide wings shut +before his face, then turned and dashed into the press. Inside the +dance-hall loud sounds arose as the officers clattered down the +stairs and made after their quarry. They tore the barrier apart in +time to see, far down the saloon, an eddying swirl as though some +great fish were lashing through the lily-pads of a pond, and then +the swinging doors closed behind Glenister. + +Helen made her way from the theatre as she had come, unobserved +and unobserving, but she walked in a dream. Emotions had chased +each other too closely to-night to be distinguishable, so she went +mechanically through the narrow alley to Front Street and thence +to her home. + +Glenister, meanwhile, had been swallowed up by the darkness, the +night enfolding him without sign or trace. As he ran he considered +what course to follow--whether to carry the call to his comrades +in town or to make for the Creek and Dextry. The Vigilantes might +still distrust him, and yet he owed them warning. McNamara's men +were moving so swiftly that action must be speedy to forestall +them. Another hour and the net would be closed, while it seemed +that whichever course he chose they would snare one or the other-- +either the friends who remained in town, or Dex and Slapjack out +in the hills. With daylight those two would return and walk +unheeding into the trap, while if he bore the word to them first, +then the Vigilantes would be jailed before dawn. As he drew near +Cherry Malotte's house he saw a light through the drawn curtains. +A heavy raindrop plashed upon his face, another followed, and then +he heard the patter of falling water increasing swiftly. Before he +could gain the door the storm had broken. It swept up the street +with tropical violence, while a breath sighed out of the night, +lifting the litter from underfoot and pelting him with flying +particles. Over the roofs the wind rushed with the rising moan of +a hurricane while the night grew suddenly noisy ahead of the +tempest. + +He entered the door without knocking, to find the girl removing +her coat. Her face gladdened at sight of him, but he checked her +with quick and cautious words, his speech almost drowned by the +roar outside. + +"Are you alone?" She nodded, and he slipped the bolt behind him, +saying: + +"The marshals are after me. We just had a 'run in' at the +Northern, and I'm on the go. No--nothing serious yet, but they +want the Vigilantes, and I must get them word. Will you help me?" +He rapidly recounted the row of the last ten minutes while she +nodded her quick understanding. + +"You're safe here for a little while," she told him, "for the +storm will check them. If they should come, there's a back door +leading out from the kitchen and a side entrance yonder. In my +room you'll find a French window. They can't corner you very +well." + +"Slapjack and Dex are out at the shaft house--you know--that +quartz claim on the mountain above the Midas." He hesitated. "Will +you lend me your saddle-horse? It's a black night and I may kill +him." + +"What about these men in town?" + +"I'll warn them first, then hit for the hills." + +She shook her head. "You can't do it. You can't get out there +before daylight if you wait to rouse these people, and McNamara +has probably telephoned the mines to send a party up to the quartz +claim after Dex. He knows where the old man is as well as you do, +and they'll raid him before dawn." + +"I'm afraid so, but it's all I can offer. Will you give me the +horse?" + +"No! He's only a pony, and you'd founder him in the tundra. The +mud is knee-deep. I'll go myself." + +"Good Heavens, girl, in such a night! Why, it's worth your life! +Listen to it! The creeks will be 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." Then, +coming close, she continued: "Oh, boy! 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 I do love you, oh, so much! I want to be good and +worthy to love you, too." + +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 rain. His heavy brows knit themselves +together as she whispered: + +"I love you! I love you! 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. + +"Things are fearfully 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." + +"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 yourself. 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 innocently, I'm sure of that, in +spite of the fact that she'll marry McNamara. It was she who +overheard 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 insulted her. +That's the kind of a creature I am. I sent her back to Struve, who +offered to tell 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 quickly." He gave her his +message to Dextry, then she went to her room and slipped into a +riding-habit. When she came out he asked: "Where is your raincoat? +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 gun you'll need a good one." He removed 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 +jealousy 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 barn door, streaming and +soaked by the blinding sheets that drove scythe-like ahead of the +wind. He struck a light, and the pony whinnied at recognition of +his mistress. She stroked the little fellow's muzzle while +Glenister cinched on her saddle. Then, when she was at last +mounted, she leaned forward: + +"Will you kiss me once, Roy, for the last time?" + +He took her rain-wet face between his hands and kissed her upon +the lips as he would have saluted a little maid. As he did so, +unseen by both of them, a face was pressed for an instant against +the pane of glass in the stable wall. + +"You're a brave girl and may God bless you," he said, +extinguishing the light. He flung the door wide and she rode out +into the storm. Locking the portal, he plunged back towards the +house to write his hurried note, for there was much to do and +scant time for its accomplishment, despite the helping hand of the +hurricane. He heard the voice of Bering as it thundered on the +Golden Sands, and knew that the first great storm of the fall had +come. Henceforth he saw that the violence of men would rival the +rising elements, for the deeds of this night would stir their +passions as AEolus was rousing the hate of the sea. + +He neglected to bolt the house door as he entered, but flung off +his dripping coat and, seizing pad and pencil, scrawled his +message. The wind screamed about the cabin, the lamp flared +smokily, and Glenister felt a draught suck past him as though from +an open door at his back as he wrote: + +"I can't do anything more. The end has come and it has brought the +hatred and bloodshed that I have been trying to prevent. I played +the game according to your rules, but they forced me back to first +principles in spite of myself, and now I don't know what the +finish will be. To-morrow will tell. Take care of your uncle, and +if you should wish to communicate with me, go to Cherry Malotte. +She is a friend to both of us. + + "Always your servant, ROY GLENISTER." + +As 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 eaves, 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 remembered where his +gun was. Mechanically, he addressed the note in shaking +characters, while behind him sounded the constant drip, drip, drip +that he knew came from saturated garments. For a long moment he +sat, till he heard the stealthy click 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 light clothes wet and clinging, his feet centred in a +spreading puddle. The dim light showed the convulsive fury of his +features above the levelled weapon, whose hammer was curled back +like the head of a striking adder, his eyes gleaming with frenzy. +Glenister's mouth was powder dry, but his mind was leaping +riotously like dust before a gale, for he divined himself to be in +the deadliest peril of his life. When he spoke the calmness of his +voice surprised himself. + +"What's the matter, Bronco?" The Kid made no reply, and Roy +repeated, "What do you want?" + +"That's a hell of a question," the gambler said, hoarsely. "I want +you, of course, and I've got you." + +"Hold up! I am unarmed. This is your third try, and I want to know +what's back of it." + +"DAMN the talk!" cried the faro-dealer, moving closer till the +light shone on his features, which commenced to twitch. He raised +the revolver he had half lowered. "There's reason enough, and you +know it." + +Glenister looked him fairly between the eyes, gripping himself +with firm hands to stop the tremor he felt in his bones. "You +can't kill me," he said. "I am too good a man to murder. You might +shoot a crook, but you can't kill a brave man when he's unarmed. +You're no assassin." He remained rigid in his chair, however, +moving nothing but his lips, meeting the other's look +unflinchingly. The Kid hesitated an instant, while his eyes, which +had been fixed with the glare of hatred, wavered a moment, +betraying the faintest sign of indecision. Glenister cried out, +exultantly: + +"Ha! I knew it. Your neck cords quiver." + +The gambler grimaced. "I can't do it. If I could, I'd have shot +you before you turned. But you'll have to fight, you dog. Get up +and draw." + +Roy refused. "I gave Cherry my gun." + +"Yes, and more too," the man gritted. "I saw it all." + +Even yet Glenister had made no slightest move, realizing that a +feather's weight might snap the gambler's nervous tension and +bring the involuntary twitch that would put him out swifter than a +whip is cracked, + +"I have tried it before, but murder isn't my game." The Kid's eye +caught the glint of Cherry's revolver where she had discarded it. +"There's a gun--get it." + +"It's no good. You'd carry the six bullets and never feel them. I +don't know what this is all about, but I'll fight you whenever I'm +heeled right." + +"Oh, you black-hearted hound," snarled the Kid. "I want to shoot, +but I'm afraid. I used to be a gentleman and I haven't lost it +all, I guess. But I won't wait the next time. I'll down you on +sight, so you'd better get ironed in a hurry." He backed out of +the room into the semi-darkness of the kitchen, watching with +lynx-like closeness the man who sat so quietly under the shaded +light. He felt behind him for the outer door-knob and turned it to +let in a white sheet of rain, then vanished like a storm wraith, +leaving a parched-lipped man and a zigzag trail of water, which +gleamed in the lamplight like a pool of blood. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +WHEREIN A TRAP IS BAITED + + +Glenister did not wait long after his visitor's departure, but +extinguished the light, locked the door, and began the further +adventures of this night. The storm welcomed him with suffocating +violence, sucking the very breath from his lips, while the rain +beat through till his flesh was cold and aching. He thought with a +pang of the girl facing this tempest, going out to meet the +thousand perils of the night. And it remained for him to bear his +part as she bore hers, smilingly. + +The last hour had added another and mysterious danger to his full +measure. Could the Kid be jealous of Cherry? Surely not. Then what +else? + +The tornado had driven his trailers to cover, evidently, for the +streets were given over to its violence, and Roy encountered no +hostile sign as he was buffeted from house to house. He adventured +cautiously and yet with haste, finding certain homes where the +marshals had been before him peopled now only by frightened wives +and children. A scattered few of the Vigilantes had been taken +thus, while the warring elements had prevented their families from +spreading the alarm or venturing out for succor. Those whom he was +able to warn dressed hurriedly, took their rifles, and went out +into the drifting night, leaving empty cabins and weeping women. +The great fight was on. + +Towards daylight the remnants of the Vigilantes straggled into the +big blank warehouse on the sand-spit, and there beneath the +smoking glare of lanterns cursed the name of McNamara. As dawn +grayed the ragged eastern sky-line, Dextry and Slapjack blew in +through the spindrift, bringing word from Cherry and lifting a +load from Glenister's mind. + +"There's a game girl," said the old miner, as he wrung out his +clothes. "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 we hang this 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 developments," the other +cautioned. "There's no telling what may turn up during the day." + +"That's right. Stranglers is like 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 in his chair smoking countless cigars, his big face +set in grim lines, his hard eyes peering through the pall of blue +at those he questioned. He worked the wires of his machine until +his dolls doubled and danced and twisted at his touch. After a +gusty interview he had dismissed Voorhees with a merciless tongue- +lashing, raging bitterly at the man's failure. + +"You're not fit to herd sheep. Thirty men out all night and what +do you get? A dozen mullet-headed miners. You bag the mud-hens and +the big game runs to cover. I wanted Glenister, but you let him +slip through your fingers--now it's war. What a mess you've made! +If I had even ONE helper with a brain the size of a flaxseed, this +game would be a gift, but you've bungled every move from the +start. Bah! Put a spy in the bull-pen with those prisoners and +make them talk. Offer them anything for information. Now get out!" + +He called for a certain deputy and questioned him regarding the +night's quest, remarking, finally: + +"There's treachery somewhere. Those men were warned." + +"Nobody came near Glenister's house except Miss Chester," the man +replied. + +"What?" + +"The Judge's niece. We caught her by mistake in the dark." + +Later, one of the men who had been with Voorhees at the Northern +asked to see the receiver and told him: + +"The chief won't believe that I saw Miss Chester in the dance-hall +last night, but she was there with Glenister. She must have put +him wise to our game or he wouldn't have known we were after him." + +His hearer made no comment, but, when alone, rose and paced the +floor with heavy tread while his face grew savage and brutal. + +"So that's the game, eh? It's man to man from now on. Very well, +Glenister, I'll have your life for that, and then--you'll pay, +Miss Helen." He considered carefully. A plot for a plot. If he +could not swap intrigue with these miners and beat them badly, he +deserved to lose. Now that the girl gave herself to their cause he +would use her again and see how well she answered. Public opinion +would not stand too great a strain, and, although he had acted +within his rights last night, he dared not go much further. +Diplomacy, therefore, must serve. He must force his enemies beyond +the law and into his trap. She had passed the word once; she would +do so again. + +He hurried to Stillman's house and stormed into the presence of +the Judge. He told the story so artfully that the Judge's +astonished unbelief yielded to rage and cowardice, and he sent for +his niece. She came down, white and silent, having heard the loud +voices. The old man berated her with shrewish fury, while McNamara +stood silent. The girl listened with entire self-control until her +uncle made a reference to Glenister that she found intolerable. + +"Hush! I will not listen!" she cried, passionately. "I warned him +because you would have sacrificed him after he had saved our +lives. That is all. He is an honest 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 have riot, bloodshed, and +Heaven knows what. It was to save all this that I wanted to break +up their organization. A week's imprisonment would have done it, +but now they're armed and belligerent and we'll have a battle to- +night." + +"No, no!" she cried. "There mustn't be any violence." + +"There is no use trying to check them. They are rushing to their +own destruction. I have learned that they plan to attack the Midas +to-night, and I'll have fifty soldiers waiting for them there. It +is a shame, for they are decent fellows, blinded by ignorance and +misled by that young miner. This will be the blackest night the +North has ever seen." + +With this McNamara left the house and went in search of Voorhees, +remarking to himself: "Now, Miss Helen--send your warning--the +sooner the better. If I know those Vigilantes, it will set them +crazy, and yet not crazy enough to attack the Midas. They will +strike for me, and when they hit my poor, unguarded office, +they'll think hell has moved North." + +"Mr. Marshal," said he to his tool, "I want you to gather forty +men quietly and to arm them with Winchesters. They must be fellows +who won't faint at blood--you know the kind. Assemble them at my +office after dark, one at a time, by the back way. It must be done +with absolute secrecy. Now, see if you can do this one thing and +not get balled up. If you fail, I'll make you answer to me." + +"Why don't you get the troops?" ventured Voorhees. + +"If there's one thing I want to avoid, it's soldiers, either here +or at the mines. When they step in, we step 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 messenger. It rekindled +her worst fears and bore out McNamara'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 instrument 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. It must not be. She would shriek a warning from +the house-tops even at cost 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 +contained 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 exposure 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 vision of that face +in the curtains at the Northern. It was her brother, yet what +mystery shrouded this affair, also? What kept him from her? What +caused him to slink away like a thief discovered? She grew dizzy +and hysterical. + + Struve turned in his chair as the door to his private office +opened, then leaped to his feet at sight of the gray-eyed girl +standing there. + +"I came for the papers," she said. + +"I knew you would." The blood went out of his cheeks, then surged +back up to his eyes. "It's a bargain, then?" + +She nodded. "Give them to me first." + +He laughed unpleasantly. "What do you take me for? I'll keep my +part of the bargain if you'll keep yours. But this is no place, +nor time. There's riot in the air, and I'm busy preparing for to- +night. Come back to-morrow when it's all over." + +But it was the terror of to-night's doings that led her into his +power. + +"I'll never come back," she said. "It is my whim to know to-day-- +yes, at once." + +He meditated for a time. "Then to-day it shall be. I'll shirk the +fight, I'll sacrifice what shreds of duty have clung to me, +because the fever for you is in my bones, and it seems to me I'd +do murder for it. That's the kind of a man I am, and I have no +pride in myself because of it. But I've always been that way We'll +ride to the Sign of the Sled. It's a romantic little road-house +ten miles from here, perched high above the Snake River trail. +We'll take dinner there together." + +"But the papers?" + +"I'll have them with me. We'll start in an hour." + +"In an hour," she echoed, lifelessly, and left him. + +He chuckled grimly and seized the telephone. "Central--call the +Sled road-house--seven rings on the Snake River branch. Hello! +That you, Shortz? This is Struve. Anybody at the house? Good. Turn +them away if they come and say that you're closed. None of your +business. I'll be out about dark, so have dinner for two. Spread +yourself and keep the place clear. Good-bye." + +Strengthened by Glenister's note, Helen went straight to the other +woman and this time was not kept waiting nor greeted with sneers, +but found Cherry cloaked in a shy dignity, which she clasped +tightly about herself. Under her visitor's incoherence she lost +her diffidence, however, and, when Helen had finished, remarked, +with decision: "Don't go with him. He's a bad man." + +"But I MUST. The blood of those men will be on me if I don't stop +this tragedy. If those papers tell the tale I think they do, I can +call off my uncle and make McNamara give back the mines. You said +Struve told you the whole scheme. Did you see the PROOF?" + +"No, I have only his word, but he spoke of those documents +repeatedly, saying they contained his instructions to tie up the +mines in order to give a foothold for the lawsuits. He bragged +that the rest of the gang were in his power and that he could land +them in the penitentiary for conspiracy. That's all." + +"It's the only chance," said Helen. "They are sending soldiers to +the Midas to lie in ambush, and you must warn the Vigilantes." +Cherry paled at this and ejaculated: + +"Good Lord! Roy said he'd lead an attack to-night." The two stared +at each other. + +"If I succeed with Struve I can stop it all--all of this injustice +and crime--everything." + +"Do you realize what you're risking?" Cherry demanded. "That man +is an animal. You'll have to kill him to save yourself, and he'll +never give up those proofs." + +"Yes, he will," said Helen, fiercely, "and I defy him to harm me. +The Sign of the Sled is a public roadhouse with a landlord, a +telephone, and other guests. Will you warn Mr. Glenister about the +troops?" + +"I will, and bless you for a brave girl. Wait a moment." Cherry +took from the dresser her tiny revolver. "Don't hesitate to use +this. I want you to know also that I'm sorry for what I said +yesterday." + +As she hurried away, Helen realized with a shock the change that +the past few months had wrought in her. In truth, it was as +Glenister had said, his Northland worked strangely with its +denizens. What of that shrinking girl who had stepped out of the +sheltered life, strong only in her untried honesty, to become a +hunted, harried thing, juggling with honor and reputation, in her +heart a half-formed fear that she might kill a man this night to +gain her end? The elements were moulding her with irresistible +hands. Roy's contact with the primitive had not roughened him more +quickly than had hers. + +She met her appointment with Struve, and they rode away together, +he talkative and elated, she silent and icy. + +Late in the afternoon the cloud banks to the eastward 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 Voorhees 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 role 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 soldiers--no, decidedly no. He wished no +help of soldiers at this time. + +The sight of a ship in the offing towards dark caused him some +uneasiness, for, notwithstanding the assurance 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 +them come to-morrow if they would. By that time some of the mines +would be ownerless and his position strengthened a hundredfold. + +He telephoned the mines to throw out guards, although he reasoned +that none but madmen would think of striking there in the face of +the warning which he knew must have been transmitted through +Helen. Putting on his rain-coat he sought Stillman. + +"Bring your niece over to my place to-night. There's trouble in +the air and I'm prepared for it." + +"She hasn't returned from her ride yet. I'm afraid she's caught in +the storm." The Judge gazed anxiously into the darkness. + + During all the long day the Vigilantes lay in hiding, impatient +at their idleness and wondering at the lack of effort made towards +their discovery, not dreaming that McNamara had more cleverly +hidden plans behind. When Cherry's note of warning came they +gathered in the back room and gave voice to their opinions. + +"There's only one way to clear the atmosphere," said the chairman. + +"You bet," chorussed the others. "They've garrisoned the mines, so +let's go through the town and make a clean job of it. Let's hang +the whole outfit to one post." + +This met with general approval, Glenister alone demurring. Said +he: "I have reasoned it out differently, and I want you to hear me +through before deciding. Last night I got word from Wheaton that +the California courts are against us. He attributes it to +influence, but, whatever the reason, we are cut off from all legal +help either in this court or on appeal. Now, suppose we lynch +these officials to-night--what do we gain? Martial law in two +hours, our mines tied up for another year, and who knows what +else? Maybe a corrupter court next season. Suppose, on the other +hand, we fail--and somehow I feel that we will, for that boss is +no fool. What then? Those of us who don't find the morgue will end +in jail. You say we can't meet the soldiers. I say we can and +must. We must carry this row to them. We must jump it past the +courts of Alaska, past the courts of California, and up to the +White House, where there's one honest man, at least. We must do +something to wake up the men in Washington. We must get out of +politics, for McNamara can beat us there. Although he's a strong +man he can't corrupt the President. We have one shot left, and it +must reach the Potomac. When Uncle Sam takes a hand we'll get a +square deal, so I say let us strike at the Midas to-night and take +her if we can. Some of us will go down, but what of it?" + +Following this harangue, he outlined a plan which in its unique +daring took away their breaths, and as he filled in detail after +detail they brightened with excitement and that love of the long +chance which makes gamblers of those who thread the silent valleys +or tread the edge of things. His boldness stirred them and +enthusiasm did the rest. + +"All I want for myself," he said, "is the chance to run the big +risk. It's mine by right." + +Dextry spoke, breathlessly, to Slapjack in the pause which ensued: + +"Ain't he a heller?" + +"We'll go you," the miners chimed to a man. And the chairman +added: "Let's have Glenister lead this forlorn hope. I am willing +to stand or fall on his judgment." They acquiesced without a +dissenting voice and with the firm hands of a natural leader the +young man took control. + +"Let's hurry up," said one. "It's a long 'mush' and the mud is +knee-deep." + +"No walking for us," said Roy. "We'll go by train." + +"By train? How can we get a train?" + +"Steal it," he answered, at which Dextry grinned delightedly at +his loose-jointed companion, and Slapjack showed his toothless +gums in answer, saying: + +"He sure is." + +A few more words and Glenister, accompanied by these two, slipped +out into the whirling storm, and a half-hour later the rest +followed. One by one the Vigilantes left, the blackness blotting +them up an arm's-length from the door, till at last the big, bleak +warehouse echoed hollowly to the voice of the wind and water. + +Over in the eastern end of town, behind dark windows upon which +the sheeted rain beat furiously, other armed men lay patiently +waiting--waiting some word from the bulky shadow which stood with +folded arms close against a square of gray, while over their heads +a wretched old man paced back and forth, wringing his hands, +pausing at every turn to peer out into the night and to mumble the +name of his sister's child. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +DYNAMITE + + +Early in the evening Cherry Malotte opened her door to find the +Bronco Kid on her step. He entered and threw off his rubber coat. +Knowing him well, she waited for his disclosure of his errand. His +sallow skin was without trace of color, his eyes were strangely +tired, deep lines had gathered about his lips, while his hands +kept up constant little nervous explorations as though for days +and nights he had not slept and now hovered on the verge of some +hysteria. He gave her the impression of a smouldering mine with +the fire eating close up to the powder. She judged that his body +had been racked by every passion till now it hung jaded and weary, +yielding only to the spur of his restless, revengeful spirit. + +After a few objectless remarks, he began, abruptly: + +"Do you love Roy Glenister?" His voice, like his manner, was +jealously eager, and he watched her carefully as she replied, +without quibble or deceit: + +"Yes, Kid; and I always shall. He is the only true man I have ever +known, and I'm not ashamed of my feelings." + +For a long time he studied her, and then broke into rapid speech, +allowing her no time for interruption. + +"I've held back and held back because I'm no talker. I can't be, +in my business; but this is my last chance, and I want to put +myself right with you. I've loved you ever since the Dawson days, +not in the way you'd expect from a man of my sort, perhaps, but +with the kind of love that a woman wants. I never showed my hand, +for what was the use? That man outheld me. I'd have quit faro +years back only I wouldn't leave this country as long as you were +a part of it, and up here I'm only a gambler, fit for nothing +else. I'd made up my mind to let you have him till something +happened a couple of months ago, but now it can't go through. I'll +have to down him. It isn't concerning you--I'm not a welcher. No, +it's a thing I can't talk about, a thing that's made me into a +wolf, made me skulk and walk the alleys like a dago. It's put +murder into my heart. I've tried to assassinate him. I tried it +here last night--but--I was a gentleman once--till the cards came. +He knows the answer now, though, and he's ready for me--so one of +us will go out like a candle when we meet. I felt that I had to +tell you before I cut him down or before he got me." + +"You're talking like a madman, Kid," she replied, "and you mustn't +turn against him now. He has troubles enough. I never knew you +cared for me. What a tangle it is, to be sure. You love me, I love +him, he loves that girl, and she loves a crook. Isn't that tragedy +enough without your adding to it? You come at a bad time, too, for +I'm half insane. There's something dreadful in the air to-night--" + +"I'll have to kill him," the man muttered, doggedly, and, plead or +reason as she would, she could get nothing from him except those +words, till at last she turned upon him fiercely. + +"You say you love me. Very well--let's see if you do. I know the +kind of a man you are and I know what this feud will mean to him, +coming just at this time. Put it aside and I'll marry you." + +The gambler rose slowly to his feet. "You do love him, don't you?" +She bowed her face, and he winced, but continued: "I wouldn't make +you my wife that way. I didn't mean it that way." + +At this she laughed bitterly, "Oh, I see. Of course not. How +foolish of me to expect it of a man like you. I understand what +you mean now, and the bargain will stand just the same, if that is +what you came for. I wanted to leave this life and be good, to go +away and start over and play the game square, but I see it's no +use. I'll pay. I know how relentless you are, and the price is low +enough. You can have me--and that--marriage talk--I'll not speak +of again. I'll stay what I am for his sake." + +"Stop!" cried the Kid. "You're wrong. I'm not that kind of a +sport." His voice broke suddenly, its vehemence shaking his slim +body. "Oh, Cherry, I love you the way a man ought to love a woman. +It's one of the two good things left in me, and I want to take you +away from here where we can both hide from the past, where we can +start new, as you say." + +"You would marry me?" she asked. + +"In an hour, and give my heart's blood for the privilege; but I +can't stop this thing, not even if your own dear life hung upon +it. I MUST kill that man." + +She approached him and laid her arms about his neck, every line of +her body pleading, but he refused steadfastly, while the sweat +stood out upon his brow. + +She begged: "They're all against him, Kid. He's fighting a +hopeless fight. He laid all he had at that girl's feet, and I'll +do the same for you." + +The man growled savagely. "He got his reward. He took all she had- +-" + +"Don't be a fool. I guess I know. You're a faro-dealer, but you +haven't any right to talk like that about a good woman, even to a +bad one like me." + +Into his dark eyes slowly crept a hungry look, and she felt him +begin to tremble the least bit. He undertook to speak, paused, wet +his lips, then carefully chose these words: + +"Do you mean--that he did not--that she is--a good girl?" + +"Absolutely." + +He sat down weakly and passed a shaking hand over his face, which +had begun to twitch and jerk again as it had on that night when +his vengeance was thwarted. + +"I may as well tell you that I know she's more than that. She's +honest and high-principled. I don't know why I'm 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." + +"Struve!" shouted the gambler, leaping to his feet. "Alone with +Struve on a night like this?" He shook her fiercely, crying: "What +for? Tell me quick!" + +She recounted the reasons for Helen's adventure, while the man's +face became terrible. + +"Oh, Kid, I am to blame for letting her go. Why did I do it? I'm +afraid--afraid." + +"The Sign of the Sled belongs to Struve, and the fellow who runs +it is a rogue." The Bronco looked at the clock, his eyes bloodshot +and dull like those of a goaded, fly-maddened bull. "It's eight +o'clock now--ten miles--two hours. Too late!" + +"What ails you?" she questioned, baffled by his strange demeanor. +"You called ME the one woman just now, and yet--" + +He swung towards her heavily. "She's my sister." + +"Your--sister? Oh, I--I'm glad. I'm glad--but don't stand there +like a wooden man, for you've work to do. Wake up. Can't you hear? +She's in peril!" Her words whipped him out of his stupor so that +he drew himself somewhat under control. "Get into your coat. +Hurry! Hurry! My pony will take you there." She snatched his +garment from the chair and held it for him while the life ran back +into his veins. Together they dashed out into the storm as she and +Roy had done, and as he flung the saddle on the buckskin, she +said: + +"I understand it all now. You heard the talk about her and +Glenister; but it's wrong. I lied and schemed and intrigued +against her, but it's over now. I guess there's a little streak of +good in me somewhere, after all." + +He spoke to her from the saddle. "It's more than a streak, Cherry, +and you're my kind of people." She smiled wanly back at him under +the lantern-light. + +"That's left-handed, Kid. I don't want to be your kind. I want to +be his kind--or your sister's kind." + +Upon leaving the rendezvous, Glenister and his two friends slunk +through the night, avoiding the life and lights of the town, while +the wind surged out of the voids to seaward, driving its wet +burden through their flapping slickers, 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 mountains and the mines. Upon +this slender trail of steel there rolled one small, ungainly +teapot of an engine which daily creaked and clanked back and forth +at a snail's pace, screaming and wailing its complaint of the two +high-loaded flat-cars behind. The ties beneath it were spiked to +planks laid lengthwise over the semi-liquid 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. + +Early to bed and early to rise was perforce the motto of its grimy +crew, who lived 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 be 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. + +The fireman arose from his chair, dropping an empty shoe with a +thump, but, being of the West, without cavil or waste of wind, he +stretched his hands above his head, balancing on one foot to keep +his unshod member from the damp floor. He had unbuckled his belt, +and now, loosened by the movement, his overalls seemed bent on +sinking floorward in an ecstasy of abashment at the intrusion, +whereupon with convulsive grip he hugged them to their duty, one +hand and foot still elevated as though in the grand hailing-sign +of some secret order. The other man was new to the ways of the +North, so backed to the limit of his quarters, laid both hands +protectingly upon his middle, and doubled up, remarking, fervidly: + +"Don't point that damn thing at my stomach." + +"Ha, ha!" laughed the fireman, with unnatural loudness. "Have your +joke boys." + +"This ain't no joke," said the foremost figure, its breath +bellying out the mask at its mouth. + +"Sure it is," insisted the shoeless one. "Must be--we ain't got +anything worth stealing." + +"Get into your clothes and come along. We won't hurt you." The two +obeyed and were taken to the sleeping engine and there instructed +to produce a full head of steam in thirty minutes or suffer a +premature taking off and a prompt elision from the realms of +applied mechanics. As stimulus to their efforts two of the men +stood over them till the engine began to sob and sigh reluctantly. +Through the gloom that curtained the cab they saw other dim forms +materializing and climbing silently on to the cars behind; then, +as the steam-gauge touched the mark, the word was given and the +train rumbled out from its shelter, its shrill plaint at curb and +crossing whipped away and drowned in the storm. + +Slapjack remained in the cab, gun in lap, while Dextry climbed +back to Glenister. He found the young man in good spirits, despite +the discomfort of his exposed position, and striving to light 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 river 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 +murmur 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 myself." + +"Awful wet night for philosophy," the first remarked. "It's apt to +sour on you like 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 till 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 fellow owes to himself, and to other people, if +he'll only stop and think them out. I've found out, too, that the +right thing is usually the hardest to do. Oh, I've improved a +lot." + +"Gee! but you're popular with yourself. I don't see as it helps +your looks any. You're as homely as ever--an' what good does it do +you after all? She'll marry that big guy." + +"I know. That's what rankles, for he's no more worthy of her than +I am. She'll do what's right, however, you may depend upon that, +and perhaps she'll change him the way she did me. Why, she worked +a miracle in my attitude towards life--my manner--" + +"Oh, your manners are good enough as they lay," interrupted the +other. "You never did eat with your knife." + +"I don't believe in hara-kiri," Glenister laughed. + +"No, when it comes to intimacies with decorum, you're right on the +job along with any of them Easterners. I watched you close at them +'Frisco hotels last winter, and, say--you know as much as a horse. +Why, you was wise to them tablewares and pickle-forks equal to a +head-waiter, and it give me confidence just to be with you. I +remember putting milk and sugar in my consomme the first time. It +was pale and in a cup and looked like tea--but not you. No, sir! +You savvied plenty and squeezed a lemon into yours--to clean your +fingers, I reckon." + +Roy slapped his partner's wet back, for he was buoyant and elated. +The sense of nearing danger pulsed through him like wine. "That +wasn't just what I meant, but it goes. Say, if we win back our +mine, we'll hit for New York next--eh?" + +"No, I don't aim to mingle with no higher civilization than I got +in 'Frisco. I use that word 'higher' like it was applied to meat. +Not that I wouldn't seem apropos, I'm stylish enough for Fifth +Avenue or anywheres, but I like the West. Speakin' of modes an' +styles, when I get all lit up in that gray woosted suit of mine, I +guess I make the jaded sight-seers set up an' take notice--eh? +Somethin' doin' every minute in the cranin' of necks--what? +Nothin' gaudy, but the acme of neatness an' form, as the feller +said who sold it to me." + +Their common peril brought the friends together again, into that +close bond which had been theirs without interruption until this +recent change in the younger had led him to choose paths at +variance with the old man's ideas; and now they spoke, heart to +heart, in the half-serious, half-jesting ways of old, while +beneath each whimsical irony was that mutual love and +understanding which had consecrated their partnership. + +Arriving at the end of the road, the Vigilantes debouched and went +into the darkness of the canon behind their leader, to whom the +trails were familiar. He bade them pause finally, and gave his +last instructions. + +"They are on the alert, so you want to be careful. Divide into two +parties and close in from both sides, creeping as near to the +pickets as possible without discovery. Remember to wait for the +last blast. When it comes, cut loose and charge like Sioux. Don't +shoot to kill at first, for they're only soldiers and under +orders, but if they stand--well, every man must do his work." + +Dextry appealed to the dim figures forming the circle. + +"I leave it to you, gents, if it ain't better for me to go inside +than for the boy. I've had more experience with giant powder, an' +I'm so blamed used up an' near gone it wouldn't hurt if they did +get me, while he's right in his prime--" + +Glenister stopped him. "I won't yield the privilege. Come now--to +your places, men." + +They melted away to each side while the old prospector paused to +wring his partner's hand. + +"I'd ruther it was me, lad, but if they get you--God help 'em!" He +stumbled after the departing shadows, leaving Roy alone. With his +naked fingers, Glenister ripped open the powder cases and secreted +the contents upon his person. Each cartridge held dynamite enough +to devastate a village, and he loaded them inside his pockets, +inside his shirt, and everywhere that he had room, till he was +burdened and cased in an armor one-hundredth part of which could +have blown him from the face of the earth so utterly as to leave +no trace except, perhaps, a pit ripped out of the mountain-side. +He looked to his fuses and saw that they were wrapped in oiled +paper, then placed them in his hat. Having finished, he set out, +walking with difficulty under the weight he carried. + +That his choice of location had been well made was evidenced by +the fact that the ground beneath his feet sloped away to a basin +out of which bubbled a spring. It furnished the drinking supply of +the Midas, and he knew every inch 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 clothes handicapped him so that his +gait was slow and awkward, while the rain had swelled the +streamlet till it trickled over his calves and up to his wrists, +chilling him so that his muscles cramped and his very bones cried +out with it. The sharp schist cut into his palms till they were +shredded and bleeding, while his knees found every jagged bit of +bed-rock over which he dragged himself. He could not see an arm's- +length ahead without rising, and, having removed his slicker for +greater freedom of movement, the rain beat upon his back till he +was soaked and sodden and felt streamlets cleaving downward +between his ribs. Now and again he squatted upon his haunches, +straining his eyes to either side. The banks were barely high +enough to shield him. At last he came to a bridge of planks +spanning the ditch and was about to rear himself for another look +when he suddenly flattened into the stream bed, half damming the +waters with his body. It was for this he had so carefully wrapped +his fuses. A man passed over him so close above that he might have +touched him. The sentry paused a few paces beyond and accosted +another, then retraced his steps over the bridge. Evidently this +was the picket-line, so Roy wormed his way forward till he saw the +blacker blackness of the mine buildings, then drew himself +dripping out from the bank. He had run the gauntlet safely. + +Since evicting the owners, the receiver had erected substantial +houses in place of the tents he had found on the mine. They were +of frame and corrugated-iron, sheathed within and suited to +withstand a moderate exposure. The partners had witnessed the +operation from a distance, but knew nothing about the buildings +from close examination. + +A thrill of affection for this place wanned the young man. He +loved this old mine. It had realized the dream of his boyhood, and +had answered the hope he had clung to during his long fight +against the Northland. It had come to him when he was +disheartened, bringing cheer and happiness, and had yielded itself +like a bride. Now it seemed a crime to ravage it. + +He crept towards the nearest wall and listened. Within was the +sound of voices, though the windows were dark, showing that the +inhabitants were on the alert. Beneath the foundations he made +mysterious preparations, then sought out the office building and +cook-house, doing likewise. He found that back of the seeming +repose of the Midas there was a strained expectancy. + +Although suspense had lengthened the time out of all calculation, +he judged he had been gone from his companions at least an hour +and that they must be in place by now. If they were not--if +anything failed at this eleventh hour--well, those were the +fortunes of war. In every enterprise, however carefully planned, +there comes a time when chance must take its turn. + +He made his way inside the blacksmith-shop and fumbled for a +match. Just as he was about to strike it he heard the swish of +oiled clothes passing, and waited for some time. Then, igniting +his punk and hiding it under his coat, he opened the door to +listen. The wind had died down now and the rain sang musically +upon the metal roofs. + +He ran swiftly from house to house, and, when he had done, at the +apices of the triangle he had traced three glowing coals were +sputtering. + +The final bolt was launched at last. He stepped down into the +ditch and drew his .45, while to his tautened senses it seemed +that the very hills leaned forth in breathless pause, that the +rain had ceased, and the whole night hushed its thousand voices. +He found his lower jaw set so stiffly that the muscles ached. +Levelling his weapon at the eaves of the bunk-house, he pulled +trigger rapidly--the bang, bang, bang, six times repeated, +sounding dull and dead beneath the blanket of mist that overhung. +A shout sounded behind him, and then the shriek of a Winchester +ball close over his head. He turned in time to see another shot +stream out of the darkness, where a sentry was firing at the flash +of his gun, then bent himself double and plunged down the ditch. + +With the first impact overhead the men poured forth from their +quarters armed and bristling, to be greeted by a volley of +gunshots, the thud of bullets, and the dwindling whine of spent +lead. They leaped from shelter to find themselves girt with a +fitful hoop of fire, for the "Stranglers" had spread in the arc of +a circle and now emptied their rifles towards the centre. The +defenders, however, maintained surprising order considering the +suddenness of their attack, and ran to join the sentries, whose +positions could be determined by the nearer flashes. The voice of +a man in authority shouted loud commands. No demonstration came +from the outer voids, nothing but the wicked streaks that stabbed +the darkness. Then suddenly, behind McNamara's men, the night +glared luridly as though a great furnace-door had opened and then +clanged shut, while with it came a hoarse thudding roar that +silenced the rifle play. They saw the cook-house disrupt itself +and disintegrate into a thousand flying timbers and twisted sheets +of tin which soared upward and outward over their heads and into +the night. As the rocking hills ceased echoing, the sound of the +Vigilantes' rifles recurred like the cracking of dry sticks, then +everywhere about the defenders the earth was lashed by falling +debris while the iron roofs rang at the fusillade. + +The blast had come at their very elbows, and they were too dazed +and shaken by it to grasp its significance. Then, before they +could realize what it boded, the depths lit up again till the +raindrops were outlined distinct and glistening like a gossamer +veil of silver, while the office building to their left was ripped +and rended and the adjoining walls leaped out into sudden relief, +their shattered windows looking like ghostly, sightless eyes. The +curtain of darkness closed heavier than velvet, and the men +cowered in their tracks, shielding themselves behind the nearest +objects or behind one another's bodies, waiting for the sky to +vomit over them its rain of missiles. Their backs were to the +Vigilantes now, their faces to the centre. Many had dropped their +rifles. The thunder of hoofs and the scream of terrified horses +came from the stables. The cry of a maddened beast is weird and +calculated to curdle the blood at best, but with it arose a human +voice, shrieking from pain and fear of death. A wrenched and +doubled mass of zinc had hurtled out of the heavens and struck +some one down. The choking hoarseness of the man's appeal told the +story, and those about him broke into flight to escape what might +follow, to escape this danger they could not see but which swooped +out of the blackness above and against which there was no defence. +They fled only to witness another and greater light behind them by +which they saw themselves running, falling, grovelling. This time +they were hurled from their balance by a concussion which dwarfed +the two preceding ones. Some few stood still, staring at the +rolling smoke-bank as it was revealed by the explosion, their eyes +gleaming white, while others buried their faces in their hollowed +arms as if to shut out the hellish glare, or to shield themselves +from a blow. + +Out in the heart of the chaos rang a voice loud and clear: + +"Beware the next blast!" + +At the same instant the girdle of sharp-shooters rose up smiting +the air with their cries and charged in like madmen through the +rain of detritus. They fired as they came, but it was unnecessary, +for there was no longer a fight. It was a rout. The defenders, +feeling they had escaped destruction only by a happy chance in +leaving the bunk-house the instant they did, were not minded to +tarry here where the heavens fell upon their heads. To augment +their consternation, the horses had broken from their stalls and +were plunging through the confusion. Fear swept over the men-- +blind, unreasoning, contagious--and they rushed out into the +night, colliding with their enemies, overrunning them in the panic +to quit this spot. Some dashed off the bluff and fell among the +pits and sluices. Others ran up the mountain-side, and cowered in +the brush like quail. + +As the "Stranglers" assembled their prisoners near the ruins, they +heard wounded men moaning in the darkness, so lit torches and +searched out the stricken ones. Glenister came running through the +smoke pall, revolver in hand, crying: "Has any one seen McNamara?" +No one had, and when they were later assembled to take stock of +their injuries he was greeted by Dextry's gleeful announcement: + +"That's the deuce of a fight. We 'ain't got so much as a cold sore +among us." + +"We have captured fourteen," another announced, "and there may be +more out yonder in the brush." + +Glenister noted with growing surprise that not one of the +prisoners lined up beneath the glaring torches wore the army blue. +They were miners all, or thugs and ruffians gathered from the +camp. Where, he wondered, were the soldiers. + +"Didn't you have troops from the barracks to help you?" he asked. + +"Not a troop. We haven't seen a soldier since we went to work." + +At this the young leader became alarmed. Had this whole attack +miscarried? Had this been no clash with the United States forces, +after all? If so, the news would never reach Washington, and +instead of accomplishing his end, he and his friends had thrust +themselves into the realms of outlawry, where the soldiers could +be employed against them with impunity, where prices would rest +upon their heads. Innocent blood had been shed, court property +destroyed. McNamara had them where he wanted them at last. They +were at bay. + +The unwounded prisoners were taken to the boundaries of the Midas +and released with such warnings as the imagination of Dextry could +conjure up; then Glenister assembled his men, speaking to them +plainly. + +"Boys, this is no victory. In fact, we're worse off than we were +before, and our biggest fight is coming. There's a chance to get +away now before daylight and before we're recognized, but if we're +seen here at sun-up we'll 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 will be a different kind +of fighting now, though. It will be warfare pure and simple. How +many of you will stick?" + +"All of us," said they, in unison, and, accordingly, preparations +for a siege were begun. Barricades were built, ruins removed, +buildings transformed into blockhouses, and all through the +turbulent night the tired men labored till ready to drop, led +always by the young 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 telephone--says it's +life or death." + +Glenister hurried to the building, which had escaped the shock of +the explosions, and, taking down the receiver, was answered by +Cherry Malotte. + +"Thank God, you're safe," 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 has been! I haven't been to +bed. I'm going mad. Now, listen, carefully--yesterday Helen went +with Struve to the Sign of the Sled and she hasn't come back." + +The man at the end of the wire cried out at this, 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--something dreadful +has happened, I know." + +"What made her go?" he shouted. + +"To save you," came Cherry's faint reply. "If you love her, ride +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 right a wrong--and--I'm afraid +of what has happened 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. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +IN WHICH THREE GO TO THE SIGN OF THE SLED AND BUT TWO RETURN + + +As Helen and her companion ascended the mountain, scarred and +swept by the tempest of the previous night, they heard, far below, +the swollen torrent brawling in its bowlder-ridden bed, while +behind them the angry ocean spread southward to a blood-red +horizon. Ahead, the bleak mountains brooded over forbidding +valleys; to the west a suffused sun glared sullenly, painting the +high-piled clouds with the gorgeous hues of a stormy sunset. To +Helen the wild scene seemed dyed with the colors of flame and +blood and steel. + +"That rain raised the deuce with the trails," said Struve, as they +picked their way past an unsightly "slip" whence a part of the +overhanging mountain, loosened by the deluge, had slid into the +gulch. "Another storm like that would wash out these roads +completely." + +Even in the daylight it was no easy task to avoid these danger +spots, for the horses floundered on the muddy soil. Vaguely the +girl wondered how she would find her way back in the darkness, as +she had planned. She said little as they approached the road- +house, for the thoughts within her brain had begun to clamor too +wildly; but Struve, more arrogant than ever before, more +terrifyingly sure of himself, was loudly garrulous. As they drew +nearer and nearer, the dread that possessed the girl became of +paralyzing intensity. If she should fail--but she vowed she would +not, could not, fail. + +They rounded a bend and saw the Sign of the Sled cradled below +them where the trail dipped to a stream which tumbled from the +comb above into the river twisting like a silver thread through +the distant valley. A peeled flag-pole topped by a spruce bough +stood in front of the tavern, while over the door hung a sled +suspended from a beam. The house itself was a quaint structure, +rambling and amorphous, from whose sod roof sprang blooming +flowers, and whose high-banked walls were pierced here and there +with sleepy windows. It had been built by a homesick foreigner of +unknown nationality whom the army of "mushers" who paid for his +clean and orderly hospitality had dubbed duly and as a matter of +course a "Swede." When travel had changed to the river trail, +leaving the house lonesome and high as though left by a receding +wave, Struve had taken it over on a debt, and now ran it for the +convenience of a slender traffic, mainly stampeders, who chose the +higher route towards the interior. His hireling spent the idle +hours in prospecting a hungry quartz lead and in doing assessment +work on near-by claims. + +Shortz took the horses and answered his employer's questions +curtly, flashing a curious look at Helen. Under other conditions +the girl would have been delighted with the place, for this was +the quaintest spot she had found in the north country. The main +room held bar and gold-scales, a rude table, and a huge iron +heater, while its walls and ceiling were sheeted with white cloth +so cunningly stitched and tacked that it seemed a cavern hollowed +from chalk. It was filled with trophies of the hills, stuffed +birds and animals, skins and antlers, from which depended, in +careless confusion, dog harness, snow-shoes, guns, and articles of +clothing. A door to the left led into the bunk-room where +travellers had been wont to sleep in tiers three deep. To the rear +was a kitchen and cache, to the right a compartment which Struve +called the art gallery. Here, free reign had been allowed the +original owner's artistic fancies, and he had covered the place +with pictures clipped from gazettes of questionable repute till it +was a bewildering arrangement of pink ladies in tights, pugilists +in scanty trunks, prize bulldogs, and other less moral characters +of the sporting world. + +"This is probably the worst company you were ever in," Struve +observed to Helen, with a forced attempt at lightness. + +"Are there no guests here?" she asked him, her anxiety very near +the surface. + +"Travel is light at this time of the year. They'll come in later, +perhaps." + +A fire was burning in this pink room where the landlord had begun +spreading the table for two, and its warmth was grateful to the +girl. Her companion, thoroughly at his ease, stretched himself on +a fur-covered couch and smoked. + +"Let me see the papers, now, Mr. Struve," she began, but he put +her off. + +"No, not now. Business must wait on our dinner. Don't spoil our +little party, for there's time enough and to spare." + +She arose and went to the window, unable to sit still. Looking +down the narrow gulch she saw that the mountains beyond were +indistinct for it was growing dark rapidly. Dense clouds had +rolled up from the east. A rain-drop struck the glass before her +eyes, then another and another, and the hills grew misty behind +the coming shower. A traveller with a pack on his back hurried +around the corner of the building and past her to the door. At his +knock, Struve, who had been watching Helen through half-shut eyes, +arose and went into the other room. + +"Thank Heaven, some one has come," she thought. The voices were +deadened to a hum by the sod walls, till that of the stranger +raised itself in such indignant protest that she distinguished his +words. + +"Oh, I've got money to pay my way. I'm no dead-head." + +Shortz mumbled something back. + +"I don't care if you are closed. I'm tired and there's a storm +coming." + +This time she heard the landlord's refusal and the miner's angry +profanity. A moment later she saw the traveller plodding up the +trail towards town. + +"What does that mean?" she inquired, as the lawyer re-entered. + +"Oh, that fellow is a tough, and Shortz wouldn't let him in. 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 uneasiness increased. She half +listened to the stories with which Struve tried to entertain her +and ate little of the excellent meal that was shortly served to +them. Struve, meanwhile, ate and drank almost greedily, and the +shadowy, sinister evening crept along. A strange cowardice had +suddenly overtaken the girl; and if, at this late hour, she could +have withdrawn, she would have done so gladly and gone forth to +meet the violence of the tempest. But she had gone too far for +retreat; and realizing that, for the present, apparent compliance +was her wisest resource, she sat quiet, answering the man with +cool words while his eyes grew brighter, his skin more flushed, +his speech more rapid. He talked incessantly and with feverish +gayety, smoking numberless cigarettes and apparently unconscious +of the flight of time. At last he broke off suddenly and consulted +his watch, while Helen remembered that she had not heard Shortz in +the kitchen for a long time. Suddenly Struve smiled on her +peculiarly, with confident cunning. As he leered at her over the +disorder between them he took from his pocket a flat bundle which +he tossed to her. + +"Now for the bargain, eh?" + +"Ask the man to remove these dishes," she said, as she undid the +parcel with clumsy fingers. + +"I sent him away two hours ago," said Struve, arising as if to +come to her. She shrank back, but he only leaned across, gathered +up the four corners of the tablecloth, and, twisting them +together, carried the whole thing out, the dishes crashing and +jangling as he threw his burden recklessly into the kitchen. Then +he returned and stood with his back to the stove, staring at her +while she perused the contents of the papers, which were more +voluminous than she had supposed. + +For a long time the girl pored over the documents. The purport of +the papers was only too obvious; and, as she read, the proof of +her uncle's guilt stood out clear and damning. There was no +possibility of mistake; the whole wretched plot stood out plain, +its darkest infamies revealed. + +In spite of the cruelty of her disillusionment, Helen was +nevertheless exalted with the fierce ecstasy of power, with the +knowledge that justice would at last be rendered. It would be her +triumph and her expiation that she, who had been the unwitting +tool of this miserable clique, would be the one through whom +restitution was made. She arose with her eyes gleaming and her +lips set. + +"It is here." + +"Of course it is. Enough to convict us all. It means the +penitentiary for your precious uncle and your lover." He stretched +his chin upward at the mention as though to free his throat from +an invisible clutch. "Yes, your lover particularly, for he's the +real one. That's why I brought you here. He'll marry you, but I'll +be the best man." The timbre of his voice was unpleasant. + +"Come, let us go," she said. + +"Go," he chuckled, mirthlessly. "That's a fine example of +unconscious humor." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Well, first, no human being could find his way down to the coast +in this tempest; second--but, by-the-way, let me explain something +in those papers while I think of it." He spoke casually and +stepped forward, reaching for the package, which she was about to +give up, when something prompted her to snatch it behind her back; +and it was well she did, for his hand was but a few inches away. +He was no match for her quickness, however, and she glided around +the table, thrusting the papers into the front of her dress. The +sudden contact with Cherry's revolver gave her a certain comfort. +She spoke now with determination. + +"I intend to leave here at once. Will you bring my horse? Very +well, I shall do it myself." + +She turned, but his indolence vanished like a flash, and springing +in front of the door he barred her way. + +"Hold on, my lady. You ought to understand without my saying any +more. Why did I bring you here? Why did I plan this little party? +Why did I send that man away? Just to give you the proof of my +complicity in a crime, I suppose. Well, hardly. You won't leave +here to-night. And when you do, you won't carry those papers--my +own safety depends on that and I am selfish, so don't get me +started. Listen!" They caught the wail of the night crying as +though hungry for sacrifice. "No, you'll stay here 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 instrument loose from the wall, raised it above +his head, dashed it upon the floor, and sprang towards her, but +she wrenched herself free and fled across the room. The man's +white hair was wildly tumbled, his face was purple, and his neck +and throat showed swollen, throbbing veins. He stood still, +however, and his lips cracked into his ever-present, cautious +smile. + +"Now, don't let's fight about this. It's no use, for I've played +to win. You have your proof--now I'll have my price--or else I'll +take it. Think over which it will be, while I lock up." + +Far down the mountain-side a man was urging a broken pony +recklessly along the trail. The beast was blown and spent, its +knees weak and bending, yet the rider forced it as though behind +him yelled a thousand devils, spurring headlong through gully and +ford, up steep slopes and down invisible ravines. Sometimes the +animal stumbled and fell with its master, sometimes they arose +together, but the man was heedless of all except his haste, +insensible to the rain which smote him blindingly, and to the wind +which seized him savagely upon the ridges, or gasped at him in the +gullies with exhausted malice. At last he gained the plateau and +saw the road-house light beneath, so drove his heels into the +flanks of the wind-broken creature, which lunged forward gamely. +He felt the pony rear and drop away beneath him, pawing and +scrambling, and instinctively kicked his feet free from the +stirrups, striving to throw himself out of the saddle and clear of +the thrashing hoofs. It seemed that he turned over in the air +before something smote him and he lay still, his gaunt, dark face +upturned to the rain, while about him the storm screamed +exultantly. + +The moment Struve disappeared into the outer room Helen darted to +the window. It was merely a single sash, nailed fast and +immovable, but seizing one of the little stools beside the stove +she thrust it through the glass, letting in a smother of wind and +water. Before she could escape, Struve bounded into the room, his +face livid with anger, his voice hoarse and furious. + +But as he began to denounce her he paused in amazement, for the +girl had drawn Cherry's weapon and levelled it at him. She was +very pale and her breast heaved as from a swift run, while her +wondrous gray eyes were lit with a light no man had ever seen +there before, glowing like two jewels whose hearts contained the +pent-up passion of centuries. She had altered as though under the +deft hand of a master-sculptor, her nostrils growing thin and +arched, her lips tight pressed and pitiless, her head poised +proudly. The rain drove in through the shattered window, over and +past her, while the cheap red curtain lashed and whipped her as +though in gleeful applause. Her bitter abhorrence of the man made +her voice sound strangely unnatural as she commanded: + +"Don't dare to stop me." She moved towards the door, motioning him +to retreat before her, and he obeyed, recognizing the danger of +her coolness. She did not note the calculating treachery of his +glance, however, nor fathom the purposes he had in mind. + + Out on the rain-swept mountain the prostrate rider had regained +his senses and now was crawling painfully towards the road-house. +Seen through the dark he would have resembled some misshapen, +creeping monster, for he dragged himself, reptile-like, close to +the ground. But as he came closer the man heard a cry which the +wind seemed guarding from his ear, and, hearing it, he rose and +rushed blindly forward, staggering like a wounded beast. + +Helen watched her captive closely as he backed through the door +before her, for she dared not lose sight of him until free. The +middle room was lighted by a glass lamp on the bar and its rays +showed that the front-door was secured by a large iron bolt. She +thanked Heaven there was no lock and key. + +Struve had retreated until his back was to the counter, offering +no word, making no move, but the darting brightness of his eyes +showed that he was alert and planning. But when the door behind +Helen, urged by the wind through the broken casement, banged to, +the man made his first lightning-like sign. He dashed the lamp to +the floor, where it burst like an eggshell, and darkness leaped +into the room as an animal pounces. Had she been calmer or had +time for an instant's thought Helen would have hastened back to +the light, but she 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 darkness 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 desperation. 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 turned 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 blackness, Strove holding her like a gorilla +till she grew faint and her head began to whirl, while darting +lights drove past her eyes and there was the roar of a cataract in +her ears. She was a strong girl, and her ripe young body, untried +until this moment, answered in every 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 inner +door. This gave way, and at the same moment the man's strength +departed as though it were a thing of darkness and dared not face +the light that streamed over them. She tore herself from his +clutch and staggered into the supper-room, her loosened hair +falling in a gleaming torrent about her shoulders, while he arose +from his knees and came towards her again, gasping: + +"I'll show you who's master here--" + +Then he ceased abruptly, cringingly, and threw up an arm before +his face as if to ward off 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 eyes filled with horror and shifted down where 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 retreat a shudder ran over him, his knees buckled +and he plunged forward upon his face, his arm still doubled under +him. + +It had happened like a flash of light, and although Helen felt, +rather than heard, the shot and saw her assailant fall, she did +not realize the meaning of it till a drift of powder smoke +assailed her nostrils. Even so, 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, staring at it almost gloatingly, stood so till she heard +her name called, "Helen, little sister!" and, turning, saw her +brother in the window. + +That which he witnessed in her face he had seen before in the +faces of men locked close with a hateful death and from whom all +but the most elemental passions had departed--but he had never +seen a woman bear the marks till now. No artifice nor falsity was +there, nothing but the crudest, intensest feeling, 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 stripped to its purely savage elements. As +Glenister 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 him!" She followed, nevertheless, and stood near by +while her brother examined his victim. Struve was breathing, and, +discovering this, the others lifted him with difficulty to the +couch. + +"Something cracked in here--ribs, I guess," the Kid remarked, +gasping and feeling his own side. He was weak and pale, and the +girl led him into the bunk-room, where he could lie down. Only his +wonderful determination had sustained him thus far, and now the +knowledge of his helplessness served to prevent Helen's collapse. + +The Kid would not hear of her going for help till the storm abated +or daylight came, insisting that the trails were too treacherous +and that no time could be saved by doing so. Thus they waited for +the dawn. At last they heard the wounded man faintly calling. He +spoke to Helen hoarsely. There was no malice, only fear, in his +tones: + +"I said this was my madness--and I got what I deserved, but I'm +going to die. O God--I'm going to die and I'm afraid." He moaned +till the Bronco Kid hobbled in, glaring with unquenched hatred. + +"Yes, you're going to die and I did it. Be game, can't you? I +sha'n't let her go for help until daylight." + +Helen forced her brother back to his couch, and returned to help +the wounded man, who grew incoherent and began to babble. + +A little later, when the Kid seemed stronger and his head clearer, +Helen ventured to tell him of their uncle's villany and of the +proof she held, with her hope of restoring justice. She told him +of the attack planned that very night and of the danger which +threatened the miners. He questioned her closely and, realizing +the bearing of her story, crept to the door, casting the wind like +a hound. + +"We'll have to risk it," said he. "The wind is almost gone and +it's not long till daylight." + +She pleaded to go alone, but he was firm. "I'll never leave you +again, and, moreover, I know the lower trail quite well. We'll go +down the gulch to the valley and reach town that way. It's farther +but it's not so dangerous." + +"You can't ride," she insisted. + +"I can if you'll tie me into the saddle. Come, get the horses." + +It was still pitchy dark and the rain was pouring, but the wind +only sighed weakly as though tired by its violence when she helped +the Bronco into his saddle. The effort wrenched a groan from him, +but he insisted upon her tying his feet beneath the horse's belly, +saying that the trail was rough and he could take no chance of +falling again; so, having performed the last services she might +for Struve, she mounted her own animal and allowed it to pick its +way down the steep descent behind her brother, who swayed and +lurched drunkenly in his seat, gripping the horn before him with +both hands. + + They had been gone perhaps a half-hour when another horse plunged +furiously out of the darkness and halted before the road-house +door. Its rider, mud-stained and dishevelled, flung himself in mad +haste to the ground and bolted in through the door. He saw the +signs of confusion in the outer room, chairs upset and broken, the +table wedged against the stove, and before the counter a shattered +lamp in a pool of oil. He called loudly, but, receiving no answer, +snatched a light which, he found burning and ran to the door at +his left. Nothing greeted him but the empty tiers of bunks. +Turning, he crossed to the other side and burst through. Another +lamp was lighted beside the couch where Struve lay, breathing +heavily, his lids half closed over his staring eyes. Roy noted the +pool of blood at his feet and the broken window; then, setting +down his lamp, he leaned over the man and spoke to him. + +When he received no answer he spoke again loudly. Then, in a +frenzy, Glenister shook the wounded man cruelly, so that he cried +out in terror: + +"I'm dying--oh, I'm dying." Roy raised the sick man up and thrust +his own face before his eyes. + +"This is Glenister. I've come for Helen--where is she?" A spark of +recognition flickered into the dull stare. + +"You're too late--I'm dying--and I'm afraid." + +His questioner shook Struve again. "Where is she?" he repeated, +time after time, till by very force of his own insistence he +compelled realization in the sufferer. + +"The Kid took her away. The Kid shot me," and then his voice rose +till it flooded the room with terror. "The Kid shot me and I'm +dying." He coughed blood to his lips, at which Roy laid him back +and stood up. So there was no mistake, after all, and he had +arrived too late. This was the Kid's revenge. This was how he +struck. Lacking courage to face a man's level eyes, he possessed +the foulness to prey upon a woman. Roy felt a weakening physical +sickness sweep over him till his eye fell upon a sodden garment +which Helen had removed from her brother's shoulders and replaced +with a dry one. He snatched it from the floor and in a sudden fury +felt it come apart in his hands like wet tissue-paper. + +He found himself out in the rain, scanning the trampled soil by +light of his lamp, and discerned tracks which the drizzle had not +yet erased. He reasoned mechanically that the two riders could +have no great start of him, so strode out beyond the house to see +if they had gone farther into the hills. There were no tracks +here, therefore they must have doubled back towards town. It did +not occur to him that they might have left the beaten path and +followed down the little creek to the river; but, replacing the +light where he had found it, he remounted and lashed his horse +into a stiff canter up towards the divide that lay between him and +the city. The story was growing plainer to him, though as yet he +could not piece it all together. Its possibilities stabbed him +with such horror that he cried out aloud and beat his steed into +faster time with both hands and feet. To think of those two +ruffians fighting over this girl as though she were the spoils of +pillage! He must overtake the Kid--he WOULD! The possibility that +he might not threw him into such ungovernable mental chaos that he +was forced to calm himself. Men went mad that way. He could not +think of it. That gasping creature in the road-house spoke all too +well of the Bronco's determination. And yet, who of those who had +known the Kid in the past would dream that his vileness was so +utter as this? + +Away to the right, hidden among the shadowed hills, his friends +rested themselves for the coming battle, waiting impatiently his +return, and timing it to the rising sun. Down in the valley to his +left were the two he followed, while he, obsessed and unreasoning, +now cursing like a madman, now grim and silent, spurred southward +towards town and into the ranks of his enemies. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE HAMMER-LOCK + + +Day was breaking as Glenister came down the mountain. With the +first light he halted to scan the trail, and having no means of +knowing that the fresh tracks he found were not those of the two +riders he followed, he urged his lathered horse ahead till he +became suddenly conscious that he was very tired and had not slept +for two days and nights. The recollection did not reassure the +young man, for his body was a weapon which must not fail in the +slightest measure now that there was work to do. Even the +unwelcome speculation upon his physical handicap offered relief, +however, from the agony which fed upon him whenever he thought of +Helen in the gambler's hands. Meanwhile, the horse, groaning at +his master's violence, plunged onward towards the roofs of Nome, +now growing gray in the first dawn. + +It seemed years since Roy had seen the sunlight, for this night, +burdened with suspense, had been endlessly long. His body was +faint beneath the strain, and yet he rode on and on, tired, +dogged, stony, his eyes set towards the sea, his mind a storm of +formless, whirling thoughts, beneath which was an undeviating, +implacable determination. + +He knew now that he had sacrificed all hope of the Midas, and +likewise 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 +himself. He had failed everywhere, he had become an outlaw, he had +fought and gone down, certain only of his rectitude and the +mastery of his unruly spirit. Now the hour had come when he would +perform his last mission, deriving therefrom that satisfaction +which the gods could not deny. He would have his vengeance. + +The scheme took form without conscious effort 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 +rising there would sink in the west. So well confirmed was this +belief that the details did not engage his thought; but on the +result of the other encounter he speculated with some interest. +From the first McNamara had been a riddle to him, and mystery +breeds curiosity. 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 that point as well as her deliverance from the Bronco Kid. +When he had finished--he would pay the price. If he had the luck +to escape, he would go back to his hills and his solitude; if he +did not, his future would be in the hands of his enemies. + +He entered the silent streets unobserved, for the mists were heavy +and low. Smoke columns arose vertically in the still air. The rain +had ceased, having beaten down the waves which rumbled against the +beach, filling the streets with their subdued thunder. A ship, +anchored in the offing, had run in from the lee of Sledge Island +with the first lull, while midway to the shore a tender was rising +and falling, its oars flashing like the silvered feelers of a sea +insect crawling upon the surface of the ocean. + +He rode down Front Street heedless of danger, heedless of the +comment his appearance might create, and, unseen, entered his +enemy's stronghold. He passed a gambling-hall, through the windows +of which came a sickly yellow gleam. A man came out unsteadily and +stared at the horseman, then passed on. + +Glenister's plan was to go straight to the Northern and from there +to track down its owner relentlessly, but in order to reach the +place his course led him past the office of Dunham & Struve. This +brought back to his mind the man dying out there ten miles at his +back. The scantiest humanity demanded that assistance be sent at +once. Yet he dared not give word openly, thus betraying his +presence, for it was necessary that he maintain his liberty during +the next hour at all hazards. He suddenly thought of an expedient +and reined in his horse, which stopped with wide-spread legs and +dejected head while he dismounted and climbed the stairs to leave +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 previous night he +had replaced his leather boots with "mukluks," which are +waterproof, light, and pliable footgear made from the skin of seal +and walrus. He was thus able to move as noiselessly as though in +moccasins. Finding neither pencil nor paper in his pocket, he +tried the outer door of the office, to find it unlocked. He +stepped inside and listened, then moved towards a table on which +were writing materials, but in doing so heard a rustle in Struve's +private office. Evidently his soft soles had not disturbed the man +inside. Roy was about to tiptoe out as he had come when the hidden +man cleared his throat. It is in these involuntary sounds that the +voice retains its natural quality more distinctly even than in +speaking, A strange eagerness grew in Glenister's face and he +approached the partition stealthily. It was of wood and glass, the +panes clouded and opaque to a height of some six feet; but +stepping upon a chair he peered into the room beyond. A man knelt +in a litter of papers before the open safe, its drawers and +compartments removed and their contents scattered. The watcher +lowered himself, drew his gun, and laid soft hand upon the door- +knob, turning the latch with firm fingers. His vengeance had come +to meet him. + + After lying in wait during the long night, certain that the +Vigilantes would spring his trap, McNamara was astounded at news +of the battle at the Midas and of Glenister's success. He stormed +and cursed his men as cowards. The Judge became greatly exercised +over this new development, which, coupled with his night of long +anxiety, reduced him to a pitiful hysteria. + +"They'll blow us up next. Great Heavens! Dynamite! Oh, that is +barbarous. For Heaven's sake, get the soldiers out, Alec." + +"Ay, we can use them now." Thereupon McNamara roused the +commanding officer at the post and requested him to accoutre a +troop and have them ready to march at daylight, then bestirred the +Judge to start the wheels of his court and invoke this military +aid in regular fashion. + +"Make it all a matter of record," he said. "We want to keep our +skirts clear from now on." + +"But the towns-people are against us," quavered Stillman. "They'll +tear us to pieces." + +"Let 'em try. Once I get my hand on the ringleader, the rest may +riot and be damned." + +Although he had made less display than had the Judge, the receiver +was no less deeply worried about Helen, of whom no news came. His +jealousy, fanned to red heat by the discovery of her earlier +defection, was enhanced 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 in +her lot with the rioters. This aroused a perfect delirium of doubt +and anger till he reasoned further that Struve, having gone with +her, must also be a traitor. He recognized the menace in this +fact, knowing the man's venality, so began to reckon carefully its +significance. What could Struve do? What proof had he? McNamara +started, and, seizing his hat, hurried straight to the lawyer's +office and let himself in with the key he carried. It was light +enough for him to decipher the characters on the safe lock as he +turned the combination, so he set to work scanning the endless +bundles within, hoping that after all the man had taken with him +no incriminating evidence. Once the searcher paused at some +fancied sound, but when nothing came of it drew his revolver and +laid it before him just inside the safe door and close beneath his +hand, continuing to run through the documents while his uneasiness +increased. He had been engaged so for some time when he heard the +faintest creak at his back, too slight to alarm and just +sufficient to break his tension and cause him to jerk his head +about. Framed in the open door stood Roy Glenister watching him. + +McNamara's astonishment was so genuine that he leaped to his feet, +faced about, and prompted by a secretive instinct swung to the +safe door as though to guard its contents. He had acted upon the +impulse before realizing that his weapon was inside and that now, +although the door was not locked, it would require that one +dangerous, yes, fatal, second to open it. + +The two men stared at each other for a time, silent and malignant, +their glances meeting like blades; in the older man's face a look +of defiance, in the younger's a dogged and grim-purposed enmity. +McNamara's first perturbation left him calm, alert, dangerous; +whereas the continued contemplation of his enemy worked in +Glenister to destroy his composure, and his purpose blazed forth +unhidden. + +He stood there unkempt and soiled, the clean sweep of jaw and +throat overgrown with a three days' black stubble, his hair wet +and matted, his whole left side foul with clay where he had fallen +in the darkness. A muddy red streak spread downward from a cut +above his temple, beneath his eyes were sagging folds, while the +flicker at his mouth corners betrayed the high nervous pitch to +which he was keyed. + +"I have come for the last act, McNamara; now we'll have it out, +man to man." + +The politician shrugged his shoulders. "You have the drop on me. I +am unarmed." At which the miner's face lighted fiercely and he +chuckled. + +"Ah, that's almost too good to be true. I have dreamed about such +a thing and I have been hungry to feel your throat since the first +time I saw you. It's grown on me till shooting wouldn't satisfy +me. Ever had the feeling? Well, I'm going to choke the life out of +you with my bare hands." + +McNamara squared himself. + +"I wouldn't advise you to try it. I have lived longer than you and +I was never beaten, but I know the feeling you speak about. I have +it now." + +His eyes roved rapidly up and down the other's form, noting the +lean thighs and close-drawn belt which lent the appearance of +spareness, belied only by the neck and shoulders. He had beaten +better men, and he reasoned that if it came to a physical test in +these cramped quarters his own great weight would more than offset +any superior agility the miner might possess. The longer he looked +the more he yielded to his hatred of the man before him, and the +more cruelly he longed to satisfy it. + +"Take off your coat," said Glenister. "Now turn around. All right! +I just wanted to see if you were lying about your gun." + +"I'll kill you," cried McNamara. + +Glenister laid his six-shooter upon the safe and slipped off his +own wet garment. The difference was more marked now and the +advantage more strongly with the receiver. Though they had avoided +allusion to it, each knew that this fight had nothing to do with +the Midas and each realized whence sprang their fierce enmity. And +it was meet that they should come together thus. It had been the +one certain and logical event which they had felt inevitably +approaching from long back. And it was fitting, moreover, that +they should fight alone and unwitnessed, armed only with the +weapons of the wilderness, for they were both of the far, free +lands, were both of the fighter's type, and had both warred for +the first, great prize. + +They met ferociously. McNamara aimed a fearful blow, but Glenister +met him squarely, beating him off cleverly, stepping in and out, +his arms swinging loosely from his shoulders like whalebone withes +tipped with lead. He moved lightly, his footing made doubly secure +by reason of his soft-soled mukluks. Recognizing his opponent's +greater weight, he undertook merely to stop the headlong rushes +and remain out of reach as long as possible. He struck the +politician fairly in the mouth so that the man's head snapped back +and his fists went wild, then, before the arms could grasp him, +the miner had broken ground and whipped another blow across; but +McNamara was a boxer himself, so covered and blocked it. The +politician spat through his mashed lips and rushed again, sweeping +his opponent from his feet. Again Glenister's fist shot forward +like a lump of granite, but the other came on head down and the +blow finished too high, landing on the big man's brow. A sudden +darting agony paralyzed Roy's hand, and he realized that he had +broken the metacarpal bones and that henceforth it would be +useless. Before he could recover, McNamara had passed under his +extended arm and seized him by the middle, then, thrusting his +left leg back of Roy's, he whirled him from his balance, flinging +him clear and with resistless force. It seemed that a fatal fall +must follow, but the youth squirmed catlike in the air, landing +with set muscles which rebounded like rubber. Even so, the +receiver was upon him before he could rise, reaching 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 exhaustion--then the mind goes skittering back +into its dark recesses while every venomous passion leaps forth +from its hiding-place and joins in the horrid war. + +They tripped across the floor, crashing into the partition, which +split, showering them with glass. They fell and rolled in it; +then, by consent, wrenched themselves apart and rose, eye to eye, +their jaws hanging, their lungs wheezing, their faces trickling +blood and sweat. Roy's left hand pained him excruciatingly, while +McNamara's macerated lips had turned outward in a hideous pout. +They crouched so for an instant, cruel, bestial--then clinched +again. The office-fittings 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 insensate +mechanisms. + +Gradually the older man's face was beaten into a shapeless mass by +the other's cunning blows, while Glenister's every bone was +wrenched and twisted under his enemy's terrible onslaughts. The +miner's chief effort, it is true, was to keep his feet and to +break the man's embraces. Never had he encountered one whom he +could not beat by sheer strength till he met this great, snarling +creature who worried him hither and yon as though he were a child. +Time and again Roy beat upon the man's face with the blows of a +sledge. No rules governed this solitary combat; the men were deaf +to all but the roaring in their ears, blinded to all but hate, +insensible to everything but the blood mania. Their trampling feet +caused the building to rumble and shake as though some monster +were running amuck. + +Meanwhile a bareheaded man rushed out of the store beneath, +bumping into a pedestrian who had paused on the sidewalk, and +together they scurried up the stairs. The dory which Roy had seen +at sea had shot the breakers, and now its three passengers were +tracking through the wet sand towards Front Street, Bill Wheaton +in the lead. He was followed by two rawboned men who travelled +without baggage. The city was awakening with the sun which reared +a copper rim out of the sea--Judge Stillman and Voorhees came down +from the hotel and paused to gaze through the mists at a caravan +of mule teams which trotted into the other end of the street with +jingle and clank. The wagons were blue with soldiers, the early +golden rays slanting from their Krags, and they were bound for the +Midas. + +Out of the fogs which clung so thickly to the tundra there came +two other horses, distorted and unreal, on one a girl, on the +other a figure of pain and tragedy, a grotesque creature that +swayed stiffly to the motion 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 out upon seeing them, but as they reined in, out from +the stairs beside them a man shot amid clatter and uproar. + +"Give me a hand--quick!" he shouted to them. + +"What's up?" inquired the marshal. + +"It's murder! McNamara and Glenister!" He dashed back up the steps +behind Voorhees, the Judge following, while muffled 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 hearing 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 stay 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 breakable thing +had been ground to splinters as though by iron slugs in a whirling +cylinder. + +To this day, from Dawson to the Straits, from Unga to the Arctics, +men tell of the combat wherever they foregather at flaring camp- +fires or in dingy bunkhouses; and although some scout the tale, +there are others who saw it and can swear to its truth. These say +that the encounter was like the battle of bull moose in the +rutting season, though more terrible, averring that two men like +these had never been known in the land since the days of Vitus +Bering and his crew; for their rancor had swollen till at feel of +each other's flesh they ran mad and felt superhuman strength. It +is true, at any rate, that neither was conscious of the filling +room, nor the cries of the crowd, even when the marshal forced +himself through the wedged door and fell upon the nearest, which +was Glenister. He came at an instant when the two had paused at +arm's-length, glaring with rage-drunken eyes, gasping the labored +breath back into their lungs. + +With a fling of his long arms the young man hurled the intruder +aside so violently that his head struck the iron safe and he +collapsed insensible. Then, without apparent notice of the +interruption, the fight went on. It was seen during this respite +that McNamara's mouth was running water as though he were deathly +sick, while every retch brought forth a groan. Helen heard herself +crying: "Stop them! Stop them!" But no one seemed capable of +interference. She heard her brother muttering and his breath +coming heavily like that of the fighters, his body swaying in. +time to theirs. The Judge was ashy, imbecile, helpless. + +McNamara's distress was patent to his antagonist, who advanced +upon him with the hunger of promised victory; but the young man's +muscles obeyed his commands sluggishly, his ribs seemed broken, +his back was weak, and on the inner side of his legs the flesh was +quivering. As they came together the boss reached up his right +hand and caught the miner by the face, burying thumb and fingers +crab like into his cheeks, forcing his slack jaws apart, thrusting +his head backward, while 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 +advantage given him through the other's perfidy, realized the +wrestler's hold that was his, and knew that the moment 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 younger man was seized with a fear of death which +multiplied his enormous strength, others that the power died in +his adversary as reward for his treason; but it was not so. + +No sooner had Roy encompassed McNamara's waist from the rear than +he slid his damaged hand up past the other's chest and around the +back of his neck, thus bringing his own left arm close under his +enemy's left armpit, wedging the receiver's head forward, while +with his other hand he grasped the politician's right wrist close +to the revolver, thus holding him in a grasp which could not be +broken. Now came the test. The two bodies set themselves rocklike +and rigid. There was no lunging about. Calling up the final atom +of his strength, Glenister bore backward with his right arm and it +became a contest for the weapon which, clutched in the two hands, +swayed back and forth or darted up and down, the fury of +resistance causing it to trace formless patterns in the air with +its muzzle. McNamara shook himself, but he was close against the +safe and could not escape, his head bowed forward by the lock of +the miner's left arm, and so he strained till the breath clogged +in his throat. Despite the grievous toil his right hand moved back +slightly. His feet shifted a bit, while the blood seemed bursting +from his eyes, but he found that the long fingers encircling his +wrist were like gyves weighted with the strength of the hills and +the irresistible vigor of youth which knew no defeat. Slowly, inch +by inch, the great man's arm was dragged back, down past his side, +while the strangling labor of his breath showed at what awful +cost. The muzzle of the gun described a semicircle and the knotted +hands began to travel towards the left, more rapidly now, across +his broad back. Still he struggled and wrenched, but uselessly. He +strove to fire the weapon, but his fingers were woven about it so +that the hammer would not work. Then the miner began forcing +upward. + +The white skin beneath the men's strips of clothing was stretched +over great knots and ridges which sunk and swelled and quivered. +Helen, watching in silent terror, felt her brother sinking his +fingers into her shoulder and heard him panting, his face ablaze +with excitement, while she became conscious that he had. repeated +time and again: + +"It's the hammer-lock--the hammer-lock." + +By now McNamara's arm was bent and cramped upon his back, and then +they saw Glenister's shoulder dip, his elbow come closer to his +side, and his body heave in one final terrific effort as though +pushing a heavy weight. In the silence something snapped like a +stick. There came a deafening report and the scream of a strong +man overcome with agony. McNamara went to his knees and sagged +forward on to his face as though every bone in his huge bulk had +turned to water, while his master reeled back against the opposite +wall, his heels dragging in the litter, bringing up with outflung +arms as though fearful of falling, swaying, blind, exhausted, his +face blackened by the explosion of the revolver, yet grim with the +light of victory. + +Judge Stillman shouted, hysterically: + +"Arrest that man, quick! Don't let him go!" + +It was the miner's first realization that others were there. +Raising his head he stared at the faces close against the +partition, then groaned the words: + +"I beat the traitor and--and--I broke him with--my hands!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE PROMISE OF DREAMS + + +Soldiers seized the young man, who made no offer at resistance, +and the room became a noisy riot. Crowds surged up from below, +clamoring, questioning, till some one at the head of the stairs +shouted down: + +"They've got Roy Glenister. He's killed McNamara," at which a +murmur arose that threatened to become a cheer. + +Then one of the receiver's faction called: "Let's hang him. He +killed ten of our men last night." Helen winced, but Stillman, +roused to a sort of malevolent courage, quieted the angry voices. + +"Officer, hold these people back. I'll attend to this man. The +law's in my hands and I'll make him answer." + +McNamara reared himself groaning from the floor, his right arm +swinging from the shoulder strangely loose and distorted, with +palm twisted outward, while his battered face was hideous with +pain and defeat. He growled broken maledictions at his enemy. + +Roy, meanwhile, said nothing, for as the savage lust died in him +he realized that the whirling faces before him were the faces of +his enemies, that the Bronco Kid was still at large, and that his +vengeance was but half completed. His knees were bending, his +limbs were like leaden bars, his chest a furnace of coals. As he +reeled down the lane of human forms, supported by his guards, he +came abreast of the girl and her companion and paused, clearing +his vision slowly. + +"Ah, there you are!" he said, thickly, to the gambler, and began +to wrestle with his captors, baring his teeth in a grimace of +painful effort; but they held him as easily as though he were a +child and drew him forward, his body sagging limply, his face +turned back over his shoulder. + +They had him near the door when Wheaton barred their way, crying: +"Hold up a minute--it's all right, Roy--" + +"Ay, Bill--it's all right. We did our--best, but we were done by a +damned blackguard. Now he'll send me up--but I don't care. I broke +him--with my naked hands. Didn't I, McNamara?" He mocked +unsteadily at the boss, who cursed aloud in return, glowering like +an evil mask, while Stillman ran up dishevelled and shrilly +irascible. + +"Take him away, I tell you! Take him to jail." + +But Wheaton held his place while the room centred its eyes upon +him, scenting some unexpected denouement. He saw it, and in +concession to a natural vanity and dramatic instinct, he threw +back his head and stuffed his hands into his coat-pockets while +the crowd waited. He grinned insolently at the Judge and the +receiver. + +"This will be a day of defeats and disappointments to you, my +friends. That boy won't go to jail because you will wear the +shackles yourselves. Oh, you played a shrewd game, you two, with +your senators, your politics, and your pulls; but it's our turn +now, and we'll make you dance for the mines you gutted and the +robberies you've done and the men you've ruined. Thank Heaven +there's ONE honest court and I happened to find it." He turned to +the strangers who had accompanied him from the ship, crying, +"Serve those warrants," and they stepped forward. + +The uproar of the past few minutes had brought men running from +every direction till, finding no room on the stairs, they had +massed in the street below while the word flew from lip to lip +concerning this closing scene of their drama, the battle at the +Midas, the great fight up-stairs, and the arrest by the 'Frisco +deputies. Like Sindbad's genie, a wondrous tale took shape from +the rumors. Men shouldered one another eagerly for a glimpse of +the actors, and when the press streamed out, greeted it with +volleys of questions. They saw the unconscious marshal borne +forth, followed by the old Judge, now a palsied wretch, slinking +beside his captor, a very shell of a man at whom they jeered. When +McNamara lurched into view, an image of defeat and chagrin, their +voices rose menacingly. The pack was turning and he knew it, but, +though racked and crippled, he bent upon them a visage so full of +defiance and contemptuous malignity that they hushed themselves, +and their final picture of him was that of a big man downed, but +unbeaten to the last. They began to cry for Glenister, so that +when he loomed in the doorway, a ragged, heroic figure, his heavy +shock low over his eyes, his unshaven face aggressive even in its +weariness, his corded arms and chest bare beneath the fluttering +streamers, the street broke into wild cheering. Here was a man of +their own, a son of the Northland who labored and loved and fought +in a way they understood, and he had come into his due. + +But Roy, dumb and listless, staggered up the street, refusing the +help of every man except Wheaton. He heard his companion talking, +but grasped only that the attorney gloated and gloried. + +"We have whipped them, boy. We have whipped them at their own +game. Arrested in their very door-yards--cited for contempt of +court--that's what they are. They disobeyed those other writs, and +so I got them." + +"I broke his arm," muttered the miner. + +"Yes, I saw you do it! Ugh! it was an awful thing. I couldn't +prove conspiracy, but they'll go to jail for a little while just +the same, and we have broken the ring." + +"It snapped at the shoulder," the other continued, dully, "just +like a shovel handle. I felt it--but he tried to kill me and I had +to do it." + +The attorney took Roy to his cabin and dressed his wounds, talking +incessantly the while, but the boy was like a sleep-walker, +displaying no elation, no excitement, no joy of victory. At last +Wheaton broke out: + +"Cheer up! Why, man, you act like a loser. Don't you realize 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, Bill? The +Midas--the world--what good are they? You're wrong. I've lost-- +yes--I've lost everything she taught me, and by some damned trick +of Fate she was there to see me do it. Now, go away; I want to +sleep." + +He sank upon the bed with its tangle of blankets and was +unconscious before the lawyer had covered him over. + +There he lay like a dead man till late in the afternoon, when +Dextry and Slapjack came in from the hills, answering Wheaton's +call, and fell upon him hungrily. They shook Roy into +consciousness with joyous riot, pommelling him with affectionate +roughness till he rose and joined with them stiffly. He bathed and +rubbed the soreness from his muscles, emerging physically fit. +They made him recount his adventures to the tiniest detail, +following his description of the fight with absorbed interest till +Dextry broke into mournful complaint: + +"I'd have give my half of the Midas to see you bust him. Lord, I'd +have screeched with soopreme delight at that." + +"Why didn't you gouge his eyes out when you had him crippled?" +questioned Slapjack, vindictively. "I'd 'a' done it." + +Dextry continued: "They tell me that when he was arrested he swore +in eighteen different languages, each one more refreshin'ly +repulsive an' vig'rous than the precedin'. Oh, I have sure missed +a-plenty to-day, partic'lar because my own diction is gettin' run +down an' skim-milky of late, showin' sad lack of new idees. Which +I might have assim'lated somethin' robustly original an' +expressive if I'd been here. No, sir; a nose-bag full of nuggets +wouldn't have kept me away." + +"How did it sound when she busted?" insisted the morbid Simms, but +Glenister refused to discuss his combat, + +"Come on, Slap," said the old prospector, "let's go down-town. I'm +so het up I can't set still, an' besides, mebbe we can get the +story the way it really happened, from somebody who ain't bound +an' gagged an' chloroformed by such unbecomin' modesties. Roy, +don't never go into vawdyville with them personal episodes, +because they read about as thrillin' as a cook-book. Why, say, +I've had the story of that fight from four different fellers +already, none of which was within four blocks of the scrimmage, +an.' they're all diff'rent an' all better 'n your account." + +Now that Glenister's mind had recovered some of its poise he +realized what he had done. + +"I was a beast, an animal," he groaned, "and that after all my +striving. I wanted to leave that part behind, I wanted to be +worthy of her love and trust even though I never won it, but at +the first test I am found lacking. I have lost her confidence, +yes--and what is worse, infinitely worse, I have lost my own. +She's always seen me at my worst," he went on, "but I'm not that +kind at bottom, not that kind. I want to do what's right, and if I +have another chance I will, I know I will. I've been tried too +hard, that's all." + +Some one knocked, and he opened the door to admit the Bronco Kid +and Helen. + +"Wait a minute, old man," said the Kid. "I'm here as a friend." +The gambler handled himself with difficulty, offering in +explanation: + +"I'm all sewed up in bandages of one kind or another." + +"He ought to be in bed now, but he wouldn't let me come alone, and +I could not wait," the girl supplemented, while her eyes avoided +Glenister's in strange hesitation. + +"He wouldn't let you. I don't understand." + +"I'm her brother," announced the Bronco Kid. "I've known it for a +long time, but I--I--well, you understand I couldn't let her know. +All I can say is, I've gambled square till the night I played you, +and I was as mad as a dervish then, blaming you for the talk I'd +heard. Last night I learned by chance about Struve and Helen and +got to the road-house in time to save her. I'm sorry I didn't kill +him." His long white fingers writhed about the arm of his chair at +the memory. + +"Isn't he dead?" Glenister inquired. + +"No. The doctors have brought him in and he'll get well. He's like +half the men in Alaska--here because the sheriffs back home +couldn't shoot straight. There's something else. I'm not a good +talker, but give me time and I'll manage it so you'll understand. +I tried to keep Helen from coming on this errand, but she said it +was the square thing and she knows better than I. It's about those +papers she brought in last spring. She was afraid you might +consider her a party to the deal, but you don't, do you?" He +glared belligerently, and Roy replied, with fervor: + +"Certainly not. Go on." + +"Well, she learned the other day that those documents told the +whole story and contained enough proof to break up this conspiracy +and convict the Judge and McNamara and all the rest, but Struve +kept the bundle in his safe and wouldn't give it up without a +price. That's why she went away with him--She thought it was +right, and--that's all. But it seems Wheaton had succeeded in +another way. Now, I'm coming to the point. The Judge and McNamara +are arrested for contempt of court and they're as good as +convicted; you have recovered your mine, and these men are +disgraced. They will go to jail--" + +"Yes, for six months, perhaps," broke in the other, hotly, "but +what does that amount to? There never was a bolder crime +consummated nor one more cruelly unjust. They robbed a realm and +pillaged its people, they defiled a court and made Justice a +wanton, they jailed good men and sent others to ruin; and for this +they are to suffer--how? By a paltry fine or a short imprisonment, +perhaps, by an ephemeral disgrace and the loss of their stolen +goods. Contempt of court is the accusation, but you might as well +convict a murderer for breach of the peace. We've thrown them 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 unpunished while +their lawyers quibble over technicalities and rules of court. I +guess it's true that there isn't any law 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 enemies +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, taking a packet +from her bosom as she began: + +"This will tell the whole wretched story, Mr. Glenister, and show +the plot in all its vileness. It's hard for me to betray my uncle, +but this proof is yours by right to use as you see fit, and I +can't keep it." + +"Do you mean that this evidence will show all that? And you're +going to give it to me because you think it is your duty?" + +"It belongs to you. I have no choice. But what I came for was to +plead and to ask a little mercy for my uncle, who is an old, old +man, and very weak. This will kill him." + +He saw that her eyes were swimming while the little chin quivered +ever so slightly and her pale cheeks were flushed. There rose in +him the old wild desire to take her in his arms, a yearning to +pillow her head on his shoulder and kiss away the tears, to smooth +with tender caress the wavy hair, and bury his face deep in it +till he grew drunk with the madness of her. But he knew at last +for whom she really pleaded. + +So he was to forswear this vengeance, which was no vengeance after +all, but in verity a just punishment. They asked him--a man--a +man's man--a Northman--to do this, and for what? For no reward, +but on the contrary to insure himself lasting bitterness. He +strove to look at the proposition calmly, clearly, but it was +difficult. If only by freeing this other villain as well as her +uncle he would do a good to her, then he would not hesitate. Love +was not the only thing. He marvelled at his own attitude; this +could not be his old self debating thus. He had asked for another +chance to show that he was not the old Roy Glenister; well, it had +come, and he was ready. + +Roy dared not look at Helen any more, for this was the hardest +moment he had ever lived. + +"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 almost too much to ask," the Kid took up, uncertainly. "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 his 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 ostentation, and +tossed the fragments away, while the woman began to sob softly, +the sound of her relief alone disturbing the silence. And so he +gave her his enemy, making his offer 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 dying 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, becoming 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 medical attention--so left the cabin and walked down +into the city. He encountered Dextry and Simms on the way, and +they went with him, both flowing with the gossip of the camp. + +"Lord, but you're the talk of the town," they began. "The curio +hunters have commenced to pull Struve's office apart for +souvenirs, and the Swedes want to run you for Congress as soon as +ever we get admitted as a State. They say that at collar-an'-elbow +holts you could lick any of them Eastern senators and thereby +rastle out a lot of good legislation for us cripples up here." + +"Speakin' of laws goes to show me that this here country is +gettin' too blamed civilized for a white man," said Simms, +pessimistically, "and now that this fight is ended up it don't +look like there would be anything doin' fit to claim the interest +of a growed-up person for a long while. I'm goin' west." + +"West! Why, you can throw a stone into Bering Strait from here," +said Roy, smiling. + +"Oh, well, the world's round. There's a schooner outfittin' for +Sibeery--two years' cruise. Me an' Dex is figgerin' on gettin' out +towards the frontier fer a spell." + +"Sure!" said Dextry. "I'm beginnin' to feel all cramped up +hereabouts owin' to these fillymonarch orchestras an' French +restarawnts and such discrepancies of scenery. They're puttin' a +pavement on Front Street and there's a 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 dress suit. Better +come along, Roy; we can sell out the Midas." + +"I'll think it over," said the young man. + +The night was bright with a full moon when they 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 that 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, seeking 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 monotonously. "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 ocean. "It all +depends." After a moment, she added, "What a pity that we can't +all sponge off the slate and begin afresh and--forget." + +"It's part of the game," said he. "I don't know why it's so, but +it is. I'll see you sometimes, won't I?" + +"No, boy--I think not." + +"I believe I understand," he murmured; "and perhaps it's better +so." He took her two soft hands in his one good right and kissed +them. "God bless you and keep you, dear, brave little Cherry." + +She stood straight and still as he melted into the shadows, and +only the moonlight heard her pitiful sob and her hopeless whisper: + +"Good-bye, my boy, my boy." + +He wandered down beside the sea, for his battle was not yet won, +and until he was surer of himself he could not endure the ribaldry +and rejoicing of his fellows. A welcome lay waiting for him in +every public place, but no one there could know the mockery of it, +no one could gauge the desolation that was his. + +The sand, wet, packed, and hard as a pavement, gave no sound to +his careless steps; and thus it was that he came silently upon the +one woman as she stood beside the silver surf. Had he seen her +first he would have slunk past in the landward shadows; but, +recognizing his tall form, she called and he came, while it seemed +that his lungs grew suddenly constricted, as though bound about +with steel hoops. The very pleasure of her sight pained him. He +advanced eagerly, and yet with hesitation, standing stiffly aloof +while his heart fluttered and his tongue grew dumb. At last she +saw his bandages and her manner changed abruptly. Coming closer +she touched them with caressing fingers. + +"It's nothing--nothing at all," he said, while his voice jumped +out of all control. "When are you--going away?" + +"I do not know--not for some time." + +He had supposed she would go to-morrow with her uncle and--the +other, to be with them through their travail. + +With warm impetuosity she began: "It was a noble thing you did to- +day. Oh, I am glad and proud." + +"I prefer you to think of me in that way, rather than as the wild +beast you saw this morning, for I was mad, perfectly mad with +hatred and revenge, and every wild impulse that comes to a +defeated man. You see, I had played and lost, played and lost, +again and again, till there was nothing left. What mischance +brought you there? It was a terribly brutal thing, but you can't +understand." + +"But I can understand. I do. I know all about it now. I know the +wild rage of desperation; I know the exultation of victory; I know +what hate and fear are now. You told me once that the wilderness +had made you a savage, and I laughed at it just as I did when you +said that my contact with big things would teach me the truth, +that we're all alike, and that those motives are in us all. I see +now that you were right and I was very simple. I learned a great +deal last night." + +"I have learned much also," said he. "I wish you might teach me +more." + +"I--I--don't think I could teach you any more," she hesitated. + +He moved as though to speak, but held back and tore his eyes away +from her. + +"Well," she inquired, gazing at him covertly. + +"Once, a long time ago, I read a Lover's Petition, and ever since +knowing you I have made the constant prayer that I might be given +the purity to be worthy the good in you, and that you might be +granted the patience to reach the good in me--but it's no use. But +at least I'm glad we have met on common ground, as it were, and +that you understand, in a measure. The prayer could not be +answered; but through it I have found myself and--I have known +you. That last is worth more than a king's ransom to me. It is a +holy thing which I shall reverence always, and when you go you +will leave me lonely except for its remembrance." + +"But I am not going," she said. "That is--unless--" + +Something in her voice swept his gaze back from the shimmering +causeway that rippled seaward to the rising moon. It brought the +breath into his throat, and he shook as though seized by a great +fear. + +"Unless--what?" + +"Unless you want me to." + +"Oh, God! don't play with me!" He flung out his hand as though to +stop her while his voice died out to a supplicating hoarseness. "I +can't stand that." + +"Don't you see? Won't you see?" she asked. "I was waiting here for +the courage to go to you since you have made it so very hard for +me--my pagan." With which she came close to him, looking upward +into his face, smiling a little, shrinking a little, yielding yet +withholding, while the moonlight made of her eyes two bottomless, +boundless pools, dark with love, and brimming with the promise of +his dreams. + +THE END + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE SPOILERS *** + +This file should be named splrs10.txt or splrs10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, splrs11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, splrs10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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