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To a certain new reporter on the "Despatch" the stir and gayety of the streets meant little more than that the days had come when it was night in the afternoon, and that he was given fewer political assignments. This was annoying, because Beasley's candidacy for the governorship had given me a personal interest in the political situation.
Beasley's eyes opened wider. "Guess ther' ain't no sheriff in this camp." The woman's next words came impatiently. "Why isn't there? Is there a lawyer?" Beasley grinned. His astonishment was giving place to curiosity and speculation. He tapped the revolver at his hip. "We're mostly our own lawyers around here," he said easily. But the woman ignored his levity.
He swung round as the door was again thrust open. This time it was Blue Grass Pete who strode into the room. "Wher's Ike?" he demanded without preamble the moment he beheld the grinning face of the saloon-keeper. "Gee!" Beasley's grin suddenly broke out into a loud laugh. He brought his two hands down on the counter and gave himself up to the joy of the moment.
"An' it's jest as well you're here with a whole skin. Beasley's in possession now an' I reckon we'd all sooner hev you away from thet ranch." "But, Roy, I won't let Beasley stay there," cried Helen. "Miss Nell, shore by the time this here Pine has growed big enough fer law you'll hev gray in thet pretty hair. You can't put Beasley off with your honest an' rightful claim.
"I came to mail a letter," she said, as she moved on up to the big barn which was Beasley's temporary storehouse, "and to give you a rather large order for furnishing and things." She produced a paper with her list of requirements, and handed it to him. "You see, I'm refurnishing the farm," she went on, while the man glanced an appreciative eye over the extensive order.
"Riggs ran her down made off with her!" cried Helen, passionately. "Oh, the villain! He had men in waiting. That's Beasley's work. They were after me." "It may not be just what you said, but that's close enough. An' Bo's in a bad fix. You must face that an' try to bear up under fears of the worst." "My friend! You will save her!" "I'll fetch her back, alive or dead." "Dead! Oh, my God!"
"I guess they are," she said. "Youse won't be suited with Mother Beasley's grub," said the girl, hesitating at the basement steps. "I believe she's right," Bess said faintly, as the odor of cooking suddenly burst forth with the opening of the door under the long flight leading to the front door of the house. "I've eaten in a lumber camp," said Nan, stoutly. "I'm sure this can't be as hard."
Beasley had let himself go intending to aggravate, but the other's manner still remained undisturbed. "But this only happens when they're drunk," he said mildly. Beasley's angry impatience broke out. "Tcha'! Drunk or sober it don't make any difference. I tell you the whole camp's on edge over that gal. It only needs a word to set things hummin'. It's that gal!
"Say," he went on presently, "you never felt so that your head would burst, so that the only thing worth while doin' would be to kill some one?" He smiled. "That's how I feel, when I know Beasley's been talkin' to you." Joan turned to him with a responsive smile. She was glad he was talking again.
"One explanation might be just barely possible," I said. "If it is, it is the most remarkable case of somnambulism on record. Did you ever hear of Mr. Beasley's walking in his " She touched me lightly but peremptorily on the arm in warning, and I stopped.
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