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Again there was an awkward silence. Thayor turned, seated himself promptly at his desk and began methodically filing away the forged accounts in a pigeon hole. The men moved toward the open door leading on to the veranda, muttering among themselves. Shank Dollard shot a vicious glance at the man seated at his desk.

"Any way it happens to be," replied the millionaire, as he squeezed into his place at the rough board table next the trapper. "But before I touch a mouthful I want you all to understand that I don't wish to be considered as a guest. I'm on a holiday and I'm going to take my share of whatever comes." "Thar, Freme!" exclaimed the trapper, "I told ye Mr. Thayor warn't perticler."

Not even on a river drive," he went on coolly "dangerous work like that, I know, commands a just reward." "When we was to work for Morrison," interrupted a round-shouldered lumber jack, "we " "You need not enlighten me with figures," resumed Thayor; "I have them here," and he turned to a yellow pad. "When, I say, have you been paid as much and as steadily?"

"He's all hustle, and smarter than a steel trap that's why I put him in charge of the gang in the lower shanty besides, I saw the boys wanted him." "I must see Mr. Bergstein in the morning," was Thayor's reply. "He left day before yesterday," said Holcomb. "He told me an uncle of his had died in Montreal; he'll be back, he said, in three or four days." "Ah, indeed," said Thayor with a nod.

To this Thayor assented, as they were now nearing their last resting place, the railroad lying but half a day's tramp beyond where they were camped. As the thought of her freedom rose in her mind a strange feeling came over her. "Won't somebody sing?" she asked. "It's been so dreary for so many wretched long miles. Maybe I can."

Thayor stood for a moment in deep thought, reached down into his pocket and took from it a roll of bills. "Hand this to Holt, Billy, and tell him to give it to the poor fellow from me." When Blakeman opened the steel grille for his master at an early hour the day following, the thought uppermost in his mind was the change in Thayor's appearance.

Thayor stepped briskly to Alice's door and knocked, then stood there waiting for her response, keyed up for the scene he knew would ensue the moment he crossed the threshold. The next instant, in response to her voice, he opened the door and entered. To his amazement Alice raised her eyes to his and smiled. "So you're back," she laughed, re-tying a ribbon at her throat.

"Hain't seen nothin' of a barril of kerosene fer me down thar, hev ye?" he asked. "Gosh durn it! it oughter been here more'n a week ago." "Nothing there for you. Jimmy's coming along with the trunks," replied Holcomb. "He won't start before the freight gets in." "Evenin', Mr. Thayor," said Morrison.

I hardly think they will attempt to molest a single, defenceless man. As for your son, I'll take care that no one sees him." As the day wore on and no tidings came from either Thayor or the hide-out, Holcomb's and the Clown's uneasiness became more and more apparent. The midday meal passed in comparative silence. By noon the sky became overcast and it drizzled intermittently.

There's only five of us you, and Keene, Sam Thayor, and a friend of mine from the woods. Touch the bell and give your order." Again the noiseless John appeared. "Any news, John?" "Yes, sir; Mr. Holcomb is waiting for you below, and Mr. Thayor has telephoned he will be here in a moment." Jack started for the stairs. "Good!" he cried. "I'll be back in a second."