forward, his cigar between his fingers; "but as
it chanced, you were pointed out to me on the street a few hours since.
May I inquire in this connection if, by any freak of fortune, you can
be Ned Winston, of Denver?"

"I am."

Farnham permitted his lips to smile genially, although his eyes
remained utterly devoid of humor. He was skating upon rather thin ice
now, realizing it to be far safer to make the venture in all boldness.
What he might need to say later would altogether depend upon how much
this man really knew.

"I was not previously assured of that fact," he explained, pleasantly.
"It was my pleasure at one time to be quite intimately associated with
an old friend of yours, a college chum, I believe--Robert Craig, of
Chicago."

The swift light of pleasant remembrance glowed instantly within the
other's watchful eyes. For the moment he dropped his guard in the
surprise of this avowal.

"Bob Craig! Indeed; why, I do not recall his ever having mentioned
your name to me."

Farnham's suspended breath burst through his compressed lips in sudden
relief.

"Very probably not," he admitted, quietly, yet having the grace to
lower his eyes slightly. "My own intimacy with Craig occurred since
his college days. However, he has spoken to me regarding you quite
frequently, and I naturally esteem it a pleasure to meet with you
personally."

Winston did not immediately reply, puzzling his confused mind in a
wholly useless attempt at recalling his ever having heard this man's
name before. But Farnham, placed completely at his ease regarding
possible recognition, proceeded coolly.

"Yet, that does not sufficiently account for my inviting you here."
And he leaned farther across the table, slightly lowering his voice.
"My important reason for speaking is entirely a business one. You are,
I understand, a mining engineer?"

Winston permitted his eyes to acquiesce, fully determined now to allow
this man to exhibit his own hand completely before making any return
play. Farnham, watching the face of the other closely, paused to
relight his cigar.

"The simple fact is," he resumed, carelessly, "we are having some
little difficulty at present regarding certain mining claims we are
operating up in Echo Canyon. Nothing at all serious, you understand,
but there 's plenty of bad blood, and we naturally prefer keeping the
entire controversy out of the courts, if possible. A lawsuit, whatever
its final result, would be