aring out of the window into the
night. The street was well illumined by the numerous saloon lights,
and he could perceive scattering flakes of snow in the air, blown about
by the gusty wind. He no longer felt the slightest doubt regarding
Albrecht's desertion, and a wave of indignation swept over him. He did
not greatly care himself regarding the small amount of money due for
his services, but it was a dirty, contemptible trick, and he resented
being so easily made the victim of such a scheme. Suddenly he wondered
how this unexpected occurrence might affect the others. With one of
them alone in mind he strode back to the counter, his teeth clinched
savagely.

"What is the number of Miss Norvell's room?"

"Fifty-four--first door to the right of the stairs."

He took the steep flight of steps at a run, caught a glimpse of dimly
reflected light shining through the closed transom, and rapped sharply.
There was a hurried movement within, and her voice spoke.

"What is wanted?"

"I am Mr. Winston, and I must speak with you at once."

His tone was sufficiently low and earnest to make her realize instantly
some grave emergency. Without hesitation the door was held open, and
she stood before him in the faint light of the single lamp, wearing a
fleecy white wrapper, her dark hair partially disarranged, her eyes
seeking his own in bewilderment.

"What is it?"

"Are you aware that both Albrecht and Lane have skipped out?"

"Why, no," her cheeks suddenly paling, her fingers clasping the edge of
the door. "Do you mean they have deserted us here to--to take care of
ourselves?"

He nodded. "Yes, that's about it. What I came to ask was, does that
fellow owe you any money?"

For an instant she hesitated, as if in lingering distrust of his exact
purpose, her lips parted, her face still plainly picturing the shock of
discovery.

"What difference can that possibly make now? Why do you require to
know?"

"Because I half believe you have been left penniless. Albrecht has not
even spoken about any pay to me since I joined the company; and when I
learned he had deliberately left us stalled here, my first thought was
of your unpleasant situation if my suspicions proved true."

"If they were, what is there you can do?"

"The hotel clerk says it is possible to reach the Junction on horseback
before any trains leave there on the main line. I propose to make him
disgorge, but I must know first exactly how things stan