, it went unobserved.

Suddenly Alexander bent forward, her cheeks coloring with embarrassment
and caught at the signer's wrist as spasmodically as though it were a
death warrant to which he meant to set his signature.

"Don't write me no check!" she exclaimed somewhat desperately, then,
covered with confusion she added, "I don't aim ter insult ye none--but
I don't know much erbout fotched-on ways. I wants ter tote thet thar
payment back home--in real money."

Except with Brent, Halloway had never thus far broken out of character.
Having assumed to be a mountain lumberman, he had consistently talked
as one--acted as one.

Now he came out of his chair as though a mighty spring had uncurled
under him, and slapped an outspread hand to his forehead.

"Great jumping Jehosaphat!" he exclaimed, and turning in her chair, the
young woman studied him in perplexity. But Halloway's slip was brief
and his recovery instant. Since Brent sat there staring in speechless
bewilderment at Alexander, the giant launched himself into the breach.

"Tote four thousand dollars in silver an' paper an' gold across them
trails in saddle bags!" His voice suddenly mounted into domineering
vehemence. "Tote hit over wild an' la'relly mountings with this hyar
country full of drunken scalawags thet would do murder for a ten dollar
bill! Hev ye done gone plum bereft of reason?"

Alexander's first confusion of manner had come from the fear that her
refusal of a check might seem tainted with the discourtesy of
suspicion. Now in the face of actual opposition it stiffened instantly
into hostility. The perplexity died from her face and her eyes blazed.
For a moment she met the excited gaze of the man who towered over her
and then in a coldly scornful voice she spoke, not to him, but to
Brent. "I reckon ye war right, Mr. Brent, when ye asked me whether I
wanted this man sent way. Thar hain't no need of his tarryin' hyar."

"Just a moment, Alexander," smiled Brent, enjoying in spite of himself
his friend's discomfiture. "We'll pack him off, if you say so, but
first hear what we both have to say. He's right. With this gang of
scoundrels in and about town it would be madness to carry that much
money. The size of this deal will set tongues wagging. When you start
out everyone will know it. You'd never get home alive."

"I don't know nothin' about checks an' sometimes banks bust," she
obdurately insisted. "I wants ter show my paw cash money