ng to be
disturbed at this hour. However, since you are so anxious, I shall take
him a message."

As Smiley said this he bowed with an air of gracious condescension, as
if he expected Shock to be profoundly impressed with this concession to
his persistence. But Shock was not at all impressed.

"I cannot wait longer," he said. "It is a matter of life and death. I
must enter that room."

"My dear sir," said Simmons, rubbing his hands, his smile becoming more
and more expansive, "this is my house, that door is my door. If you
break it, I should be grieved to have to exact the full penalty of the
law."

Shock hesitated. He had never willingly broken a law in his life. It
would be a most unfortunate beginning for his mission in this town,
and, after all, what business had he to interfere? If this young fool
was determined to waste his money, let him do so.

But he thought of Ike, and the entreaty in his voice as he whispered
out his broken words, and he thought of the look of reverence and love
on the lad's face that afternoon when he gave his toast, "My mother?
God bless her!" Shock's face set hard.

"I must see him," he said simply, but with such an air of determination
that Simmons weakened.

"Well, if you wait a few minutes," replied Smiley, "I will see if he
will speak to you."

Shock waited till Smiley opened the door, whereupon, stepping quickly
forward, he set his foot against the lower panel and pushed the door
wide open.

In a small room, bare of furniture except for tables and chairs and a
hanging lamp, sat four men, of whom Shock recognised two. The Kid was
one, and Macfarren the other. Across the table from these sat two men,
one by his uniform the Inspector of the Mounted Police. The face of the
other had to Shock a familiar look, but where he had seen him he could
not remember.

As Shock opened the door the man in uniform started up with an oath,
and Macfarren blew out the light.

"What's that for, Macfarren?" said The Kid.

"Shut up, you fool," growled Macfarren.

"What did you say, sir?" enquired The Kid, in a voice somewhat thick
and unsteady.

"Get him out of here," said Macfarren, in a low tone.

"I want to have a few words with Mr. Stanton," said Shock, standing in
the doorway.

"Here you are. Fire away," replied the boy. "The light is not good, but
I can hear in the dark."

"You are wanted, Mr. Stanton, very earnestly by a friend of yours."

"Let him walk right in if he wants m