ded playfully,
as he looked off across the bridge.

"I guess not, Joe," said Langham.

His fears assembled themselves before him like a phantom host. How was
he to deal with the handy-man; how would Gilmore have dealt with him?
Had the time gone by to bully and bribe, or was that still the method by
which he could best safeguard his life?

"Say, boss, what they done with young John North?" Montgomery suddenly
demanded.

"Nothing yet," answered Langham after an instant's pause.

"Ain't he had his trial?" Montgomery asked.

"Yes."

"Well, ain't they done anything with him? If he ain't been sent up, he's
been turned loose."

"Neither, Joe," rejoined Langham slowly. "The jury didn't agree. His
friends are trying to get the judge to dismiss the case."

"That would suit me bully, boss, if they done that!" cried the
handy-man.

Langham caught the tone of relief.

"I don't want to see him hang; I don't want to see no one hang, I'm all
in favor of livin', myself. Say, I had a sweet time out West! I'd a died
yonder; I couldn't stand it, I had to come back--just had to!"

He was shaking and wretched, and he exaggerated no part of the misery he
had known.

"When did you get in?" asked Langham.

"I beat my way in on the ten-thirty; I rode most of the way from
Columbus on top of the baggage car--I'm half dead, boss!"

"Have you seen any one?"

"No one but you. I got off at the crossin' where they slow up and come
along here; I wasn't thinkin' of a damn thing but gettin' home to my old
woman. I guess I'll hit the ties right now!" he concluded with sudden
resolution, and once more his small blue eyes were turned toward the
bridge.

"I'll walk across to the other side with you," said Langham hastily.

"The crick's up quite a bit!" said the handy-man as they set foot on the
bridge.

Langham glanced out into the gloom, where swollen by the recent rains
the stream splashed and whirled between its steep banks.

"Yes, way up!" he answered.

As he spoke he stepped close to Montgomery's side and raised his voice.

"Stop a bit," said Joe halting. "I shan't need this now," and he drew
the piece of gas-pipe from his trousers pocket. "I'd have hammered the
life out of Andy Gilmore!" he said, as he tossed the ugly bludgeon from
him.

"You haven't told me where you have been," said Langham, and once more
he pressed close to Montgomery, so close their elbows touched.

The handy-man moved a little to one side.

"Wher