ited host, but his compassion for Elsie and his
growing anger against Slade soon received fresh stimulation.

The trader made blunt demand that Farley should agree to give Elsie to
him in marriage--Indian marriage. After considerable bullyragging,
Farley weakly gave way. Carmena continued strongly to protest, but her
plea was only for a legal marriage.

Slade contended that one kind of marriage was as good as another. But he
finally said he would wait and take Elsie out to where they could get a
license and a minister. This would be immediately after the relocation
of the mine and the driving off of Cochise.

Lennon was more than satisfied over the final agreement. Once rid of
Cochise and out of the Hole with Slade and Elsie, he felt certain of his
ability to save the girl from a forced marriage. In keeping with his
assumed indifference to the affair he changed the subject by inquiring
when the start for Triple Butte would be made.

"Daybreak," muttered Slade, and he fixed an intent gaze upon Elsie.
"I'll be ready by then. I'll bunk with you to-night, Dad. Come in and
we'll check up on business accounts."

The moment the two older men left the living room Elsie burst into tears
and began piteously imploring Lennon and Carmena to save her. Carmena
clapped a hand over the quivering lips of the terrified girl and rushed
her out of hearing of Slade.

At the same time Lennon stepped out after the trader to keep him from
turning back. The massive bulk of Slade shadowed the light of the candle
that Farley was carrying into a second of the inner rooms.

The trader looked back, but failed to see Lennon, who had stepped to one
side of the living-room doorway. The bull voice rumbled in what was
evidently intended for a murmur:

"Well, Dad, I guess Carmena ain't such a fool as you might expect from
her being your gal. She sure got that tenderfoot roped mighty slick.
Just wait and watch me hogtie the cripple. All I got to do is let him
lead me to that there gold mine. Then I figger he's apt to git lost.
Mebbe he believes that bunk about the lode being copper, and mebbe he
don't. The point is, I git the mine, and he----"

The rest of the prediction was lost to Lennon. He went back into the
living room and pulled his arm out of the sling to test his grip on
Farley's short-barrelled revolver. His wounded hand had almost regained
its full strength. As he replaced the arm in the sling Elsie peeped
timidly into the room. She saw