afraid," she replied. "Just startled, that's all. Did he--did
he do it because you took this money--because he was afraid of what
would happen?"

"You mean Hayden?" Magee said. "No. This money was not concerned in--his
death. That is an affair between Kendrick and him."

"I see," answered the girl slowly. "I'm so glad it wasn't--the money. I
couldn't bear it if it were."

"May I call your attention," remarked Magee, "to the fact that the long
reign of 'I'm going to' is ended, and the rule of 'I've done it' has
begun? I've actually got the money. Somehow, it doesn't seem to thrill
you the way I thought it would."

"But it does--oh, it does!" cried the girl. "I was upset--for a moment.
It's glorious news And with you on guard here, I'm not afraid to carry
it away--down the mountain--and to Reuton. I'll be with you in a moment,
ready for the journey."

She called Mrs. Norton and the two went rather timidly up-stairs
together. Mr. Magee turned to his companions in the room, and mentally
called their roll. They were all there, the professor, the mayor, Max,
Bland, Peters, Miss Thornhill, and the newcomer Kendrick, a man
prematurely old, grayed at the temples, and with a face yellowed by
fever. He and the professor were talking earnestly together, and now the
old man came and stood before Magee.

"Mr. Magee," he said seriously, "I learn from Kendrick that you have in
your possession a certain package of money that has been much buffeted
about here at Baldpate Inn. Now I suggest--no, I demand--"

"Pardon me, Professor," Mr. Magee interrupted. "I have something to
suggest--even to demand. It is that you, and every one else present,
select a chair and sit down. I suggest, though I do not demand, that you
pick comfortable chairs. For the vigil that you are about to begin will
prove a long one."

"What d'you mean?" asked the mayor of Reuton, coming militantly to
Professor Bolton's side.

Magee did not reply. Miss Norton and her mother came down the stair, the
former wrapped in a great coat. She stood on the bottom step, her cheeks
flushed, her eyes ablaze. Mr. Magee, going to her side, reflected that
she looked charming and wonderful, and wished he had time to admire. But
he hadn't. He took from one pocket the pistol he had removed from the
hand of Hayden; from the other the celebrated package of money.

"I warn you all," he said, "I will shoot any one who makes a move for
this bundle. Miss Norton is going to take it