vidently the body of the dead Mexican
had been carried into the jail behind the court house, or somewhere.
The throng had dispersed, though its elements were every place
talking, in pairs or in little knots of people. As he came along,
these fell silent at his passing. They stared at him, motionless,
expressionless, with the characteristic Mexican stolidity that is the
heritage of Indian blood. By his automobile he found Martinez posted,
stroking his long black mustache and regarding Sorenson's office,
which was still lighted though the curtain remained drawn over the
broad plate-glass window.

"Just wanted to give you a whispered word," he said, in Steele Weir's
ear, darting a glance towards some of the Mexicans who, drawn by
insatiable curiosity, were lounging nearer.

"Speak," said the engineer.

"I came out of the office after you did and heard the talk." He made a
covert movement of forefinger towards the nearby building. "The four
of them are in there again. I saw you listening to Sorenson here in
the street; and would you care to have me express my opinion as to
what the signs indicate, Mr. Weir?"

"Go ahead."

"In the light of what I suggested during our talk in my office, the
silly twaddle of Burkhardt and Sorenson is understandable. I look
right through their scheme. They always frame up something against
anybody they want to dispose of; they do it in business matters
regularly, and very skillfully. They immediately perceived a chance,
sir, in this unfortunate encounter of yours and laid hands on it;
their talk was the first delicate maneuver to 'frame' you."

"Sure," was the unperturbed answer.

Martinez laid a finger on Weir's lapel.

"Frankly, feeling hasn't been good towards you because of the work
controversy at the dam," he went on, with another swift glance about.
"They will use that. On the other hand, you have Miss Janet and me as
witnesses in support of your story. Unfortunately Miss Janet is, as
you may not be aware, engaged to----"

Martinez paused dramatically.

"Well?"

"To Ed Sorenson," the lawyer half-hissed. "Nothing could be worse."

"Why?"

"Why? Look at the position she'll be in. Consider the pressure they
can put on her through that fact--and they'll not hesitate to do so,
in one way or another. Innocent as a dove, she is, Mr. Weir." He
thrust his head forward, showing his lips drawn apart and shining
teeth tight set. "And she's never heard a rumor of his hushed-up
affai