th what I actually had
to know. Yet crime was forever making just such mistakes; these men
had to place confidence in someone, and, after all, it was not so
strange that the saloon keeper had selected me. I had come to him a
penniless river bum, representing a class he had dealt with all his
life. I had played the part well, and he had found no reason to
suspect me. Moreover the course they were pursuing appeared perfectly
natural--the only means of carrying out their scheme, with the least
possible chance for discovery.

Rale busied himself for some minutes before putting on his hat,
counting over some money, and filling his bottles from a reserve stock
underneath the shelf. The two men completed their meal and resumed
their card game, while Sal hastily washed up the few dishes and tucked
them away in a rude cupboard beside the fireplace. Tim slept
peacefully on, but had slightly changed his posture, so that his face
was now upturned to the light. The sight of his familiar features gave
me an inspiration. He was, undoubtedly, an honest fellow, and had
quarreled with Kirby over this very matter, refusing to have any hand
in it. He had supposed up to that time that he was doing no more than
his duty under the law. If I could arouse him from drunken stupor, he
might even be willing to work with me in the attempt to rescue Eloise.
Rale disappeared through the rear door, after exchanging a few words
with the woman, and did not return. I waited motionless for some time,
fearful lest he might come back. Suddenly the front door opened
noiselessly, and Kirby entered, advancing straight toward the bar. Sal
served him, answering his questions, which were spoken so low I could
not catch the words. His eyes swept the room, but the hat concealed my
face, and he only recognized Tim. He paused long enough to bend above
the upturned features of the unconscious deputy, not unpleased,
evidently, to discover him in that condition.

"The damned old fool," he muttered, perhaps not aware that he spoke
aloud. "Rale has got him fixed, all right."

CHAPTER XXIV

KIRBY AND I MEET

Sal remained seated behind the bar, nodding, and, so soon as I felt
reasonably assured that she was without interest in my movements, I
leaned forward and endeavored to arouse Kennedy. This was by no means
easy of accomplishment, and I was compelled to pinch the fellow rather
severely before he sat up angrily, blurting out the first words w