n important part
of the deal. You are to keep your mouth shut. Buying the range at a
normal price wouldn't guarantee it. But when you accept a sum like that,
you're a partner in the other end of the transaction, and your health
depends upon keeping the matter quiet. Simple enough, isn't it?"

Alan turned back to the table. His face was pale. He tried to keep smoke
in front of his eyes. "Of course, I don't suppose he'd allow Mrs. Graham
to escape back to the States--where she might do a little upsetting on
her own account?"

"He isn't throwing the money away," replied Rossland significantly.

"She would remain here indefinitely?"

"Indefinitely."

"Probably never would return."

"Strange how squarely you hit the nail on the head! Why should she
return? The world believes she is dead. Papers were full of it. The
little secret of her being alive is all our own. And this will be a
beautiful summering place for Graham. Magnificent climate. Lovely
flowers. Birds. And the girl he has watched grow up, and wanted, since
she was fourteen."

"And who hates him."

"True."

"Who was tricked into marrying him, and who would rather die than live
with him as his wife."

"But it's up to Graham to keep her alive, Holt. That's not our business.
If she dies, I imagine you will have an opportunity to get your range
back pretty cheap."

Rossland held a paper out to Alan.

"Here's partial payment--two hundred and fifty thousand. I have the
papers here, on the desk, ready to sign. As soon as you give possession,
I'll return to Tanana with you and make the remaining payment."

Alan took the check. "I guess only a fool would refuse an offer like
this, Rossland."

"Yes, only a fool."

"_And I am that fool_."

So quietly did Alan speak that for an instant the significance of his
words did not fall with full force upon Rossland. The smoke cleared away
from before Alan's face. His cigar dropped to the floor, and he stepped
on it with his foot. The check followed it in torn scraps. The fury he
had held back with almost superhuman effort blazed in his eyes.

"If I could have Graham where you are now--_in that chair_--I'd give ten
years of my life, Rossland. I would kill him. And you--_you_--"

He stepped back a pace, as if to put himself out of striking distance of
the beast who was staring at him in amazement.

"What you have said about her should condemn you to death. And I would
kill you here, in this room, if it wasn't ne