in a fashion that stirred the man's
pulses and melted his swift wrath instantly.

"Say, you're asking me to partner in this thing whatever it is," Keeko
said in a disarming fashion. "You're asking me to act the grown woman,
and treating me like a foolish kid. You guessed just now I was smart.
Well? Let's be reasonable folk. Here, listen. You're talking of big
money. I guess I know all about big money in this country. The only
feller north of 60 deg. who can handle and pay big money is Lorson Harris.
And he only reckons to pay big money for something he's looking for bad.
The thing he needs bad generally has a deal of dirt in it. Well, how
much dirt is there to this trip while I sit around? Guess I'm either a
woman or a kid. If I'm a kid I can't run the layout with you away. If
I'm a woman I'll be treated that way. There's nothing in the North to
scare me, not even your bluff, any more than Lorson Harris. But tell it
all. We'll stand even then. Anyway it's not good betting blind, and I
don't feel like acting that way."

The girl's smile robbed her determination of its offence. And Nicol fell
for it. The bully in him was struggling with those purposes, that
passion which was his greatest weakness. The struggle was brief enough
as such a struggle is bound to be. In a moment he capitulated.

"Say," he cried, "you'd break up the patience of Satan. Here, the
thing's worth a hundred thousand dollars."

"A hundred thousand dollars?"

The startled tone, the amazement in Keeko's eyes, were genuine enough,
and the man grinned his enjoyment.

"Sure," Nicol laughed in the delight of his success. "Do you know what
it means? How'd you fancy living like a swell woman on the world's best,
and with folks around you to act the way you say? How'd you feel with
pockets stuffed with dollars, and wearing swell gowns instead of the
darn buckskin that hides up half the woman in you? How'd you like living
where you've as much chance of snow as eating ice cream in hell, and
supping your tea without needing to blow aside the dead flies floating
on top to make a place for your dandy lips? It means that--all that--and
more, and it's for you and me."

The girl had recovered from her surprise. Her worst suspicions were
confirmed. Her wits were alert, sharpened by the hideous necessity of
placating this amazing creature she dared not openly flout.

She smiled again. She threw into her smile all the blandness her sex
alone can command.

"I g