back the paper.

McMurdo nodded.

"Why did you shoot him?"

"I was helping Uncle Sam to make dollars. Maybe mine were not as good
gold as his, but they looked as well and were cheaper to make. This man
Pinto helped me to shove the queer--"

"To do what?"

"Well, it means to pass the dollars out into circulation. Then he said
he would split. Maybe he did split. I didn't wait to see. I just killed
him and lighted out for the coal country."

"Why the coal country?"

"'Cause I'd read in the papers that they weren't too particular in
those parts."

McGinty laughed. "You were first a coiner and then a murderer, and you
came to these parts because you thought you'd be welcome."

"That's about the size of it," McMurdo answered.

"Well, I guess you'll go far. Say, can you make those dollars yet?"

McMurdo took half a dozen from his pocket. "Those never passed the
Philadelphia mint," said he.

"You don't say!" McGinty held them to the light in his enormous hand,
which was hairy as a gorilla's. "I can see no difference. Gar! you'll
be a mighty useful brother, I'm thinking! We can do with a bad man or
two among us, Friend McMurdo: for there are times when we have to take
our own part. We'd soon be against the wall if we didn't shove back at
those that were pushing us."

"Well, I guess I'll do my share of shoving with the rest of the boys."

"You seem to have a good nerve. You didn't squirm when I shoved this
gun at you."

"It was not me that was in danger."

"Who then?"

"It was you, Councillor." McMurdo drew a cocked pistol from the side
pocket of his peajacket. "I was covering you all the time. I guess my
shot would have been as quick as yours."

"By Gar!" McGinty flushed an angry red and then burst into a roar of
laughter. "Say, we've had no such holy terror come to hand this many a
year. I reckon the lodge will learn to be proud of you.... Well, what
the hell do you want? And can't I speak alone with a gentleman for five
minutes but you must butt in on us?"

The bartender stood abashed. "I'm sorry, Councillor, but it's Ted
Baldwin. He says he must see you this very minute."

The message was unnecessary; for the set, cruel face of the man himself
was looking over the servant's shoulder. He pushed the bartender out
and closed the door on him.

"So," said he with a furious glance at McMurdo, "you got here first,
did you? I've a word to say to you, Councillor, about this man."

"Then say it here and n