ittle more than a boy, frank-faced and
cheerful, with the breezy manner of one who is out for a holiday and
means to enjoy every minute of it. Both men were total abstainers, and
behaved in all ways as exemplary members of the society, with the one
simple exception that they were assassins who had often proved
themselves to be most capable instruments for this association of
murder. Lawler had already carried out fourteen commissions of the
kind, and Andrews three.

They were, as McMurdo found, quite ready to converse about their deeds
in the past, which they recounted with the half-bashful pride of men
who had done good and unselfish service for the community. They were
reticent, however, as to the immediate job in hand.

"They chose us because neither I nor the boy here drink," Lawler
explained. "They can count on us saying no more than we should. You
must not take it amiss, but it is the orders of the County Delegate
that we obey."

"Sure, we are all in it together," said Scanlan, McMurdo's mate, as the
four sat together at supper.

"That's true enough, and we'll talk till the cows come home of the
killing of Charlie Williams or of Simon Bird, or any other job in the
past. But till the work is done we say nothing."

"There are half a dozen about here that I have a word to say to," said
McMurdo, with an oath. "I suppose it isn't Jack Knox of Ironhill that
you are after. I'd go some way to see him get his deserts."

"No, it's not him yet."

"Or Herman Strauss?"

"No, nor him either."

"Well, if you won't tell us we can't make you; but I'd be glad to know."

Lawler smiled and shook his head. He was not to be drawn.

In spite of the reticence of their guests, Scanlan and McMurdo were
quite determined to be present at what they called "the fun." When,
therefore, at an early hour one morning McMurdo heard them creeping
down the stairs he awakened Scanlan, and the two hurried on their
clothes. When they were dressed they found that the others had stolen
out, leaving the door open behind them. It was not yet dawn, and by the
light of the lamps they could see the two men some distance down the
street. They followed them warily, treading noiselessly in the deep
snow.

The boarding house was near the edge of the town, and soon they were at
the crossroads which is beyond its boundary. Here three men were
waiting, with whom Lawler and Andrews held a short, eager conversation.
Then they all moved on together. It wa