s
settled up. We can't afford to set the police buzzing, to-day of all
days."

"True for you," said McGinty. "And we'll learn from Birdy Edwards
himself where he got his news if we have to cut his heart out first.
Did he seem to scent a trap?"

McMurdo laughed. "I guess I took him on his weak point," he said. "If
he could get on a good trail of the Scowrers, he's ready to follow it
into hell. I took his money," McMurdo grinned as he produced a wad of
dollar notes, "and as much more when he has seen all my papers."

"What papers?"

"Well, there are no papers. But I filled him up about constitutions and
books of rules and forms of membership. He expects to get right down to
the end of everything before he leaves."

"Faith, he's right there," said McGinty grimly. "Didn't he ask you why
you didn't bring him the papers?"

"As if I would carry such things, and me a suspected man, and Captain
Marvin after speaking to me this very day at the depot!"

"Ay, I heard of that," said McGinty. "I guess the heavy end of this
business is coming on to you. We could put him down an old shaft when
we've done with him; but however we work it we can't get past the man
living at Hobson's Patch and you being there to-day."

McMurdo shrugged his shoulders. "If we handle it right, they can never
prove the killing," said he. "No one can see him come to the house
after dark, and I'll lay to it that no one will see him go. Now see
here, Councillor, I'll show you my plan and I'll ask you to fit the
others into it. You will all come in good time. Very well. He comes at
ten. He is to tap three times, and me to open the door for him. Then
I'll get behind him and shut it. He's our man then."

"That's all easy and plain."

"Yes; but the next step wants considering. He's a hard proposition.
He's heavily armed. I've fooled him proper, and yet he is likely to be
on his guard. Suppose I show him right into a room with seven men in it
where he expected to find me alone. There is going to be shooting, and
somebody is going to be hurt."

"That's so."

"And the noise is going to bring every damned copper in the township on
top of it."

"I guess you are right."

"This is how I should work it. You will all be in the big room--same as
you saw when you had a chat with me. I'll open the door for him, show
him into the parlour beside the door, and leave him there while I get
the papers. That will give me the chance of telling you how things are
sha