t necessary, we are content to obey him. In fact, it would
not make much difference if we were not," he added whimsically. "There
was, however, one instance of a black sheep, or rather wolf of the
contemptible coyote species in sheep's clothing, whom I played a minor
part in catching. But, naturally, you will not care to hear about
this?"

"I should, exceedingly. Did I not say that I am one of Mr. Thurston's
oldest friends? I should very much like to hear about the disguised
coyote. I presume you do not mean a real one, and are speaking
figuratively?"

Gillow was flattered by the glance she cast upon him, and, remembering
only that this gracious lady was one of his employer's friends,
proceeded to gratify her by launching into a vivid description of what
happened on the night when he dropped the prowler into the river. He
had, however, sense enough to conclude with the capture of the man.

"But you have not told me the sequel," said Millicent. "Did you lynch
the miscreant in accordance with the traditional customs of the West,
or how did Mr. Thurston punish him? He is not a man who lightly
forgives an injury."

"No," replied Gillow, rashly. "Against my advice, though my respected
employer is difficult to reason with, he kept the rascal in camp, both
feeding and paying him well."

"You surprise me. I should have expected a more dramatic finale."
Millicent's tone might have deceived a much more clever man who did not
know her husband's position. "Why did he do so?"

There were, however, limits to English Jim's communicativeness, and he
answered: "Mr. Thurston did not explain his motives, and it is not
always wise to ask him injudicious questions."

Millicent, having learned what she desired to know, rested content with
this, and chatted on other subjects until the big bell clanged, and the
whistle shrieked out its warning. Then the dismissed Gillow with her
thanks, and the last she saw of him he was being held back by a
policeman as he struggled to scale a lofty railing while the steamer
slid clear of the wharf. He waved an arm in the air shouting
frantically, and through the thud of paddles she caught the disjointed
sentences, "Very sorry. Forgot baggage checks--all your boxes here.
Leave first steamer--sending checks by mail!"

"It is impossible for us to turn back, madam," said the purser to whom
Millicent appealed. "The baggage will, no doubt, follow the day after
to-morrow."

"But that gen