steady eyes.

Selfridge could not quite let the subject alone. "Seems to me I heard he
went prospecting."

"He did. Up Wild-Goose Creek, with Big Bill Macy and two other men. But
I asked him to come back with me--and he did."

Feebly Wally groped for the clue without finding it. Had Big Bill sold
him out? And how had Elliot got into touch with him?

"Just so, Mr. Elliot. But really, you know, Howland can make you a great
deal more comfortable than Holt. His wife is a famous cook. I'll have a
man go get your traps."

"It's very good of you, but I think I won't move."

"Oh, but you must. Holt's nutty--nobody at home, you know. Everybody
knows that."

"Is he? The old man struck me as being remarkably clear-headed. By the
way, I want to thank you for sending a relief party out to find me, Mr.
Selfridge. Except for your help I would have died in the hills."

This was another facer for Wally. What the devil did the fellow mean?
The deuce of it was that he knew all the facts and Wally did not. He
talked as if he meant it, but behind those cool eyes there might lie
either mockery or irony. One thing alone stood out to Selfridge like
a sore thumb. His plans had come tumbling down like a house of cards.
Either Big Bill had blundered amazingly, or he had played traitor.
In either case Wally could guess pretty shrewdly whose hide Macdonald
would tan for the failure. The chief wanted results. He did not ask of
his subordinates how they got them. And this was the second time in
succession that Selfridge had come to grief.

CHAPTER XI

GORDON INVITES HIMSELF TO DINNER--AND DOES NOT ENJOY IT

Big Bill and his companions reached Kamatlah early next day. They
reported at once to Selfridge. It had been the intention of Wally to
vent upon them the bad temper that had been gathering ever since his
talk with Elliot. But his first sarcastic question drew such a snarl of
anger that he reconsidered. The men were both sullen and furious. They
let him know roundly that if Holt made them any trouble through the
courts, they would tell all they knew.

The little man became alarmed. Instead of reproaches he gave them soft
words and promises. The company would see them through. It would protect
them against criminal procedure. But above all they must stand pat in
denial. A conviction would be impossible even if the State's attorney
filed an indictment against them. Meanwhile they would remain on the
company pay-roll.

Gordon