ing to be done. He
knew his man. And already Shandon had found an occupation which was to
keep him busy and far from unhappy day and night.

News of the outside world came to him in the few meetings with Wanda
which were bright highlights in his life. She dared not come too often
for MacKelvey himself or one of his deputies was a frequent and
unheralded guest at Leland's. But she came when she could, meeting him
below the cliffs, her camera serving as her reason for going into the
forests, bringing him books, little delicacies surreptitiously prepared
by her own hands, a newspaper now and then rescued from Julia's wood
box, prints of the pictures she had taken. Wanda still saw Dart
frequently, and from his gossiping lips brought word of what occurred
upon the Bar L-M. Garth Conway, she had not seen. Her father heard
from him by post, saw him now and then in the outside world; she did
not know what Conway was doing but imagined that he was keeping in
touch with Leland for the sake of the irrigation scheme which seemed a
still born failure.

Through Wanda and Dart a meeting between Shandon and Big Bill was
arranged. The two men met after dark near the head of Laughter Lake;
Shandon gave his detailed orders to his foreman, assuring him that
Brisbane was at work upon the case and that before long word would come
from him for the fugitive to give himself up; there would be a quick
preliminary hearing and he would be released. Shandon's optimism
glowed into warmer life with the warming of the spring sun. Little
Saxon must be kept in condition; arrangements must be made for the open
handed welcome and hospitality to be afforded the crowds that would
come up for the races in June. There would be much for Big Bill to
superintend: choice beeves must be brought up for the barbecue; a rude
platform must be constructed for the dance which was to conclude the
day of festivity. In every detail Big Bill took his orders gravely and
obeyed them to the letter.

In another matter Big Bill had long ago acted, having been informed in
the early winter of Shandon's wishes. Ettinger was told that sooner or
later the man whose property controlled the upper waters of the river
flowing from Laughter Lake would come back. When he did return he was
going to do just the thing Ettinger himself had suggested. Ettinger
was to hold out, and induce the others to hold out with him if he
could. And, since Leland was stubborn, since the wh