s simply mistaken
some miner for Creede."

"He sure has, unless Creede came back to life. I'm not sitting on his
chest now, holding him down."

Kells drew back, manifestly convinced and relieved. This action seemed
to be a magnet for Pearce. He detached himself from the group, and,
approaching Kells, tapped him significantly on the shoulder; and whether
by design or accident the fact was that he took a position where Kells
was between him and Cleve.

"Jack, you're being double-crossed here--an' by more 'n one," he said,
deliberately. "But if you want me to talk you've got to guarantee no
gun-play."

"Speak up, Red," replied Kells, with a glinting eye. "I swear there
won't be a gun pulled."

The other men shifted from one foot to another and there were deep-drawn
breaths. Jim Cleve alone seemed quiet and cool. But his eyes were
ablaze.

"Fust off an' for instance here's one who's double-crossin' you," said
Pearce, in slow, tantalizing speech, as if he wore out this suspense to
torture Kells. And without ever glancing at Joan he jerked a thumb, in
significant gesture, at her.

Joan leaned back against the wall, trembling and cold all over. She read
Pearce's mind. He knew her secret and meant to betray her and Jim. He
hated Kells and wanted to torture him. If only she could think quickly
and speak! But she seemed dumb and powerless.

"Pearce, what do you mean?" demanded Kells.

"The girl's double-crossin' you," replied Pearce. With the uttered words
he grew pale and agitated.

Suddenly Kells appeared to become aware of Joan's presence and that the
implication was directed toward her. Then, many and remarkable as had
been the changes Joan had seen come over him, now occurred one wholly
greater. It had all his old amiability, his cool, easy manner, veiling a
deep and hidden ruthlessness, terrible in contrast.

"Red, I thought our talk concerned men and gold and--things," he said,
with a cool, slow softness that had a sting, "but since you've nerve
enough or are crazy enough to speak of--her--why, explain your meaning."

Pearce's jaw worked so that he could scarcely talk. He had gone too
far--realized it too late.

"She meets a man--back there--at her window," he panted. "They whisper
in the dark for hours. I've watched an' heard them. An' I'd told you
before, but I wanted to make sure who he was.... I know him now!... An'
remember I seen him climb in an' out--"

Kells's whole frame leaped. His gun was a fl