Courthorne.

"Yes, but not until you backed the beast and he commenced plunging."

"He plunged once or twice before you caught the bridle."

"Yes," said Winston quietly.

Courthorne laughed. "You are a curious man. It would have cleared the
ground for you."

"No," said Winston dryly. "I don't know that you will understand me,
but I scarcely think it would. It may have been a mistake of mine to
do what I did, but I have a good deal on my shoulders already."

Courthorne made no answer as he led his horse across, the bridge. Then
he mounted, and looked down on the farmer who stood beside him.

"I remember some things, though I don't always let them influence me to
my detriment," he said. "I'm going back to the railroad, and then
West, and don't quite know when you will have the pleasure of seeing me
again."

Winston watched him quietly. "It would be wiser if you did not come
back until I send for you."

CHAPTER XX

COURTHORNE BLUNDERS

Vance Courthorne had lightly taken a good many risks in his time, for
he usually found a spice of danger stimulating, and there was in him an
irresponsible daring that not infrequently served him better than a
well-laid plan. There are also men of his type, who for a time, at
least, appear immune from the disasters which follow the one rash
venture the prudent make, and it was half in frolic and half in malice
he rode to Silverdale dressed as a prairie farmer in the light of day,
and forgot that their occupation sets a stamp he had never worn upon
the tillers of the soil. The same spirit induced him to imitate one or
two of Winston's gestures for the benefit of his cook, and afterwards
wait for a police trooper, who apparently desired to overtake him when
he had just left the homestead.

He pulled his horse up when the other man shouted to him, and trusting
in the wide hat that hid most of his face, smiled out of half-closed
eyes when he handed a packet.

"You have saved me a ride, Mr. Courthorne. I heard you were at the
bridge," the trooper said. "If you'll sign for those documents I
needn't keep you."

He brought out a pencil, and Courthorne scribbled on the paper handed
him. He was quite aware that there was a risk attached to this, but if
Winston had any communications with the police, it appeared advisable
to discover what they were about. Then he laughed, as riding on again
he opened the packet.

"Agricultural Bureau documents," he said. "This lo