many questions and for the most part the answers
were satisfactory. Really, the judge and sheriff wanted to get rid of
these malefactors if the serious charge of robbery was eliminated.
They were a burden to the state and community. "I begrudge feeding the
dirty skunks," was the sheriff's scornful comment. "Hanging 'em would
terminate expense and trouble."

But two problems hindered a quick solution; would these culprits leave
the country if given a suspended sentence. Judge Withers was giving
them a few days for reflection. Meanwhile Sheriff White was making
their stay as uncomfortable as possible in order to hasten a favorable
decision.

"What's the other problem?" asked Gillis, casually.

"Why, if the dust is recovered, old Maddy wants to give it to me, says
that I earned it. And I'm not going to take it."

During the interview, Welborn had been a quiet listener. On hearing
this last declaration from the visitor, he straightened up to make a
quick inquiry. "Why won't you take it?" he demanded.

"I haven't done anything to earn it," replied young Goff in a low but
firm tone.

There was an interval of silence.

"You see, Maddy is old," the visitor explained. "The awful experience
he's gone through affected him. He wants to contrast the little
service I gave him with what the gangsters did to him. His sentiment
outruns his judgment. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary--just
fed him and doctored him as best I could. I didn't do any more--"

"Is your mother living?" interrupted Welborn. "She must be a gentle,
thoughtful woman, well-grounded in the old fashioned ideas of kindness
in social service, to have raised a son with such ideals. People,
now-a-days, expect pay, even for their charities. You will have much
trouble and many disappointments if you approach a sordid world with
such sentiments."

"Hold on Mister," said the younger man, with much spirit. "Old Maddy's
case is different. His case was not a business transaction, it was a
duty." The young visitor ducked his head to chuckle a little while he
scraped the gravel with the toe of his shoe. "If you run into Andy
Pelser, in about a month from now, you will know what I mean. Andy is
young and bright, but old in the sheep game. I had no scruples in
giving him a good cross-lifting in that sheep trade we made. But this
Maddy case is different. I don't want pay for being neighborly, for
doing my duty to oldsters."

"Back the car out, Jim!" commanded Wel