e governess. He had
recovered partial poise and his face was pale as wax, his eyes evil.

"I'll mail them, Miss Nicholson," said Sandy. "Let's go." He took Sam
aside as the car swung round and up to the porch. "I'm obliged to you,
Sam," he said. "It was sure comin' to him an' I've been havin' hard work
to keep my hands off him. I've a notion he'll trail better now. If
Brandon arrives befo' we git back, look out fo' him. Mormon'll help you
entertain."

"Seguro," replied Sam. "Look at Keith. He looks like a rattler with his
fangs pulled. I'll bet he c'ud spit bilin' vitriol right now."

"His cud ain't jest what he most fancies, this minute," said Sandy
dryly. "Sorter bitter to chew an' hard to swaller. Sammy," Sandy's voice
changed to affection, his eyes twinkled, "I didn't sabe you an' Miss
Nicholson was so well acquainted."

Sam looked his partner in the eyes and used almost the same words for
which he had just tamed Keith. But he said them with a smile.

"You go plumb to hell!"

* * * * *

Creel, president of the Hereford National Bank, a banker keen at a
bargain, shot out his underlip when Keith, with Sandy in attendance,
tendered him the money for all shares of the Molly Mine sold in
Hereford, including his own.

"You say the mine has petered out?" he asked Keith, with palpable
suspicion. Keith glanced swiftly at Sandy sitting across the table from
him in the little directors' room back of the bank proper. Sandy sat
sphinx-like. As if by accident, his hands were on his hips, the fingers
resting on his gun butts. Keith did not actually fear gunplay, but he
was not sure of what Sandy might do. Sam's bullet, that had undoubtedly
been sped in grim earnest, had unnerved him. Sandy Bourke held the
winning hand.

"That is the news from my superintendent," said Keith. "I wish I could
doubt it. Under the circumstances, consulting with Mr. Bourke, who
represents the majority stock, we concluded there was no other action
for us to take but to recall the shares although the money had actually
passed. Naturally, in the refunding, which I leave entirely to you, it
would be wiser not to precipitate a general panic and to treat the
matter with all possible secrecy."

"Humph!" Keith's suavity did not appear entirely to smooth down Creel's
chagrin at losing what he had considered a good thing. He smelt a mouse
somewhere. "There are only two reasons for repurchasing such stock," he
said crisp