im here for an uncertain length of time. For other
reasons it was necessary that I go to any length to accomplish my ends.

"I had another man--Lawlor, who looks something like me--take my place
in the eyes of Bard. But Bard grew suspicious of the deception. Finally
a girl entered and called Lawlor by name, as they were sitting at the
table with all the men around them. Bard rose at once with a gun in his
hand.

"Put yourself in his place. He found that he had been deceived, he knew
that he was surrounded by armed men, he must have felt like a cornered
rat. He drew his gun and started for the door, warning the others that
he meant to go the limit in order to get free. Mind you, it was no
sudden gun-play.

"Then I ordered the men to keep him at all costs within the room. He saw
that they were prepared to obey me, and then he took a desperate chance
and shot down the gasoline lamp which hung over the table. In the
explosion and fire which resulted he made for the door. One man blocked
the way, levelled a revolver at him, and then Bard shot in self-defence
and downed Calamity Ben. I ask you, Glendin, is that self defence?"

The other drummed his finger-tips nervously against his chin; he was
thinking hard, and every thought was of Steve Nash.

"So far, all right. I ain't askin' your reasons for doin' some pretty
queer things, Mr. Drew."

"I'll stand every penalty of the law, sir. I only ask that you see that
punishment falls where it is deserved only. The case is clear. Bard
acted in self-defence."

Glendin was desperate.

He said at length: "When a man's tried in court they bring up his past
career. This feller Bard has gone along the range raisin' a different
brand of hell everywhere he went. He had a run-in with two gunmen,
Ferguson and Conklin. He had Eldara within an ace of a riot the first
night he hit the town. Mr. Drew, that chap looks the part of a killer;
he acts the part of a killer; and by God, he is a killer."

"You seem to have come with your mind already made up, Glendin," said
the rancher coldly.

"Not a bit. But go through the whole town or Eldara and ask the boys
what they think of this tenderfoot. They feel so strong that if he was
jailed they'd lynch him."

Drew raised a clenched fist and then let his arm fall suddenly limp at
his side.

"Then surely he must not be jailed."

"Want me to let him wander around loose and kill another man--in
self-defence?"

"I want you to use reason--and