e from the
law!"

"Too late," said the deputy.

It did not seem that Drew heard him. He stepped closer and turned his
head.

"What's that?"

"Too late. I've sent out men to--to apprehend Bard."

"Apprehend him?" repeated Drew. "Is it possible? To murder him, you
mean!"

He had not made a threatening move, but the deputy had his grip on the
butt of his gun.

"It was that devil Nash. He persuaded me to send out a posse with him in
charge."

"And you sent him?"

"What could I do? Ain't it legal?"

"Murder is legal--sometimes. It has been in the past. I've an idea that
it's going to be again."

"What d'you mean by that?"

"You'll learn later. Where did they go for Bard?"

He did not seem disappointed. He was rather like a man who had already
heard bad news and now only finds it confirmed. He knew before. Now the
fact was simply clinched.

"They went out to your old place on the other side of the range. Drew,
listen to me--"

"How many went after him?"

"Nash, Butch Conklin, and five more. Butch's gang."

"Conklin!"

"I was in a hole; I needed men."

"How long have they been gone?"

"Since last night."

"Then," said Drew, "he's already dead. He doesn't know the mountains."

"I give Nash strict orders not to do nothin' but apprehend Bard."

"Don't talk, Glendin. It disgusts me--makes my flesh crawl. He's alone,
with seven cutthroats against him."

"Not alone. Sally Fortune's better'n two common men."

"The girl? God bless her! She's with him; she knows the country. There
may be a hope; Glendin, if you're wise, start praying now that I find
Bard alive. If I don't--"

The swinging doors closed behind him as he rushed through toward his
horse. Glendin stood dazed, his face mottled with a sick pallor. Then he
moved automatically toward the bar. Murphy hobbled down the length of
the room on his wooden leg and placed bottle and glass before the
deputy.

"Well?" he queried.

Glendin poured his drink with a shaking hand, spilling much liquor
across the varnished wood. He drained his glass at a gulp.

"I dunno; what d'you think, Murphy?"

"You heard him talk, Glendin. You ought to know what's best."

"Let's hear you say it."

"I'd climb the best hoss I owned and start west, and when I come to the
sea I'd take a ship and keep right on goin' till I got halfway around
the world. And then I'd climb a mountain and hire a couple of dead-shots
for guards and have my first night's sleep. After th