. There's a cop with his hand at your throat."

"Nora! You're having a nightmare."

"Hold on," George said. "Nora ought to know."

"Yes," she gasped, "and it's straight."

Slim relaxed.

"From your father?"

She nodded.

"How in--"

"I don't know," she said, "but he was sure he'd have a stool with you
to-night. He's tried so long I know he wasn't bragging. Slim! We can't
trip up now. I've worked too hard. You've told me what a mess you made
last time, when that cop, Kridel, was croaked. Where will we be if
anything like that's pulled again?"

"Easy, Nora," Slim said. "Maybe we wouldn't be any worse off than we
were then. Has anybody burned in the chair for that? Does anybody know
who croaked Kridel? Well--the man who did it. Don't lose your nerve. The
cops would have a fine time getting a witness in a murder case out of
this crowd. And, if what you say is so, maybe the same thing will happen
to-night, only in a more convenient spot."

"What are you going to do, Slim?" she asked. "Tie him up, but no more
murder. I quit at that."

"Leave it to me," he muttered. "Show me the bull."

Garth received the words as a condemned man probably hears the voice of
a judge who wears the black cap.

The girl glanced rapidly around. Then, advancing steadily to the table,
she raised her hand and pointed at Garth.

He stared fascinated at the finger which, a few hours ago, he had held
violently in the rush of his passion. He was aware of the flashing eyes
which that afternoon had been wet with tears. But his brain was dull. He
waited patiently for the exposure which now appeared unavoidable because
of the woman he loved.

She spoke evenly.

"Who could it be but this man that hides his face? There's no doubt
about the rest of you. You only have to see, Slim, whether this fellow,
Simmons, has got a face."

"He had the word," the leader answered, "and look at that scar. But
you're right, Nora. If there's a bull here he's behind that mask."

"Then make him take it off," she said.

Garth raised his hands. His croaking voice was torn with dismay.

"No. I warn you. Spare me and yourselves that. It's not pretty, what
you'd see."

"Take it off," the girl repeated.

"I hide it," Garth cried. "For years--Listen, you. If you don't let me
keep a little pride you can do your dirty work without me."

The leader put his hand on Garth's shoulder.

"Now, now," he said soothingly. "Depend on it, Simmons, if you're all
right