rsham. But
Keith noticed that he had paled a little and his voice had lost some of
its assurance.

"I don't believe the world would be big enough to hide you. I know two
men who would kill you on sight."

"Who is the other one?" asked Wickersham.

"I am not counting myself--yet," said Keith, quietly. "It would not be
necessary. The old squire and Dave Dennison would take my life if I
interfered with their rights."

"You are prudent," said Ferdy.

"I am forbearing," said Keith.

Wickersham's tone was as insolent as ever, but as he leaned over and
reached for a match, Keith observed that his hand shook slightly. And
the eyes that were levelled at Keith through the smoke of his cigarette
were unsteady.

Next morning Ferdy Wickersham had a long interview with Plume, and that
night Mr. Plume had a conference in his private office with a man--a
secret conference, to judge from the care with which doors were locked,
blinds pulled down, and voices kept lowered. He was a stout, youngish
fellow, with a low forehead, lowering eyes, and a sodden face. He might
once have been good-looking, but drink was written on Mr. William Bluffy
now in ineffaceable characters. Plume alternately cajoled him and
hectored him, trying to get his consent to some act which he was
unwilling to perform.

"I don't see the slightest danger in it," insisted Plume, "and you did
not use to be afraid. Your nerves must be getting loose."

The other man's eyes rested on him with something like contempt.

"My nerves're all right. I ain't skeered; but I don't want to mix up in
your ---- business. If a man wants trouble with me, he can get it and he
knows how to do it. I don't like yer man Wickersham--not a little bit.
But I don't want to do it that way. I'd like to meet him fair and full
on the street and settle which was the best man."

Plume began again. "You can't do that way here now. That's broke up. But
the way I tell you is the real way." He pictured Wickersham's wealth,
his hardness toward his employes, his being a Yankee, his boast that he
would injure Keith and shut up his mine.

"What've you got against him?" demanded Mr. Bluffy. "I thought you and
him was thick as thieves?"

"It's a public benefit I'm after," declared Plume, unblushingly. "I am
for New Leeds first, last, and all the time."

"You must think you are New Leeds," observed Bluffy.

Plume laughed.

"I've got nothing against him particularly, though he's injured me
deep