areless words about that watch and money, drove all
other thoughts from Talpers's mind. Jim McFann could be made a deadly
and certain instrument for insuring the safety of the Talpers skin. One
shot from the half-breed's rifle, either through a cabin window or from
some sagebrush covert near the ranch, and the trader need have no
further fears about being connected with the Dollar Sign murder.

"I thought you'd see it in the right light, Jim," approved Talpers. "It
won't be any trick at all to get her. She rides out a good deal on that
white horse."

Jim McFann did not answer. He had begun preparations for his trip.
Swiftly and silently the half-breed saddled his horse, which had been
hidden in a near-by thicket. From the supply of liquor in Talpers's
pack, Jim took a bottle, which he was thrusting into his saddle pocket
when the trader snatched it away.

"You've had enough, Jim," growled Talpers. "You do the work that's cut
out for you, and you can have all I've brought to camp. I'll be here
waitin' for you."

McFann scowled.

"All right," he said sullenly, "but it seems as if a man ought to have
lots for a job like this."

"After it's all done," said Talpers soothingly, "you can have all the
booze you want, Jim. And one thing more," called the trader as McFann
rode away, "remember it ain't goin' to hurt either of us if you get a
chance to put the Indian agent away on this same little trip."

Jim McFann waved an assenting sign as he disappeared in the trees, and
the trader went back to the camp-fire to await the half-breed's return.
He hoped McFann would find the agent at the Greek Letter Ranch and would
kill Lowell as well as the girl. But, if there did not happen to be any
such double stroke of luck in prospect, the removal of the Indian agent
could be attended to later on.

When he reached the mesas beyond the foothills, the half-breed turned
away from the stream and struck off toward the left. He kept a sharp
lookout for Indian police as he traveled, but saw nothing to cause
apprehension. Night was fast coming on when he reached the ridge on
which Lowell and Helen had stood a few hours before. Avoiding the road,
the half-breed made his way to a gulch near the ranch, where he tied his
horse. Cautiously he approached the ranch-house. The kitchen door was
open and Wong was busy with the dishes. The other doors were shut and
shades were drawn in the windows. Making his way back to the gulch, the
half-breed ro