out his revolver
it would slip from his palsied fingers. For the fear of death is a
mighty fear, but it is nothing compared with the fear of man.

"I've asked you a question," said McGurk. "What's your answer?"

There was a quiver in the black forest of Boone's beard, and if Pierre
was cold before, he was sick at heart to see the big man cringe before
McGurk.

He stammered: "Give me time."

"Good," said McGurk. "I'm afraid I know what your answer would be now,
but if you take a couple of days you will think things over and come to
a reasonable conclusion. I will be at Gaffney's place about fifteen
miles from here. You know it? Send your answer there. In the mean
time"--he stepped forward to the table and poured a small drink of
whiskey into a glass and raised it high--"here's to the long health and
happiness of us all. Drink!"

There was a hasty pouring of liquor.

"And you also!"

Pierre jumped as if he had been struck, and obeyed the order hastily.

"So," said the master, pleasant again, and Pierre wiped his forehead
furtively and stared up with fascinated eyes. "An unwilling pledge is
better than none at all. To you, gentleman, much happiness; to you,
Pierre le Rouge, _bon voyage_."

They drank; the master placed his glass on the table again, smiled upon
them, and was gone through the door. He turned his back in leaving.
There was no fitter way in which he could have expressed his contempt.

CHAPTER XIV

MCGURK

The mirth died and in its place came a long silence. Jim Boone stared
upon Pierre with miserable eyes, and then rose and left the room. The
others one by one followed his example. Dick Wilbur in passing dropped
his hand on Pierre's shoulder. Jacqueline was silent.

As he sat there minute after minute and then hour after hour of the
long night Pierre saw the meaning of it. If they sent word that they
would not give up Pierre it was war, and war with McGurk had only one
ending. If they sent word that Pierre was surrendered the shame would
never leave Boone and his men.

Whatever they did there was ruin for them in the end. All this Pierre
conned slowly in his mind, until he was cold. Then he looked up and
saw that the lamp had burned out and that the wood in the fireplace was
consumed to a few red embers.

He replenished the fire, and when the yellow flames began to mount he
made his resolution and walked slowly up and down the floor with it.
For he knew that he mus