they'll
starve him out if a stray bullet don't find its way between them kaigs
an' git him first."

She took the matches and once more paused in the doorway and lighted her
candle. As she disappeared into the interior, Ike Stork shifted his
position upon the edge of the horse trough and grinned broadly as his
eyes rested upon the men huddled together in the darkness in front of
the saloon.

The girl crossed to the bar, and reading the question in the Texan's
eyes, shook her head: "He won't do it," she said, "he's just as mean,
and stubborn, and self-important and as _rude_ as he can be. He says
he's going to arrest you, and he's going to hold you for a few days in
jail to see if there isn't a reward offered for you somewhere. He
thinks, or pretends to think, that you're some terrible desperado."

The cynical smile twisted the Texan's lips: "He'll be sure of it before
he gets through."

"No, no, Tex! Don't shoot anybody--please! Listen, I've got a plan that
will get you out of here. But first, you've got to promise that you will
see Win. We've set our hearts on it, and you _must_."

"What's the good?"

"Please, for my sake, promise me."

The man's eyes devoured her. "I'd do anything in the world for your
sake," he said, simply. "I'll promise. Tell Win to drift over to
Claggett day after tomorrow, an' I'll meet him somewhere along the
trail."

"Surely? You won't disappoint us?"

The man regarded her reproachfully: "You don't think I'd lie to you?"

"No, forgive me, I--" she paused and looked straight into his eyes,
"and, will you promise me one thing more?"

"Tell me straight out what it is, an' I'll tell you straight out what
I'll do."

"Promise me you won't drink any more until--until after you've seen
Win."

The Texan hesitated: "It's only a couple of days. Yes, I'll promise," he
answered, "an', now, what's your plan?"

Alice glanced toward the door, and leaned closer: "It really isn't my
plan at all," she whispered, "but there's a man out there with a big,
drooping faded-looking moustache, he said you did him a good turn by not
shooting him, or something----"

"Ike Stork," grinned the Texan.

Alice nodded: "Yes, that's his name, and he said to tell you it was the
best bet, whatever that is."

"I get him. Go on."

"Well, he says there's some kind of a chute that they slide the
beer-kegs down into the cellar with, and for you to go down and climb up
the chute. It will let you out into the alley