e's done it, because the same
good, red blood is soakin' his bones an' muscles as has soaked the bones
an' muscles o' the Harwoods. Betwixt us, we've got the company out o'
trouble, an' betwixt us, we will keep it out. We'll get you out o'
trouble too, and we'll keep you out o' this! Now we're goin' to hunt up
'Lige an' get him out o' trouble too. We hope he may be worth it."

Uncle Sid straightened and dashed a handkerchief over his swollen face.
Mrs. MacGregor sat pale and silent. When Winston began to speak, she
turned to him with lips that trembled on the verge of speech.

"I deeply regret the necessity of all this, Mrs. MacGregor, but there is
no other way except before an open court." Winston briefly but clearly
set forth the status of the Palm Wells company. He assured Mrs.
MacGregor that Mellin had been effectually and forever silenced, and in
confirmation of his words, showed Mellin's note, from which her name and
Elijah's had been torn. "Now I am going to ask you to sign these papers;
this done, the last obstacle will be removed from your brother's path."

"Suppose I refuse?"

Winston's face set.

"I advise you not to."

Mrs. MacGregor held out her hand for the papers. She affixed her name
where Winston indicated.

"What next?"

Uncle Sid answered.

"There's nothin' more to keep you in California. Just go, an' when you
want money within reason, let me know."

Mrs. MacGregor rose and turned to the door that led to her room. Winston
was before her and held the door ajar, closing it behind her; then he
faced Uncle Sid. The old man approached him and laid a clumsy but
affectionate hand on his shoulder.

"I ain't worth a cuss at quotin' scripture, but it strikes me that it
ain't every one who's yappin' 'Lord, Lord,' as gets into heaven. Now you
go below an' tomorrow we'll lay alongside o' Seymour."

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Winston was at his post when the great "Overland Express" rolled into
the station at Ysleta, with clanging bell and coughing air-pump and
dazzled sunbeams dancing from its varnish.

Winston was an engineer and he was not impervious to a stimulating
thrill at the exhibition of power and progress of which the train was a
type, from the ponderous, six-wheeled locomotive, to the last car of the
shining train that it dragged. This thrill did not interfere with
business and he had imperative, pressing business on hand. His quick eye
singled out the man for whom he was waiting and