ded up and beauing around a table
girl. I know all about it. Latisan, you----"

"Just a moment, Mr. Flagg!"

"Shaved, right in the start of the driving season! Shut up! I can see
what's happening. I heard you had brought the dynamite. But somebody
else told me. Yes, told me other news! I can't depend on you any longer
to bring me reports. But you're planting something worse than dynamite
under yourself. Parading a girl and keeping me waiting and----"

"Let me warn you, sir. Only my pride in doing a job I have set out to do
is keeping me on with you. If you insult that young lady by another word
I'll quit you cold, here and now!"

There was a moment of silence.

Rickety Dick, sitting on his stool with a cat in his arms, wriggled as
uneasily as did the cat, who had been alarmed by the high voices.

"Talk about dynamite being dangerous!" muttered Flagg. "There's
something else----"

But when he looked into Latisan's countenance he lowered the shade of
the lamp and did not state what the something else was.

"If you know about the dynamite, sir, there's no need of my saying
anything. It's on its way north. I shall start for headwaters at
daybreak. I'll be down to report as soon as possible."

"When you get up on the drive, you stay there, Latisan."

"It's my pledged word that I must report to you in person. You insisted
on it. I don't propose to give you any chance for come-backs. I shall
report, Mr. Flagg."

He walked out.

Soon he heard the pattering of feet behind him on the ledges and he was
hailed cautiously by the quavering voice of old Dick.

"Who is she, Mr. Latisan? Who is that girl?" panted Dick; "I saw her
when she walked with you. I was side of the road."

"And ran and tattled to Flagg, eh?"

"No--no, sir! It was old Dempsey who came and gossiped. But what's her
name?"

"Patsy Jones."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure because she told me so," retorted the drive master. "Her word
goes with me."

"But--but----"

"But what?" Latisan's manner was ominous.

"Of course she knows who she is," faltered old Dick. "And my eyesight
ain't clear--and it was a long time ago--and my memory ain't good, of
course, and----"

"And your wits don't seem to be of the best, either," snapped the young
man. "You and Flagg better keep your tongues off that young lady. Do you
understand?"

"Yes, Mr. Latisan. Yes, sir!"

Latisan stepped back and took hold of Dick by the sleeve of the ragged
jacket. "Who did you