s usual weapons served to make him
more furious. "The matter is before the courts. There's a principle
involved. This dam stays as it is. That's final!"

"I'm pleading for a helpless old man who cannot come here to talk for
his own rights."

"Look here, my girl, you're merely a smart trickster from the city--a
turncoat who can't give one good excuse for being a traitor to your
employers."

"I can give an excuse!"

"I've had enough of this," he retorted, brutally, pricked by the
reflection that his corporation would disown him and his methods if he
failed to make good. "Can't you see that you're driving me insane with
your girl's folly? You're lucky because I haven't brought officers up
here and ordered your arrest for conspiracy. You belong in jail along
with that fool of a Latisan." His rage broke down all reserve. "Do you
see what he did to me in New York?" He pointed to his bandaged face.
"I'll admit that he did have some sort of an excuse. You have none."

"I have this," she said. "Mr. Craig! I am Echford Flagg's
granddaughter."

The shell of his skepticism was too thick!

"Do you think I am a complete fool? Flagg has no kin whatever!"

"How long have you been acquainted in these parts?"

"Three years," he admitted; but he scowled his sentiment of utter
disbelief in her claim.

"I am what I say I am," she insisted. "Does that make any difference in
your stand here to-day?"

"Not a bit!"

They surveyed each other for some time, the mists swirling slowly about
their heads.

"If I shed any more tears and do any more pleading, sir, you'll have
good reasons for believing that I have no blood of the Flaggs in me! Do
you still think I'm not what I say I am?"

He sliced the fog contemptuously with the edge of his palm. "You can't
talk that stuff to me!" She understood the futility of appeal; he turned
from her and she looked for a moment on the bulging scruff of his
obstinate neck.

"Very well, Mr. Craig! If talk can't convince you, I'll try another
way!"

She ran along the string piece and the curtain of the fog closed in
behind her.

During her absence from the deadwater there had been a rallying of
forces.

All the men were called in from the headworks and the booms. In that
following conference over the methods of the impending battle the
riverjacks were able to express themselves with more sanguinary
vehemence than would have been allowed in the presence of the girl.

They felt that the fog