a hardness in his voice. "You have
been here a good many times, Larry, and we did our best for you. None of
us fancied that you would repay us by coming back with a mob of rabble to
pull the place down."

Grant winced perceptibly. "Nobody is more sorry than I am, sir."

"Aren't you a trifle late?"

"I came as soon as I got word."

Torrance made a little gesture of impatience. "That's not what I mean.
There is very little use in being sorry now. Before the other fools you
joined started there talking there was quietness and prosperity in this
country. The men who had made it what it is got all, but nothing more than
they were entitled to, and one could enjoy what he had worked for and
sleep at night. This was not good enough for you--and this is what you
have made of it."

He stretched out his arm with a forceful gesture, pointing to the men with
rifles, the two white-faced girls, and the splinters on the wall, then
dropped his hand, and Larry's eyes rested on the huddled figure lying by
the stove. He moved towards it, and bent down without a word, and it was
at least five minutes before he came back again, his face dark and stern.

"You have done nothing for him?" he said.

[Illustration: "AREN'T YOU A TRIFLE LATE?"--Page 160.]

"No," said Torrance, "we have not. I guess nature knows what's best for
him, and I didn't see anything to be gained by rousing him with brandy to
start the bleeding."

"Well, first of all, I want that man."

"You can have him. We had meant him for the Sheriff, but what you did just
now lays me in your debt, and I would not like to feel I owed you
anything."

Grant made a little gesture. "I don't think I have quite deserved that,
sir. I owe you a good deal, and it makes what I have to do harder still.
Can't you remember that there was a time when you were kind to me?"

"No," said Torrance drily. "I don't want to be reminded when I have done
foolish things. I tried to warn you, but you would not listen to me, that
the trail you have started on will take you a good deal farther than you
meant to go. If you have anything to tell me, I would sooner talk
business. Are you going to bring your friends round here at night again?"

"They came without me, and, if I can help it, will not come back. This
thing will be gone into, and the leaders punished by our committee. Now,
are you willing to stop the intimidation of the storekeepers, which has
brought about this trouble, and let us get pro