said Pearce, in slow, tantalizing speech, as if he wore out this
suspense to torture Kells. And without ever glancing at Joan he
jerked a thumb, in significant gesture, at her.

Joan leaned back against the wall, trembling and cold all over. She
read Pearce's mind. He knew her secret and meant to betray her and
Jim. He hated Kells and wanted to torture him. If only she could
think quickly and speak! But she seemed dumb and powerless.

"Pearce, what do you mean?" demanded Kells.

"The girl's double-crossin' you," replied Pearce. With the uttered
words he grew pale and agitated.

Suddenly Kells appeared to become aware of Joan's presence and that
the implication was directed toward her. Then, many and remarkable
as had been the changes Joan had seen come over him, now occurred
one wholly greater. It had all his old amiability, his cool, easy
manner, veiling a deep and hidden ruthlessness, terrible in
contrast.

"Red, I thought our talk concerned men and gold and--things," he
said, with a cool, slow softness that had a sting, "but since you've
nerve enough or are crazy enough to speak of--her--why, explain your
meaning."

Pearce's jaw worked so that he could scarcely talk. He had gone too
far--realized it too late.

"She meets a man--back there--at her window," he panted. "They