enter. The man had been drinking.

"So he got away, eh?" he began. "I was afraid he would. Smart
fellow, that Wheaton."

"He didn't get away," said McNamara. "He's in town yet. Just let
me land him in jail on some excuse! I'll hold him till snow
flies." Struve sank into a chair and lit a cigarette with wavering
hand.

"This's a hell of a game, ain't it, Mac? D'you s'pose we'll win?"

The man overhead pricked up his ears.

"Win? Aren't we winning? What do you call this? I only hope we can
lay hands on Wheaton. He knows things. A little knowledge is a
dangerous thing, but more is worse. Lord! If only I had a MAN for
judge in place of Stillman! I don't know why I brought him."

"That's right. Too weak. He hasn't got the backbone of an
angleworm. He ain't half the man that his niece is. THERE'S a girl
for you! Say! What'd we do without her, eh? She's a pippin!"
Glenister felt a sudden tightening of every muscle. What right had
that man's liquor-sodden lips to speak so of her?

"She's a brave little woman all right. Just look how she worked
Glenister and his fool partner. It took nerve to bring in those
instructions of yours alone; and if it hadn't been for her we'd
never have won like this. It makes me laugh to think of those two
men stowing her away in their state-room while they slept between