district."

McNamara's voice was calm but decisive, his glance keen and alert,
while about him clung such a breath of power and confidence that
it compelled belief even in the face of this astounding speech.

In spite of himself, Wilton Struve, lawyer, rake, and gentlemanly
adventurer, felt his heart leap at what the other's daring
implied. The proposition was utterly past belief, and yet, looking
into the man's purposeful eyes, he believed.

"That's big--awful big--TOO big," the younger man murmured. "Why,
man, it means you'll handle fifty thousand dollars a day!"

Dunham shifted his feet in the silence and licked his dry lips.

"Of course it's big, but Mr. McNamara's the biggest man that ever
came to Alaska," he said.

"And I've got the biggest scheme that ever came north, backed by
the biggest men in Washington," continued the politician. "Look
here!" He displayed a type-written sheet bearing parallel lists of
names and figures. Struve gasped incredulously.

"Those are my stockholders and that is their share in the venture.
Oh, yes; we're incorporated--under the laws of Arizona--secret, of
course; it would never do for the names to get out. I'm showing
you this only because I want you to be satisfied who's behind me."

"Lord! I'm satisfied," said Struve, laughing nervously. "Dunham