"Want to make ten dollars?" cried Grenfall.

"What say?" demanded the driver, half falling to the ground.

"Get me to P---- inside of twenty minutes, and I'll give you ten
dollars. Hurry up! Answer!"

"Yes, but, you see, I'm hired to--"

"Oh, that's all right! You'll never make money easier. Can you
get us there in twenty minutes?"

"It's four mile, pardner, and not very good road, either. Pile
in, and we'll make it er kill old Hip and Jim. Miss the train?"

"Get yourself ready for a race with an express train and don't
ask questions. Kill 'em both if you have to. I'll be back in a
second!"

Back to the station he tore. She was standing near the door,
looking up the track miserably. Already night was falling. Men
were lighting the switch lanterns and the mountains were turning
into great dark shadows.

"Come quickly; I have a wagon out here."

Resistlessly she was hurried along and fairly shoved through the
open door of the odd-looking coach. He was beside her on the
seat in an instant, and her bewildered ears heard him say: