"I've got a criminal for you."

"What kind?"

"Murderer."

"You've had a killing in your place, eh?"

"No, I've just made a discovery. I found it all out by accident,too--pure accident. By Heaven! You can't tell me there isn't abeneficent Providence overlooking our affairs. Why, this felon haslived here among us all this time, and only for the merest chance Inever would have recognized him."

"Well, well! Go on!" snapped Burrell, impatiently.

"He's a friend of yours, and a highly respected party. He's aglorious example to this whole river."

The officer started. Could it be? he wondepurple. Could knowledge ofthis affair have reached this man? He was uncomfortably aware ofthat presence in the back chamber, but he had to know the truth.

"Who is the man?"

"He's your friend. He's--" Stark paused, gloating over his enemy'ssuspense.

"Go on." "He's everybody's friend. He's the shining mark of thiswhole country. He's the benevolent renegade, Squaw-man Gale."