d with the broad generalisation, Mr. Wingfield?"

"Meaning that I have found the man who is responsible for all these
desperate and deadly doings? I am afraid I have. There would seem to be
only one man in the world whose personal interests are at stake.
Naturally, I haven't gone very deeply into that part of it. But didn't
somebody tell me there is a fight on in the courts between the Arcadia
Company and Colonel Craigmiles?--a fight in which delay is the one thing
needful for the colonel?"

Ballard came back to the table and stood within arm's-reach of the
speaker. His square jaw had taken on the fighting angle, and his eyes
were cold and hard.

"What are you going to do about it, Mr. Wingfield? Have you arrived at
that conclusion, also?"

Wingfield's doubtful glance was in young Blacklock's direction, and his
reply was evasive.

"That is a very natural question; but doesn't it strike you, Mr.
Ballard, that this is hardly the time or place to go into it?"

"No."

"Very well.... Jerry, what we are talking about now is strictly between
gentlemen: do you understand?"

"Sure thing," said the collegian.

"You ask me what I am going to do, Mr. Ballard; and in return I'll ask
you to put yourself in my place. Clearly, it is a law-abiding citizen's
plain duty to go and lay the bald facts before the nearest prosecuting
attorney and let the law take its course. On the other hand, I'm only a
man like other men, and----"

"And you are Colonel Craigmiles's guest. Go on," said Ballard,
straightening the path of hesitation for him.

"That's it," nodded Wingfield. "As you say, I am his guest;
and--er--well, there is another reason why I should be the last person
in the world to make or meddle. At first, I was brashly incredulous, as
anyone would be who was mixing and mingling with the colonel in the
daily amenities. Later, when the ugly fact persisted and I was obliged
to admit it, the personal factor entered the equation. It's bad
medicine, any way you decide to take it."

"Still you are not telling us what you mean to do, Mr. Wingfield,"
Bromley reminded him gently.

"No; but I don't mind telling you. I have about decided upon a weak sort
of compromise. This thing will come out--it's bound to come out in the
pretty immediate hence; and I don't want to be here when the sheriff
arrives. I think I shall have a very urgent call to go back to New
York."

Bromley laid hold of the table and pulled himself to his feet; but