e," replied The Kid.

"That he cannot do. He is very ill."

"Ah! who is he, may I ask?" enquired Stanton, striking a match.

It was promptly blown out.

"I wouldn't do that again," he said gently. "Who is it?" he repeated,
striking another match and lighting the lamp.

"It is Ike," said Shock. "He is very ill--dying, for all I know, and he
wants you."

For answer there was a contemptuous laugh from the Mounted Policeman,
in which Macfarren joined.

"Rather good that," said Macfarren.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," said the boy, making a strenuous effort to pull
himself together. "I hate to leave this good company, but I must go. I
happen to pay Ike wages, but he is my friend. He has asked for me, and
I am going to him."

"Oh, blank it all! Don't be a fool," said the policeman. "Ike's all
right. He has been taking an extra drink, but you can't kill Ike. Wait
for half an hour, and we'll go down and see how he is."

The young lad hesitated. The stranger made a signal to Smiley, and
suddenly Shock found himself; pushed backward from the entrance, and
the door slammed in his face.

"Open that door!" he heard The Kid cry.

There was a murmur in response.

"Open it, I say, Simmons."

Again a murmur.

"No, I am going. I will go myself. Ike wants me." The boy's voice was
loud and hard.

"That's mine," the voice cried again. "Let that go at once!"

There was a sound of scuffling and of falling chairs. With a kick Shock
sent the door flying open, and saw three men struggling with Stanton.
Smiley had wound his long arms, about him from behind, the Inspector
held his arm in a firm grip with one hand and with the other had hold
of the stranger, who had The Kid by the throat. Macfarren was still at
the table, evidently gathering up what lay upon it.

In an instant Shock sprang into the fray. With a single jerk he tore
Smiley from his victim and flung him on the floor. Reaching for the
stranger, who was choking The Kid, he caught his wrist and gave it a
slight turn. With a yell of pain the stranger turned upon him and aimed
a blow at Shock's face. Catching the blow on his arm, Shock seized his
assailant by the shoulder, jerked him clear of his feet, and flung him
far into the corner of the room. At this the policeman immediately gave
back.

For a few seconds The Kid stood swaying unsteadily. Then, after he
recovered his breath he turned to Shock and said, "I hardly expected to
ever feel grateful to you, but I assure