their
trail until instructions come. I want to get about it right away, but
there's this blamed fellow who knocked out his partner at the Sachem,
and it will take me most of a day's ride before I can hand him on to
Davies. It's a charge that nobody's going to worry about, and it's a
pity he couldn't have escaped. Still, that's the kind of thing that
can't happen too often."

He went out and George turned to Hardie.

"How does the matter strike you?"

"I've an idea that Flett was right in saying it was the limit. There
was a certain romance about these disturbances when they began; they
were a novelty in this part of Canada. People took them lightly, glad
of something amusing or exciting to talk about. It was through popular
indifference that the gang first gained a footing, but by degrees it
became evident that they couldn't be dislodged without a vigorous
effort. People shrank from making it; and, with Beamish backing them,
the fellows got steadily bolder and better organized. All the time,
however, they were really at the mercy of the general body of orderly
citizens. Now they have gone too far; this last affair can't be
tolerated. Instead of apathy, there'll be an outbreak of indignation;
and I expect the people who might have stopped the thing at the
beginning will denounce the police."

George nodded.

"That's my idea. What's our part?"

"I think it's to assist in the reaction. Your story's a striking one.
We had better get it into a newspaper as soon as possible. I suppose
it would be correct to say that Grant was cruelly beaten?"

"His face is blue from jaw to temple. They knocked him nearly
senseless with the butt of a whip, while he was lying, helpless, on the
ground."

"And your horse was badly wounded?"

"I wish it weren't true; there's a gash about eight inches long. If it
will assist the cause, you can say the stab was meant for me."

"Well," said Hardie, "I think it will make a moving tale. I'm afraid,
however, I'll have to lay some stress upon the single-handed rescue."

George looked dubious.

"I'd rather you left that out."

"We must impress the matter on people's thoughts, make it command
attention; a little diplomacy is allowable now and then," said Hardie,
smiling. "Since you don't mind getting yourself into trouble, I don't
see why you should object to being held up to admiration, and it's in
an excellent cause. Now, however, I'll order breakfast for you, and
the