ef at parting, and her speechless anxiety
as to the dangers that might beset him, had affected him deeply, and at
first his silence and preoccupation were due to that. But the fighting
blood of the Graeme was in his veins, and against the abominable wrong
these "sharks" would do his father and his scattered friends the young
fellow was bent on giving valiant battle; and he thought he saw his way
to strike and to strike hard.

McCrea had given him the names of most of the sergeants of the old
regiment who, when their time expired, had taken their discharge and
gone to the mines. Among them were three on whom he believed he could
count to back him in a pinch. Among them was the veteran Nolan, on whom
he _knew_ he could count.

McCrea had wired ahead to an old and trusted friend, a resident of
Denver and a successful railway engineer. He was at the station waiting
when the two alighted from their train. It was McCrea's plan to spend
one day in Denver in consultation with certain officials, and then to
spring a surprise on the "board" at Argenta two days later. He had
wired to Fort Reno on the way, urging that one officer, at least, of
those most interested should hasten to Denver and meet him, and in the
hands of Mr. Warden, their engineer friend, was the reply: Captain Lee
would be with them in the morning. To register at a prominent hotel
would simply advertise their coming. Warden had seen to that and
engaged quarters for them near his own. Thither they were to go at
once, and, valises in hand, they followed Warden's lead, McCrea and
their guide talking eagerly together, Geordie following, silent and
observant. Toward the iron gateway they pressed, jostled and elbowed by
hurrying passengers.

"It's but a few blocks' walk," Warden was saying. "I've a cart to take
your grips and we can chat as we go. I thought you'd be glad of a bite
or a cup of tea or something before turning in. Mr. Ross, who wired Dr.
Graham, is here, and he'll meet us at the restaurant. He thinks they
are following him--shadowing him."

"Who?" asked McCrea.

"Why, the crowd that are trying to get control there of Silver Shield.
Some of them live in Argenta, he says, and found out he had been in
correspondence with the doctor, and that it was he who had given
warning." Then, glancing over his shoulder as they neared the gate, and
speaking to Geordie, he continued, "What is the name of the brewer up
there who wanted your place at the Point for his