pted him. Before he realized what was happening the blind man
was at his side with a grip on his arm that made him wince.

"Stop it!" he cried fiercely. "Stop it, you fool! Another word and,
blind as I am, I'll----" Jake struggled to release himself, but
Marbolt held him with almost superhuman strength and slowly backed him
from his intended victim. "Back! Do you hear? I'll have no murder done
in here--unless I do it myself. Get back--back, blast you!" And Jake
was slowly, in spite of his continued struggles, thrust against the
wall. And then, as he still resisted, Marbolt pushed the muzzle of a
revolver against his face. "I'll drop you like a hog, if you
don't----"

But the compelling weapon had instant effect, and the foreman's
resistance died out weakly.

The whole scene had occurred so swiftly that Tresler simply stood
aghast. The agility, the wonderful sureness and rapidity of movement
on Marbolt's part were staggering. The whole thing seemed impossible,
and yet he had seen it; and the meaning of the stories of this man he
had listened to came home to him. He was, indeed, something to fear.
The great bullying Jake was a child in his hands. Now like a whipped
child, he stood with his back to the wall, a picture of hate and fury.

With Jake silenced Marbolt turned on him. His words were few but
sufficient.

"And as for you, Tresler," he said coldly, "keep that tongue of yours
easy. I am master here."

There was a brief silence, then the rancher returned to the subject
that had caused the struggle.

"Well, what about the men for Willow Bluff, Jake?"

It was Tresler who answered the question, and without a moment's
hesitation.

"I should like to go out there, Mr. Marbolt. Especially if there's
likely to be trouble."

It was the only position possible for him after what had gone before,
and he knew it. He glanced at Jake and saw that, for the moment at
least, his hatred for his employer had been set aside. He was smiling
a sort of tigerish smile.

"Very well, Tresler," responded the rancher. "And you can choose your
own companion. You can go and get ready. Jake," turning to the other,
"I want to talk to you."

Tresler went out, feeling that he had made a mess of things. He gave
Jake credit for his cleverness, quite appreciating the undying hate
that prompted it. But the thing that was most prominent in his
thoughts was the display the blind man had given him. He smiled when
he thought of Jake's boasted