miled Lee,
determined to be pleasant with the young fellow as long as possible.
"But you've got sense enough to listen to reason, Hampton."

"Have I?" jeered Pollock. "Thanks."

"If Miss Sanford wants the deal to go through," continued Lee, "why,
then, of course, through it goes. If she doesn't, there's going to be
no sale."

"I tell you she wired me to sell; I showed you the telegram----"

"But you didn't prove to me that she sent it. You didn't know yourself
whether it had been sent by her or Doan, Rockwell & Haight, or by Bayne
Trevors or the devil himself." He took up the telephone and said into
it, "Western Union, Rocky Bend. . . . That you, Benton? This is Lee
of the Blue Lake. We want to get in communication with Miss Judith
Sanford, somewhere in San Francisco. Send this message to every hotel
there, will you? And rush it: '_Must have word with you immediately.
Important. Telephone_.' Got it? Oh, sign it, Carson and--and Tripp.
Rush it, I tell you, Benton. And if you get in touch with Miss Sanford
in any way, tip us off here, will you? Thanks."

"She might be visiting with friends," muttered Hampton, little pleased
at the thought that Lee and Carson were seeking to rob him of his newly
acquired importance.

"Where's Mrs. Simpson?" asked Lee.

"Gone to bed," answered Hampton.

"And Miss Langworthy is still on the veranda. Now Hampton, Carson and
I want a look at Miss Sanford's room. Come with us, will you?"

"I'm damned if I will!" cried the boy hotly. "I don't know what you
are up to, but I'm boss here and I'm giving orders, not taking them.
If there's any reason in all this, I've got the right to know what it
is."

"Yes," answered Lee thoughtfully. "You've got the right. I just don't
like the looks of affairs, Hampton. I don't believe all that I hear.
I don't believe Miss Sanford sent that wire. I don't believe she is in
San Francisco. I do believe that your friend Trevors has got hold of
her somehow, and that he is playing you for a sucker. That's our
reason in this. Now will you come with us to her room?"

"Trevors?" said Hampton. Then he laughed. "You are like the rest,
Bud. Trevors is a gentleman, and you try to make him a crook. Such a
scheme as you imagine is absurd and ridiculous. And I won't go prying
with you into Judith's room."

"Come on, Carson," said Lee. "If Hampton wants to stay here, let him."

But the young fellow was on his feet, his face flushed, h