ing a tight game providing he is on the level, but when he
makes a crooked move, it's time for the rest of us to take a hand. My
Billie tells me you are an old acquaintance of this man Wiley and I am
going to ask you one question straight, Sir. Do you know anything good
of him?"

"Well," Thode temporized, "he's rated a millionaire in New York and his
father was one of the pioneer Pennsylvania oil men. He is a partner of
Harrington Chase, and together they hold some of the best leases in
this part of the country, I understand."

"They do. But I was speaking of the man himself." Gentleman Geoff's
eyes smiled a perfect understanding. "I was wondering if there could
be some point in his favor that I'd overlooked."

"In that case, we've been mutually blind," said Thode, frankly. "I met
him first out in Oklahoma two years ago, and I've run across him more
than once since, and I don't mind telling you candidly that each
meeting has given me less pleasure. I didn't expect to encounter him
down here, and I guess Limasito is big enough to hold us both, but if
he wants to see me after to-day he knows where to find me."

The older man nodded, slowly.

"I reckoned as much. He hasn't been any favorite since he blew in
here, to draw it mild, but he's getting just a little bit too offensive
for the good of the community. I know his breed, but I didn't think
even he would snap at my Billie's heels. I would have looked you up at
the hotel to-night to shake hands with you for what you did this
afternoon, Mr. Thode, but Billie told me you intended to pay us a
little visit."

"It was a pleasure," the other responded with sincerity. "It has been
coming to Wiley for a long time. But your daughter had the situation
well in hand. She is a remarkable young woman."

"She is an honest one, honest with herself and the world. There wasn't
much else I could teach her and it hasn't been possible for her to have
regular schooling and the influence of women. I've always reckoned
fair play was about the biggest thing in life, and woman-like she's
gone further than my teachings and worked out an eye-for-an-eye creed
of justice for herself that would shame a vigilance committee, but
she's wholesome and sound in mind and limb."

"I've learned a little of what they think of her in this town." Thode
hesitated, and then went on earnestly. "I know the strict code of even
the roughest mining camps up over the border, where good women a