Outwardly, Dennis O'Day had washed his hands of the whole affair. So long
as he escaped legal responsibility, he would shrug his shoulders, and
stand by to watch the fight. He could be eliminated without effecting the
result. But Nora O'Day, who understood her father as no one else had ever
understood him, saw his work here. She knew that for years he had been the
unseen moving power.

The bubble of laughter and fun was about her. She looked up piteously into
Dr. Morgan's face, her lips trembling with emotion. She loved her father.
Shame and fear for him overwhelmed her.

"I--I know--some--some people there. That is why I--I was anxious."

"I wish you would not mention the matter to anyone. We see no reason to
distress Miss Hobart unnecessarily. Her knowing the condition of affairs
would result in needless worry without helping matters any."

"Why--Elizabeth--is she--has she--"

"Her father, you know, Miss O'Day, is the superintendent of the Bitumen
mines."

At that Nora O'Day gave a startled cry, and buried her face in her hands.
"I didn't--know--I didn't know. Poor Elizabeth--" she sobbed.

Her behavior was claiming the attention of others. To shield her from the
attention of the passing throng, Dr. Morgan drew her within the private
office. She anticipated comforting an hysterical girl. But in a moment
Miss O'Day controlled herself.

"When will the troops reach Bitumen?" she asked, drawing herself up, afire
with purpose.

"Not before to-morrow night. That is the earliest possible time. It is
presumed the miners, hearing of the call for help, will bring matters to a
climax at once."

"Dr. Morgan, will you telephone McCantey's livery? They know my father
down there. Tell them to send the man Jefferies if they can, and fast
horses. Elizabeth Hobart and I will go to Bitumen to-night. I'll stop the
trouble."

"Dear child, you're--crazy," said Dr. Morgan, surprised by such a
suggestion.

"Far from it. I'm going, with or without your permission. Please telephone
now, and I'll explain while I await their coming. Tell them it's a matter
of life and death. If I kill the horses with hard driving, I'll pay twice
what they're worth. Every minute counts! Won't you telephone?"

Dr. Morgan obeyed the peremptory request. She believed that news of the
strike had affected Nora until she did not know what she was about. She
would accede to her request, and perhaps by the time the horses were at
the Hall, Miss O'Day would