, holding up a dainty box
tied up with a delicate-colored ribbon. For a moment his audience
believed it to be candy, but he quickly undeceived them. "Now this
yer is dandy truck, though I don't guess ther's a heap o' use fer it
on Suffering Creek. It's fer softening alkali water. When the drummer
told me that, I guessed to him ther wa'an't a heap o' water drunk in
this camp. But he said it wa'an't fer drinkin' water; it was fer
baths. I kind o' told him that wouldn't help the sale any, so he said
it could be used fer washin'. Seein' he couldn't sell me any that way
neither, he got riled an' give me a present of it, an' said he guessed
Sufferin' Creek _did_ use water fer washing gold. Y'see, its price is
a dollar an' a ha'f, but, seein' it's kind o' dead stock, you ken have
it a present."

Bill took it.

"It's mine," he said. And Sandy watched him with some concern.

"You--you ain't takin' a bath?" he inquired nervously.

"Don't talk foolish," cried Bill, and turned again to his scrutiny of
the shelf. "What else you got? Any stummick physic?"

"Sure." Minky held up a small bottle of tabloids. "Camel-hell," he
said, with the assurance of a man who knows the worth of the article
he is offering for sale. "Now this yer is Camel-hell--C-a-l-o-m-e-l.
And I'd sure say the name is appropriate. That doggone 'drummer'
feller said ther' was enough in one o' them bottles to kep the
stummicks of a whole blamed menagerie right fer six months. It's real
dandy--"

He broke off suddenly, and his look of enthusiasm was abruptly
replaced by one of anxious interest that bordered closely on
apprehension. His audience realized the change, and both men glanced
swiftly in the direction whence the storekeeper's gaze had become so
suddenly concentrated. Instantly they became aware that two strangers
had quietly entered the store, and had taken their places at one of
the tables under the open window.

Bill thought he recognized one of the men, but was not sure where he
had seen him. Sandy saw nothing remarkable in their presence, and at
once turned back to the counter.

"More of 'em," said Minky in a low tone, when finally Bill turned back
to him.

"Yes. Many while I bin away?"

"Four or five. All--come along fer a game--it seems." Minky's eyes
were brooding.

Suddenly a light of intelligence sprang into Bill's thoughtful face.

"Ah, I remember one o' them. I see him in Spawn City--in a bum
gamblin' dive."

Sandy suddenly roused