ur scalp." He lowered
his voice and Brill moved nearer to wipe away an imaginary spot on the
bar. "It's Slade you'll have to buck," the boy warned. "There's
likely to be some excitement over in your neighborhood. I'd like right
well to ride for the Three Bar next year. Hold a job for me in the
spring."

The men from the two outfits mingled as unrestrainedly as before and at
last Harris smiled across at Brill.

"Well, have you sized it all up?" he asked.

The storekeeper looked up quickly, knowing that Harris had read his
purpose in drawing him into conversation with the four men. He
polished the bar thoughtfully, then nodded.

"A man in my business has to keep posted--both ways," he said. "I just
wanted to make sure. Five years ago every man would have quit the
Three Bar like a snake--feeling was that strong. But the boys drift
from place to place and they've seen both ends of it. They don't give
a damn one way or the other now. Why should they? They've got nothing
at stake. Five years ago you couldn't have hired a man to ride for
you. Now they'll be pouring in asking for jobs--just because they
figure there'll be some excitement on tap."

The men from the Halfmoon D were due back and inside of an hour they
rode off, leaving only Harris's men and the five card-players in the
place. Harris walked over to the table and the Three Bar men shifted
positions, slouching sidewise at the bar or leaning with their backs to
it, alertly watching this unexpected move as the foreman spoke to the
albino.

"Let's you and I draw off and have a little talk," he said. "If you
can spare the time."

Harper looked up at him in silence. He carefully tilted up the corner
of his hole-card and peeked at it, then turned his other cards face
down on the table.

"Pass," he said, and rose to face Harris. "Lead the way."

Harris moved over to another table and the two men sat down, facing
each other across it. He motioned to Evans and Lanky joined them.
Harris plunged abruptly into what he had to say.

"First off, Harper, I want you to get it straight that I'm not fool
enough to threaten you--for I know you're not any more afraid of me
than I am of you. This is just a little explaining, a business talk,
so we'll both know where we stand. It's up to you whether we let each
other alone or fight."

"Good start," the albino commented. "Go right on."

"All right--it's like this," Harris resumed. "I'm going to have my