ds, and under many a pledge of secrecy a number of brothers
from the lodge were allowed to come in and see them, each carrying away
in his pocket some examples of the false money, so cunningly struck
that there was never the slightest difficulty or danger in passing it.
Why, with such a wonderful art at his command, McMurdo should
condescend to work at all was a perpetual mystery to his companions;
though he made it clear to anyone who asked him that if he lived
without any visible means it would very quickly bring the police upon
his track.

One policeman was indeed after him already; but the incident, as luck
would have it, did the adventurer a great deal more good than harm.
After the first introduction there were few evenings when he did not
find his way to McGinty's saloon, there to make closer acquaintance
with "the boys," which was the jovial title by which the dangerous gang
who infested the place were known to one another. His dashing manner
and fearlessness of speech made him a favourite with them all; while
the rapid and scientific way in which he polished off his antagonist in
an "all in" bar-room scrap earned the respect of that rough community.
Another incident, however, raised him even higher in their estimation.

Just at the crowded hour one night, the door opened and a man entered
with the quiet blue uniform and peaked cap of the mine police. This was
a special body raised by the railways and colliery owners to supplement
the efforts of the ordinary civil police, who were perfectly helpless
in the face of the organized ruffianism which terrorized the district.
There was a hush as he entered, and many a curious glance was cast at
him; but the relations between policemen and criminals are peculiar in
some parts of the States, and McGinty himself standing behind his
counter, showed no surprise when the policeman enrolled himself among
his customers.

"A straight whisky, for the night is bitter," said the police officer.
"I don't think we have met before, Councillor?"

"You'll be the new captain?" said McGinty.

"That's so. We're looking to you, Councillor, and to the other leading
citizens, to help us in upholding law and order in this township.
Captain Marvin is my name."

"We'd do better without you, Captain Marvin," said McGinty coldly; "for
we have our own police of the township, and no need for any imported
goods. What are you but the paid tool of the capitalists, hired by them
to club or shoot