party
sought, and she would go forward, playing the game he desired, believing
herself right, totally unconscious of any fraud. The very simplicity of
it rendered the plot the more dangerous, the more difficult to expose.
Hawley had surely been favored by fortune in discovering this singer who
chanced to resemble Hope so remarkably, and who, at the same time, was
in such ignorance as to her own parentage. She would be ready to grasp
at a straw, and, once persuaded as to her identity and legal rights,
could henceforth be trusted implicitly as an ally.

Realizing all this, and comprehending also how easily Hawley would win
her confidence and overcome his warning by denouncing him as a fugitive
from justice charged with murder, the temptation to return and fight it
out then and there became almost overpowering. He had no fear of Hawley;
indeed, physical fear had scarcely a place in his composition, but he
was not as yet sufficiently fortified with facts for the seeking of such
an encounter. He could merely guess at the truth, unable to produce any
proof with which to meet the gambler's certain denial.

A man came in through the office, and began climbing the stairs. He was
almost at the landing before Keith recognized him or the other glanced
up.

"Ah--seen her, I suppose?"

"Yes," returned Keith, not thinking it worth while to mention the lady's
denial of having sent for him, "I have just come from there."

"Hum--thought you'd be through by this time--fine looking girl, ain't
she?--believe I'll run in and chat with her myself."

"I would advise you to select some other time, Doctor," said the
younger, drily, "as the lady has a visitor at present."

"A visitor?" his face rosy, his shrewd eyes darkening. "Ah, indeed! Of
the male sex?"

"I judge so--'Black Bart' Hawley."

"Good Lord!" so startled his voice broke. "Did he see you?"

"Rather; I backed him up against the wall with a gun while I made my
adieu."

"But what brought him there? Are they acquainted?"

"Don't ask conundrums, Doctor. He may be your rival with the fair
lady for all I know. If he is, my sympathies are all with you. Only
I wouldn't try to see Miss Christie just now; I'd wait for a clearer
field. Hawley is probably not in the best of humor."

Fairbain stared into the face of the speaker, uncertain whether or not
he was being laughed at.

"Reckon you're right," he acknowledged at last. "Tired, anyhow--been
out all night--thought I'd like t