onnegan thought of the colonel and smiled.

"In that case, of course, I shouldn't care at all." He added: "But do
you mean all this?"

"You shall see."

They talked only a moment longer and then Donnegan left the hall with
the girl on his arm. Certainly the thoughts of all in Milligan's
followed that pair; and it was seen that Donnegan took her to the door
of her house and then went away through the town and up the hill. And
big George followed him like a shadow cast from a lantern behind a man
walking in a fog.

In the hut on the hill, Donnegan put George quickly to work, and with a
door and some bedding, a litter was hastily constructed and swung
between the two horses. In the meantime, Donnegan climbed higher up the
hill and watched steadily over the town until, in a house beneath him,
two lights were shown. He came back at that and hurried down the hill
with George behind and around the houses until they came to the
pretentious cabin of the gambler, Lebrun.

Once there, Donnegan went straight to an unlighted window, tapped; and
it was opened from within, softly. Nelly Lebrun stood within.

"It's done," she said. "Joe and the Pedlar are sound asleep. They drank
too much."

"Your father."

"Hasn't come home."

"And Jack Landis?"

"No matter what you do, he won't wake up; but be careful of his
shoulder. It's badly torn. How can you carry him?"

She could not see Donnegan's flush, but she heard his teeth grit. And
he slipped through the window, gesturing to George to come close. It was
still darker inside the room--far darker than the starlit night outside.
And the one path of lighter gray was the bed of Jack Landis. His heavy
breathing was the only sound. Donnegan kneeled beside him and worked his
arms under the limp figure.

And while he kneeled there a door in the house was opened and closed
softly. Donnegan stood up.

"Is the door locked?"

"No," whispered the girl.

"Quick!"

"Too late. It's father, and he'd hear the turning of the key."

They waited, while the light, quick step came down the hall of the
cabin. It came to the door, it went past; and then the steps retraced
and the door was opened gently.

There was a light in the hall; the form of Lebrun was outlined black and
distinct..

"Jack!" he whispered.

No sound; he made as if to enter, and then he heard the heavy breathing
of the sleeper, apparently.

"Asleep, poor fool," murmured the gambler, and closed the door.

The door