h pale now.

"Aye," murmured Lord Nick, "if we could find a judge. My hand turns to
lead when I think of fighting you, Garry."

Perspiration stood on the face of Donnegan.

"Name a judge; I'll abide by the decision."

"Some man--"

"No, no. What man could understand me? A woman, Henry!"

"Nell Lebrun."

"The girl who loves you? You want me to plead before her?"

"Put her on her honor and she'll be as straight as a string with both of
us."

For a moment Donnegan considered, and at length: "She loves you, Henry.
You have that advantage. You have only to let her know that this is a
vital matter to you and she'll speak as you wish her to speak."

"Nonsense. You don't know her. You've seen yourself that no man can
control her absolutely."

"Make a concession."

"A thousand, Garry, dear boy, if they'll get us clear from this horrible
mess."

"Only this. Leave The Corner for a few hours. Give me until--tonight.
Let me see Nelly during that time. You've had years to work on her. I
want only this time to put my own case before her."

"Thank heaven that we're coming to see light and a way out!"

"Aye, Henry."

The big man wiped his forehead and sighed in his relief.

"A minute ago I was ready--but we'll forget all this. What will you do?
How will you persuade Nelly? I almost think that you intend to make love
to her, Garry!"

The little man turned paler still.

"It is exactly what I intend," he said quietly.

The brow of Lord Nick darkened solemnly, and then he forced a laugh.

"She'll be afraid to turn me down, Garry. But try your own way." He bit
his lips. "Why, if you influence her that way--do it. What's a fickle
jade to me? Nothing!"

"However I do it, you'll stick by her judgment, Henry?"

The perspiration had started on Lord Nick's forehead again. Doubt swayed
him, but pride forced him on.

"I'll come again tonight," he said gloomily. "I'll meet you
in--Milligan's?"

"In Milligan's, then."

Lord Nick, without a word of farewell, stamped across the hut and out.

As for Donnegan, he stepped backward, his legs buckled beneath him, and
when big George entered, with a scared face, he found the little man
half sitting on the bunk, half lying against the wall with the face and
the staring eyes of a dead man.

34

It was a long time before Donnegan left the hut, and when he came out
the crowd which had gathered to watch the fight, or at least to mark the
reports of the guns when thos