ollar-bone gone, too, but if there's
nothing busted inside he'll come round. The other one has been stone
dead since the engine hit him."

There were further proffers of help from several of his comrades, who,
as usual with their kind, possessed some knowledge of rude surgery.
When all that was possible had been done for the living, Savine was
drawn aside by Shackleby.

"This is what he dropped on the platform--I picked it up quietly," he
said, holding out an ivory-handled revolver. "No use letting any ugly
tales get round or raking up that other story, is it? I don't know
whether Thurston induced Leslie's wife to run off or not--from what I
have heard of him I hardly think he did--but one may as well let things
simmer down gracefully."

"I am grateful for your thoughtfulness," replied Savine. "Probably it
is more than he would have done for you. This is hardly the time to
discuss such questions, but what has happened can't affect our
position. Still, personally, I may not feel inclined to push merely
vindictive measures against you."

"I didn't think it would change matters," said Shackleby, with a shrug.
"If I should be wanted I'm open to describe the--accident--and let
other details slide. The railroad fellows suspect nothing. Thurston
has made your side a strong one, and in a way I don't blame him. If he
had stood in with me, we'd have smashed up your brother completely."

CHAPTER XXIX

A REVELATION

Two persons were strangely affected and stirred to unexpected action by
the news of Thurston's injury, and the first of these was Julius
Savine. It was late next night when his brother's messenger arrived at
the ranch, for Thomas had thought of nothing but the sufferer's welfare
at first, and Savine lay, a very frail, wasted figure, dozing by the
stove. His sister-in-law sat busy over some netting close at hand.
Both were startled when a man, who held out a soiled envelope, came in
abruptly. Savine read the message and tossed the paper across to Mrs.
Savine before he rose shakily to his feet.

"I would sooner have heard anything than that Geoffrey was badly hurt,"
he exclaimed with a quaver in his voice. To the Chinaman, who brought
the stranger in, he gave the order, "Get him some supper and tell
Fontaine I want him at once."

"Poor Geoffrey! We must hope it is not serious," cried Mrs. Savine
with visible distress. "But sit down. You can't help him, and may
bring on a seizure by exciti