ly wanted to see that everything was straight and aboveboard,"
he told the doctor. "And there wouldn't have been no fuss there at all
if Sophy McGurn hadn't come out kinder crazy; the way them excitable
women-folks does, sometimes."

"What did she do?" asked Dr. Starr.

"Oh, she went an' accused that young 'ooman over there of havin' tried
to murder Hugo. Said somethin' about the gal wantin' to get square on
him for--for somethin' or other as ain't very clear. But soon as Pat
Kilrea he begins to pin her down to facts she takes it all back an'
says she don't really know nothin'."

"Thanks, Mr. Prouty, I'm very much obliged to you. I'll stroll over
there."

He walked over to the general store and post-office where he was
greeted by old McGurn, who at his request produced a box of cigars.

"Yes, Doc, I can recommend them," he said. "There was a drummer
stopped here last week who said they smelled just like real Havanas. I
bought two barrels of crockery off him."

The doctor nodded, admiring the drummer's diplomacy, and walked over
to the other counter behind which Miss Sophy was standing.

"How do you do, Miss McGurn?" he said, amiably.

"How d'ye do? How's Hugo--Hugo Ennis?" she asked, eagerly.

"He may perhaps pull through, though he's still hanging on to a pretty
thin chance. I suppose you know that you're soon going to be called as
a witness?"

"Me?" she exclaimed. "What for?"

"Well, that story about an accident looks rather fishy to me, you
know. I have an idea that it wouldn't be a bad thing to have the
sheriff come over here and investigate things a little. We're
beginning to get too civilized on this line to stand for gun-play.
I've talked over the matter with some of the people who went with you
to Roaring River, and I gather that you are the only one who can
enlighten us a little."

"I--I don't know anything!" she stammered.

"You're probably too modest, Miss McGurn, or you may perhaps be trying
to shield some one. That shows your kind heart, of course, but it
won't quite do for the law. At any rate you will tell us what aroused
your suspicions. It's very important, you know, for the slightest clue
may be of service. And then, of course, there is the matter of the
letters."

"What letters?" cried the girl, biting her lips.

"Oh, just some letters that passed through this office. Let me see,
where did I put them? Always indispensable to secure all documents.
Miss Nelson gave them to me."

Ve