ake this risk you will not be in a
position later to realize that your judgment was at fault. That,
however, is your business and not mine," he concluded cheerfully,
lifting his weapon slightly and taking aim.

"For the last time---- Do you give me the map, or do I give you a pass
to kingdom come?"

The girl moved forward so that she stood directly between me and the
weapon. She was taking a paper from her hand-bag, but she did not lower
her eyes to direct her hands in their search.

"I reckon I couldn't make you understand how I despise you--and hate
you! I'd rather be kin to the poorest beggar who sweeps the streets down
there than to you," she flamed, flinging before him a paper.

Warily he picked it up and glanced at it, still covering me carefully.

"This is the map, is it?"

"You may see for yourself," she blazed.

"It is really very good of you to ask me to keep it for you, Evie. I'll
take good care of it--not a doubt of that. It's far better in my hands
than yours, for of course you might be robbed."

His impudent smile derided her contempt. For me--I wouldn't have faced
that look of hers for twenty maps.

"We're not through with you yet," I told him.

In gay reproof he shook a finger at me.

"Ah! There speaks the lawyer. You'll bring an action, will you?"

It annoyed me to be playing so poor a part before Miss Wallace.

"You're an infernal scoundrel!"

"I could argue you out of that uncharitable opinion if I had time, Mr.
Sedgwick. But I'm devilishly _de trop_--the superfluous third, you know.
My dear cousin frowns at me. 'Pon my word, I don't blame her. But you'll
excuse me for intruding, won't you? I plead the importance of my
business. And I'm very glad of an excuse for meeting you formally, Mr.
Sedgwick. The occasion has been enjoyable and will, I trust, prove
profitable. I'll not say good-bye--hang me if I do. We'll make it _au
revoir_. Eh?"

An imp of malicious deviltry danced in his eyes. It was not necessary to
tell me that he was having a pleasant time.

"_Au revoir_ be it," I nodded, swallowing my bad temper.

Once more he gave us his bland smile, a bow of audacious effrontery,
then whipped open the door and was gone.

It may be guessed he left me in no exultant mood. From the first the
fellow had taken and held the upper hand. I had come through with no
distinction at all and had let him walk off with the booty. But if there
be those who think my spirit small I ask them to remem