ghtened at the thought of
being some day the owner of the Bar L-M.

"But there's the chance--" he began.

"You are playing for big stakes," Leland reminded him crisply. "Of
course there is a chance. But you exaggerate it. Play the game
through and you will be a rich man before the year is out."

Before Conway could speak there came the clamorous barking of dogs in
the yard and the noise of a horse's shod hoofs. In a moment there was
a heavy booted stride up the steps and along the porch, followed by a
loud rap at the study door. At Leland's nod Garth sprang to his feet
and went quickly to the door, flinging it open.

For a second Sledge Hume's great frame filled the doorway as he paused,
looking in sharply, drawing at his gauntlets. Then, brushing by
Conway, he entered and stood with his back to the fireplace, still
drawing off his gauntlets, his hat still low over his brows.

"Well?" he asked bluntly.

Just the short word, uttered as a command. There would be no wasting
of words before they came straight to business. There was about the
man, emanating apparently from his physical body something oddly like a
materialised aura, bespeaking an aggressive character, a strong,
dominant personality. Conway, alone with Leland, was a school boy in
the presence of his master. Hume, ignoring Garth, challenged that
superiority which Conway's weaker nature acknowledged unconsciously.
The look of his eye, the very carriage of his handsome head, invited
opposition, questioned an authority other than his own. A big, strong
man physically his manner gave the impression that he was a big, strong
man intellectually.

Old Martin did not at once speak but sat very still save for the
restless fingers upon the table top. It was Conway who, after a brief
hesitation, answered.

"We're going to stand pat--"

"I wasn't talking to you, Conway," said Hume coolly. "As far as I am
concerned you aren't even a fifth wheel in this thing and you ought to
know it. I want to know what Leland has got to say."

Garth coloured angrily but made no reply as he turned questioning eyes
to the older man.

"Very well, Mr. Hume," said Leland quietly. "Do you care to sit down
while we thresh things out?"

"No, I'll stand. Go ahead."

"To begin with, Wayne Shandon is back."

"I know he is back," spat out Hume. "That's why I'm here. What are
you going to do now?"

"We are going ahead just as though he weren't here."

"You think