evicted man plunged forward alone, Winston, straightening himself
suddenly, saw that Colonel Barrington was looking down on him, and that
his niece was seated at his side. He stood still, flushed and
breathless, with his jacket hanging rent half-way up about him, and the
Colonel's voice was quietly ironical.

"I had a question or two to ask you, but can wait," he said. "No doubt
I shall find you less engaged another time."

He flicked the horse, and as the buggy rolled away the other man walked
up to Winston.

"While I only wanted to get rid of you before, I feel greatly tempted
to give you your wish now," said the latter.

The stranger laughed dryly. "I guess you needn't worry. I don't fight
because I'm fond of it, and you're not the man."

"Not the man?" said Winston.

"No, sir," said the other. "Not like him, now I can see you better.
Well, I'm kind of sorry I started a circus here."

A suspicion of the truth flashed upon Winston. "What sort of a man was
the one you mistook for me?"

"Usual British waster. Never done a day's work in his life, and never
wanted to, too tired to open his eyes more than half-way when he looked
at you, but if he ever fools round the saloon again, he'll know what he
is before I'm through with him."

Winston laughed. "I wouldn't be rash or you may get another
astonishment," he said. "We really know one or two useful things in
the old country, but you can't fetch the settlement before morning, and
we'll put you up if you like."

"No, sir," said the other dryly. "I'm not fond of Englishmen, and we
might get arguing, while I've had 'bout enough of you for one night."

He rode away, and Winston went back into the house very thoughtfully,
wondering whether he would be called upon to answer for more of
Courthorne's doings.

It was two or three days later when Maud Barrington returned with her
aunt from a visit to an outlying farm, where, because an account of
what took place in the saloon had by some means been spread about, she
heard a story brought in from the settlement. It kept her silent
during the return journey, and Miss Barrington said nothing, but when
the Colonel met them in the hall, he glanced at his niece.

"I see Mrs. Carndall has been telling you both a tale," he said. "It
would have been more fitting if she had kept it to herself."

"Yes," said Maud Barrington. "Still, you do not credit it?"

Barrington smiled a trifle dryly. "I should very much pr