ntered the bustling coffee-room, where, at the detective's suggestion,
I ordered refreshment, and he placed us at a table behind two pillars.
Heysham ate and chatted in high spirits; but, though hungry enough, I
could scarcely eat at all, and sat still in irresolute impatience for what
seemed an interminable time. I could not get Minnie's worn face out of my
memory; and, though her husband's incarceration would probably be a boon
to her, I knew she would not think so. Besides, this deliberate trapping
of a man I had met on terms of friendship, even after what had happened,
was repugnant; and the cattle were safe. There was, however, nothing to do
but wait; for, alert and watchful, the representative of the law--who,
nevertheless, made an excellent breakfast--kept his eyes fixed on the
door, until I would have risen, but that he restrained me, as, followed by
several others, Fletcher and a little dark man, besides the one who had
cajoled the stock from me, came in.

"Stock-buyers!" whispered the detective, thrusting me further back. "Go
slow. In the interests of justice, I want to see just what they're going
to do."

The newcomers seated themselves not far from the other side of the
pillar, and I waited feverishly, catching snatches of somewhat vivid
general chatter, until one of the party said more loudly: "Now let us come
down to business. I've seen the beasts--had to crawl over the cars to do
it--and they're mostly trash, though there are some that would suit me,
marked hoop L. & J. Say, come down two dollars a head all around, and I'll
give you a demand draft on the bank below for the lot."

What followed I did not hear, but by-and-by a voice broke through the
confused murmuring: "It's a deal!" An individual scribbling in his
pocket-book moved toward a writing table. Then the detective stepped
forward, beckoning to me.

"Sorry to spoil trade, but I've saved your check, gentlemen," he said.
"That stock's stolen. Thomas Gorst and other names, Will Stephens, and
Thomas Fletcher, would you like to glance at this warrant? No! well, it's
no use looking ugly, there are men at either door waiting for you. This is
a new trick, Stephens, and you haven't played it neatly."

"Euchred!" gasped the little man, while the other scowled at me.

"Confusion to you! In another hour I'd have been rustling for the Great
Republic. Still, I guess the game's up. Don't be a mule, Fletcher; I'm
going quietly."

He held out his hands wit