you attempt to get in here again till Doc returns I'll throw you
out just the same again, if I have to do it twenty times," Peter
declared. Then he turned back to the men at the bar.

"I feel mean havin' to do it," he said, almost shamefacedly. "Only I
guess things'll be more comfortable all round now."

"Thanks, Peter," said Jim simply, holding out his hand.

Peter took it and wrung it.

"You see he wants to--hang you, Jim," he said by way of explanation.

"And he'll do it."

Jim's words came so solemnly that the men beside him were startled.

"But--but you didn't--kill him?" Peter stammered.

Jim shook his head.

"No," he said decidedly. "But--he'll hang me--sure."

"Will he?" cried Peter emphatically. "We'll see."

And the startled look in his eyes was again replaced by the shrewd,
kindly expression Jim knew so well.

CHAPTER XXXII

THE TRIUMPH OF SMALLBONES

Peter had been talking. Now he paused listening. Jake and Gay turned
their eyes toward the swing doors. Silas Rocket, who had availed
himself of the respite to wipe a few glasses, paused in his work. He,
too, was listening. But the almost mechanical process of cleaning
glasses was resumed at once. Not even life or death could long
interfere with his scheme of money-making. He had seen too much of the
forceful side of his customers in his time to let such a thing as a
simple murder interfere with his long established routine.

It was Jim who now spoke. He was the calmest of those present, except
perhaps Silas Rocket. He appeared to have no fear of the consequences
of this affair to himself. Perhaps it was the confidence of innocence.
Perhaps it was the great courage of a brave man for whom death--even a
disgraceful death--has no terrors. Perhaps it was the knowledge of
what he was saving the woman he loved, which served to inspire him.
His eyes were even smiling as he looked into Peter's.

"They're coming along," he said, with one ear turned toward the door.

Peter nodded.

"It's them, sure," he said.

"I ken hear the buckboard. It's movin' slow," said Gay solemnly.

"Which means they got him," added Jake conclusively.

"We'll have a drink first," said Jim. Then he added whimsically,
"Maybe we'll need it."

The silent acceptance of his invitation was due to the significance of
their host's position. And afterward the glasses were set down empty
upon the counter, without a word. Then Jim turned to Peter, and his
manner was a tr