d
friend, I have nothing more to say of this killing than I have said to
Doc, and the rest of 'em. I've done many a fool trick in my time, and
maybe I'm doing another now. But I'm doing it with my eyes wide open.
There's the rope ahead, a nasty, ugly, curly rope; maybe plaited by a
half-breed with dirty hands. But what's the odds? Perhaps there's a
stray bit of comfort in that rope, in the thought of it. You know the
old prairie saw: 'It isn't always the sunniest day makes the best
picnic.' Which means, I take it, choose your company of girls and boys
well, and, rain or shine, you'll have a bully time. Maybe there's a
deal I could say if I so chose, but, in the meantime, I kind of
believe there's worse things in the world than--a rawhide rope."

It was just a glimpse of the man behind his mask of indifference, and
Peter wondered.

But there was no key to the riddle in his words, no key at all.
Somehow, in a vague sort of way, it seemed to him that Eve Henderson
was in a measure the influence behind Jim. But he could not see how.
He was well aware of Jim's love for her, and he believed that she was
less indifferent to him now than when Will had been running straight.
But for the life of him he could see no definite connection between
such a matter and the murder. It was all so obscure--so obscure.

And now there was nothing left but to wait for the hideous end. He
lurched into his hut, and, without even troubling to light his lamp,
flung himself upon his bed.

CHAPTER XXXIV

THE TRUTH

The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out
from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing
close under a window, listening to all that passed within the
building. It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a
stealthy but clumsy gait. Peter heard nothing and saw nothing. His
mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that
was going on about him now.

So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until
he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut. Then he turned
away with something of relief, and hobbled in the direction of his own
house. He had been anxious lest Peter should be on his way to carry
the news to Eve. He had very definite reasons for wishing to give her
the news himself. He felt that Peter was too convinced of Jim's
innocence, judging by his defense of him in the saloon, to be a safe
person to carry Eve t