nce-clear.

Though naturally Oldham could not follow out this psychology, he was
shrewd enough to understand that he had failed. This surprised him, for
he had entertained not the slightest doubt that the threat of the
penitentiary would bring Bob to terms.

On arriving in the city, Oldham took quarters at the Buena Vista and
sent for Saleratus Bill, whom he had summoned by wire as soon as he had
heard from that individual of Bob's intended visit to Fremont.

The spy arrived wearing a new broad, black hat, a celluloid collar, a
wrinkled suit of store clothes, and his same shrewd, evil leer. Oldham
did not appear, but requested that the visitor be shown into his room.
There, having closed the transom, he issued his instructions.

"I want you to pay attention, and not interrupt," said he. "Within a
month a case is coming up in which Orde, the Forest man, is to appear as
witness. He must not appear. I leave that all to you, but, of course, I
want no more than necessary violence. He must be detained until after
the trial, and for as long after that as I say. Understand?"

"Sure," said Saleratus Bill. "But when he comes back, he'll fix you just
the same."

"I'll see to that part of it. The case will never be reopened. Now, mind
you, no shooting----"

"There might be an accident," suggested Saleratus Bill, opening his red
eyes and staring straight at his principal.

"Accidents," said Oldham, speaking slowly and judicially, "are always
likely to happen. Sometimes they can't be helped." He paused to let
these words sink in.

Saleratus Bill wrinkled his eyes in an appreciative laugh. "Accidents is
of two kinds: lucky and unlucky," he remarked briefly, by way of
parenthesis.

"But, of course, it is distinctly understood," went on Oldham, as though
he had not heard, "that this is your own affair. You have nothing to
expect from me if you get into trouble. And if you mention my name,
you'll merely get jugged for attempted blackmail."

Saleratus Bill's eyes flared.

"Cut it," said he, with a rasp in his voice.

"Nevertheless, that is the case," repeated Oldham, unmoved.

The flame slowly died from Saleratus Bill's eyes.

"I'll want a little raise for that kind of a job," said he.

"Naturally," agreed Oldham.

They entered into discussion of ways and means.

In the meantime Bob had encountered an old friend.

XXV

Bob always stayed at the Monterosa Hotel when in town; a circumstance
that had sent Old