but I imagine this is the last ride to
White Lodge you will have to take. The jury is going to decide
quickly--or such is the general feeling."

Lowell had hardly spoken when a shout from the crowd on the court-house
steps announced to the others that the jury had come in.

Lowell and Helen found places in the court-room. Judge Garford had not
left his chambers. As soon as the crowd had settled down, the foreman
announced the verdict.

"Not guilty!" was the word that was passed to those outside the
building. There was a slight ripple of applause in the court-room which
the bailiff's gavel checked. Lowell could not help but smile bitterly as
he thought of the different sentiment at the close of the preliminary
hearing, such a short time before. He wondered if the same thought had
come to Judge Garford. But if the aged jurist had made any comparisons,
they were not reflected in his benign features. A lifetime among scenes
of turbulence, and watching justice gain steady ascendancy over frontier
lawlessness, had made the judge indifferent to the manifestations of the
moment.

"It's just as though we were a lot of jumping-jacks," thought Lowell,
"and while we're doing all sorts of crazy things, the judge is looking
far back behind the scenes studying the forces that are making us go.
And he must be satisfied with what he sees or our illogical actions
wouldn't worry him so little."

Fire Bear and McFann took the verdict with customary calm. The Indian
was released from custody and took his place in Lowell's automobile. The
half-breed was remanded to jail for trial for the Talpers slaying.
Lowell, after saying good-bye to the half-breed, lost no time in
starting for the agency. On the way he caught up with Helen, who was
riding leisurely homeward. As he stopped the machine she reined up her
horse beside him and extended her hand in congratulation.

"You're not the only one who is glad of the acquittal," she exclaimed.
"I am glad--oh, I cannot tell you how much!"

Lowell noticed that her expression of girlishness had returned. The
shadow which had fallen upon her seemed to have been lifted
miraculously.

"Wasn't it strange the way things turned out?" she went on. "A little
while ago every one seemed to believe these men were guilty, and now
there's not a one who doesn't seem to think that Talpers did it."

"There's one who doesn't subscribe to the general belief," answered
Lowell.

"What do you mean?"

Lowell was