in the
half-light of the cabin. He did not step to the door, but his voice
came, cold and cutting.

"Bring in the suitcase, Wong," said Morgan. "Welcome to this humble
abode, stepdaughter o' mine. I had hardly dared hope you would take such
a plunge into the primitive."

The girl was trying to voice her gratitude to Lowell when Morgan's hand
was thrust forth and grasped hers and fairly pulled her into the
doorway. The door closed, and Lowell turned back to his automobile, with
anger and pity struggling within him for adequate expression.

CHAPTER III

Walter Lowell tore the wrapper of his copy of the "White Lodge Weekly
Star" when the agency mail was put on his desk a few days after the
murder on the Dollar Sign road.

"I'm betting Editor Jay Travers cuts into the vitriol supply for our
benefit in this issue of his household journal," remarked the agent to
his chief clerk.

"He won't overlook the chance," replied Rogers. "Here's where he earns a
little of the money the stockmen have been putting into his newspaper
during the last few years."

"Yes, here it is: 'Crime Points to Indians. Automobile Tourist Killed
Near Reservation. Staked Down, Probably by Redskins. Wave of Horror
Sweeping the County--Dancing should be Stopped--Policy of Coddling
Indians--White Settlers not Safe.' Oh, take it and read it in detail!"
And Lowell tossed the paper to Rogers.

"And right here, where you'd look for it first thing--right at the top
of the editorial column--is a regular old-fashioned English leader,
calling on the Government to throw open the reservation to grazing,"
said Rogers.

"The London 'Times' could thunder no more strongly in proportion. The
grateful cowmen should throw at least another five thousand into ye
editor's coffers. But, after all, what does it matter? A dozen
newspapers couldn't make the case look any blacker for the Indians. If
some hot-headed white man doesn't read this and take a shot at the first
Indian he meets, no great harm will be done."

The inquest over the slain man had been duly held at White Lodge. The
coroner's jury found that the murder had been done "by a person or
persons unknown." The telegrams which Lowell had sent had brought back
the information that Edward B. Sargent was a retired inventor of mining
machinery--that he was prosperous, and lived alone. His servants said he
had departed in an automobile five days before. He had left no word as
to his destination, but had