his gun, and caught the other by the shoulders. Out of the nerveless
fingers of Pierre the revolver slipped and crushed a dead twig on the
ground, and a pair of lifeless eyes stared up to Dick Wilbur.

"In the name of God, Pierre, what has happened to you?"

"Dick, why didn't you fire?"

"Fire? Murder you?"

"You shoot straight--I know--it would have been over quickly."

"What is it, boy? You look dead--there's no color in your face, no
light in your eyes, even your voice is dead. I know it isn't fear.
What is it?"

"You're wrong. It's fear."

"Fear and Red Pierre. The two don't mate."

"Fear of living, Dick."

"So that's it? God help you. Pierre, forgive me. I should have known
that you had met her before, but I was mad, and didn't know what I was
doing, couldn't think."

"It's over and forgotten. I have to go back and get Jack. Will you
ride home with us?"

"Jack? She's not in the hall. She left shortly after you went, and
she means some deviltry. There's a jealous fiend in that girl. I
watched her eyes when they followed you and Mary from the hall."

"Then we'll ride back alone."

"Not I. Carry the word to Jim that I'm through with the game. I'm
going to wash some of the grime off my conscience and try to make
myself fit to speak to this girl again."

"It's the cross," said Pierre.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. The bad luck has come to poor old Jim at last, because he
saved me out of the snow. Patterson has gone, and now you, and perhaps
Jack--well, this is good-by, Dick?"

"Yes."

Their hands met, a long, strong grip.

"You forgive me, Dick?"

"With all my heart, old fellow."

"I'll try to wish you luck. Stay close to her. Live clean for her
sake and worship her like a saint. Perhaps you'll win her."

"I'll do what one man can."

"But if you succeed, ride out of the mountain-desert with her--never
let me hear of it."

"I don't understand. Will you tell me what's between you, Pierre?
You've some sort of claim on her. What is it?"

"I've said good-by. Only one thing more. Never mention my name to
her."

So he turned and walked out into the moonlight in the immaculate
dress-suit and big Wilbur stared after him until he disappeared beyond
the shoulder of a hill.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE LUCK OF THE SHIPWRECKED

It was early morning before Pierre reached the refuge of Boone's gang,
but there was still a light through the window of the large room, and