k, of whom I spoke." She
had told of Bostwick's capture by the convicts. "Do you think you
could find him a room?"

"A room? I want a suite--two rooms at least," said Bostwick
aggressively. "Is this a first-class place?"

"It ain't no regular heaven, and I ain't no regular Mrs. Saint Peter,"
answered Mrs. Dick with considerable heat, irritated by Bostwick's
personality and recognizing in him Van's "smoke-faced Easterner." She
added crisply: "So you might as well vamoose the ranch, fer I couldn't
even put you in the shed."

"But I've got to have accommodations!" insisted Bostwick. "I prefer
them where my fiancee--where Miss Kent is stopping. I'm sure you can
manage it someway--let someone go. The price is no object to me."

"I don't want you that bad," said Mrs. Dick frankly. "I said no and
I'm too busy to say it again."

She bustled off with her ant-like celerity, followed by Bostwick's
scowls.

"You'll have to give up your apartments here," he said to Beth. "I'll
find something better at once."

"Thank you, I'm very well satisfied," said Beth. "You'll find this
town quite overcrowded."

"You mean you propose to stay here in spite of my wishes?"

"Please don't wish anything absurd," she answered. "This is really no
place for fastidious choosing--and I am very comfortable."

A lanky youth, with a suitcase and three leather bags, came shuffling
around the corner and dropped down his load.

"Van told me to bring 'em here with his--something I don't remember,"
imparted the youth. "That's all," and he grinned and departed.

Bostwick glowered, less pleased than before.

"That fellow, I presume. He evidently knows where you are stopping."

Beth was beginning to feel annoyed and somewhat defiant. She had never
dreamed this man could appear so repellant as now, with his stubble of
beard and this convict garb upon him. She met his glance coldly.

"He found me the place. I am considerably in his obligation."

Bostwick's face grew blacker.

"Obligation? Why don't you admit at once you admire the fellow?--or
something more. By God! I've endured about as much----"

"Mr. Bostwick!" she interrupted. She added more quietly: "You've been
very much aggravated. I'm sorry. Now please go somewhere and change
your clothing."

"Aggravated?" he echoed. "You ought to know what he is, by instinct.
You must have seen him in a common street brawl! You must have seen
that woman--that red-light night-ha