f the roll. That is a kind of meanness that wouldn't suit
me!"

There were murmurs of approval from one or two of the company, but
Torrance checked them. "Gentlemen," he said, "we must win or be beaten and
get no mercy. You can't draw back, and the first step is to put Larry
down. If the State had backed us we would have made an end of the trouble,
and it is most square and fitting they should have the whipping of the
rabble forced upon them now. Are we cavalry troopers or a Sheriff's posse,
to do their work for them, and be kicked by way of thanks? They would not
nip the trouble when they could, and we'll sit tight and watch them try to
crush it when it's 'most too big for them."

Again there was a murmur, of grim approval this time; but one of the
objectors rose with an ironical smile.

"You have made a very poor show at catching Larry so far," he said. "Are
you quite sure the thing is within your ability?"

"I guess it is," said Torrance sharply. "He is living at his homestead,
and we need not be afraid of a hundred men with rifles coming to take him
from us now."

"He has a few neighbours who believe in him," one of the men said. "They
are not rabble, but level-headed Americans, with the hardest kind of grit
in them. It wouldn't suit us to be whipped again."

Clavering stood up, with his eyes fixed on Torrance. "I agree with our
leader--it can be done. In fact, I quite believe we can lay our hands on
Larry alone," he said. "Can I have a word with you, Mr. Torrance?"

Torrance nodded, and, leaving Allonby speaking, led Clavering into an
adjoining room. "Sit down, and get through as quick as you can," he said.

For five minutes Clavering spoke rapidly, in a slightly strained voice,
and a dark flush spread across the old man's face and grew deeper on his
forehead, from which the veins swelled. It had faded before he finished,
and there were paler patches in the cattle-baron's cheeks when he struck
the table with his fist.

"Clavering," he said hoarsely, "if you are deceiving me you are not going
to find a hole in this country that would hide you."

Clavering contrived to meet his gaze, though it was difficult. "I was very
unwilling to mention it," he said. "Still, if you will call Miss
Torrance's maid, and the man who grooms her horses, you can convince
yourself. It would be better if I was not present when you talk to them."

Torrance said nothing, but pointed to the door, and when the maid and man
he sent