I waive ceremony and seek him in his lair
at the witching hour of two this _tarde_. And if not, not."

"He's old enough--even if there were no other reasons."

"Never mind any other reasons. It shall never be said that I fail to
reverence gray hairs. I'll be there."

"I guess I'll just wait and see that you go," said the Marshal.

"Have you got any papers for me?" asked Jeff politely.

"No."

"This is my room," said Jeff. "This is my fist. This is me. That is my
door. Open it, Leo. Mr. Hobart, you will now make rapid forward motions
with your feet, alternately, like a man removing his company from where
it is not desired--or I'll go through you like a domesticated cyclone.
See you at two, sharp!" Hobart obeyed. He was a good judge of men.

Jeff closed the door. "'We went upon the battlefield,'" he said
plaintively, "'before us and behind us, and every which-a-way we looked,
we seen a roscerhinus.' We went into another field--behind us and before
us, and every which-a-way we looked, we seen a rhinusorus. Mr. Lake has
been evidently browsin' and pe-rusing around, and poor old Pappy, not
being posted, has likely been narratin' about Charley's ankle and how I
had a chill. Wough-ough!"

"It looks that way," confessed Leo. "_Did_ you have a chill, Jeff?"

Jeff's eyes crinkled. "Not so nigh as I am now. But shucks! I've been in
worse emergencies, and I always emerged. Thanks be, I can always do my
best when I have to. Oh, what a tangled web we weave when we don't keep
in practice! If I'd just come out straightforward and declared myself
to Pappy, he'd 'a' tightened up his drawstrings and forgot all about my
chill. But, no, well as I know from long experience that good old human
nature's only too willin' to do the right thing and the fair thing--if
somebody'll only tip it off to 'em--I must play a lone hand and not even
call for my partner's best. Well, I'm goin' to ramify around and
scrutinize this here Stratton's numbers, equipments and disposition.
Meet me in the office at the fatal hour!"

* * * * *

The Marshal wore a mocking smile. Stratton, large, florid, well-fed and
eminently respectable, turned in his revolving chair with a severe and
majestic motion; adjusted his glasses in a prolonged and offensive
examination, and frowned portentously.

"Fine large day, isn't it?" observed Jeff affably. "Beautiful little
city you have here." He sank into a chair. Smile and attitude were o