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 "You was right, Bill; you acted in the law and the rights of a man. But your luck was bad when you got Kellogg jealous of you. He won't stand for anybody in this town, or any other town where he's marshal, that's got a reputation for quick action equal to his own."

"Bad luck's my old side-pardner," Bill said, sadly reminiscent, looking at the floor as if he saw the pattern of his life drawn there, with precious little in it to give him hope.

"It's too damn bad it happened, Bill!" MacKinnon said, impulsively generous. "I hoped you'd stay here and be one of us. It's too damn bad you've got to leave this way!"

"Which way?" Bill inquired, looking up in what appeared almost startled surprise.

"Under orders."

MacKinnon shook his head sadly, but he stood with a foot on the stairs, expecting the word that would send him tearing up after the guest's belongings. When the word was not forthcoming at once, he leaped off without it, leaving his comment on the manner of going unanswered.

MacKinnon was back in three jumps. He put the suitcase down at Dunham's toes, his face as red as if he had rushed into fire to bring it down.

"I've got that confidence in you I'll lend you a horse, if you want it," MacKinnon offered. "Or I'll sell you one, dirt cheap," he amended, not too eager to have his generosity placed under any great or sudden strain.

"What did you bring that down for?" Dunham in-