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β€œI offer you a clerkship in my store.”

β€œAnd I refuse it. That's our business. Well, so long, Brother Morris, and may you find things go better with you in the future.”

That same afternoon, as McMurdo sat smoking, lost in thought beside the stove of his sitting-room, the door swung open and its framework was filled with the huge figure of Boss McGinty. He passed the sign, and then seating himself opposite to the young man he looked at him steadily for some time, a look which was as steadily returned.

β€œI'm not much of a visitor, Brother McMurdo,” he said at last. β€œI guess I am too busy over the folk that visit me. But I thought I'd stretch a point and drop down to see you in your own house.”

β€œI'm proud to see you here, Councillor,” McMurdo answered heartily, bringing his whisky bottle out of the cupboard. β€œIt's an honour that I had not expected.”

β€œHow's the arm?” asked the Boss.

McMurdo made a wry face. β€œWell, I'm not forgetting it,” he said; β€œbut it's worth it.”

β€œYes, it's worth it,” the other answered, β€œto those that are loyal and go through with it and are a help to the lodge. What were you speaking to Brother Morris about on Miller Hill this morning?”

The question came so suddenly that it was well that he had his answer prepared. He burst into a hearty laugh. β€œMorris didn't know I could earn a living here at home. He shan't know either; for he has got too much conscience for the likes of me. But he's a good-hearted old chap. It was his idea that I was at a loose end, and that he would do me a good turn by offering me a clerkship in a drygoods store.”

β€œOh, that was it?”

β€œYes, that was it.”

β€œAnd you refused it?”

β€œSure. Couldn't I earn ten times as much in my own bedroom with four hours' work?”

β€œThat's so. But I wouldn't get about too much with Morris.”

β€œWhy not?”

β€œWell, I guess because I tell you not. That's enough for most folk in these parts.”

β€œIt may be enough for most folk; but it ain't enough for me, Councillor,” said McMurdo boldly. β€œIf you are a judge of men, you'll know that.”

The swarthy giant glared at him, and his hairy paw closed for an instant round the glass as though he would hurl it at the head of his companion. Then he laughed in his loud, boisterous, insincere fashion.

β€œYou're a queer card, for sure,” said he. β€œWell, if you want reasons, I'll give them. Did Morris say nothing to you against the lodge?”

β€œNo.”

β€œNor against me?”

β€œNo.”

β€œWell, that's because he daren't trust you. But in his heart he is not a loyal brother. We know that well. So we watch him and we wait for the time to admonish him. I'm thinking that the time is drawing near. There's no room for scabby sheep in our pen. But if you keep company with a disloyal man, we might think that you were disloyal, too. See?”

β€œThere's no chance of my keeping company with him; for I dislike the man,” McMurdo answered. β€œAs to being disloyal, if it was any man but you he would not use the word to me twice.”

β€œWell, that's enough,” said McGinty, draining off his glass. β€œI came down to give you a word in season, and you've had it.”

β€œI'd like to know,” said McMurdo, β€œhow you ever came to learn that I had spoken with Morris at all?”

McGinty laughed. β€œIt's my business to know what goes on in this township,” said he. β€œI guess you'd best reckon on my hearing all that passes. Well, time's up, and I'll just say—”

But his leavetaking was cut short in a very unexpected fashion. With a sudden crash the door flew open, and three frowning, intent faces glared in at them from under the peaks of police caps. McMurdo sprang to his feet and half drew his revolver; but his arm stopped midway as he became conscious that two Winchester rifles were levelled at his head. A man in uniform advanced into the room, a six-shooter in his hand. It was Captain Marvin, once of Chicago, and now of the Mine Constabulary. He shook his head with a half-smile at McMurdo.

β€œI thought you'd be getting into trouble, Mr. Crooked McMurdo of Chicago,” said he. β€œCan't keep out of it, can you? Take your hat and come along with us.”

β€œI guess you'll pay for this, Captain Marvin,” said McGinty. β€œWho are you, I'd like to know, to break into a house in this fashion and molest honest, law-abiding men?”

β€œYou're standing out in this deal, Councillor McGinty,” said the police captain. β€œWe are not out after you, but after this man McMurdo. It is for you to help, not to hinder us in our duty.”

β€œHe is a friend of mine, and I'll answer for his conduct,” said the Boss.

β€œBy all accounts, Mr. McGinty, you may have to answer for your own conduct some of these days,” the captain answered. β€œThis man McMurdo was a crook before ever he came here, and he's a crook still. Cover him, Patrolman, while I disarm him.”

β€œThere's my pistol,” said McMurdo coolly. β€œMaybe, Captain Marvin, if you and I were alone and face to face you would not take me so easily.”

β€œWhere's your warrant?” asked McGinty. β€œBy Gar! a man might as well live in Russia as in Vermissa while folk like you are running the police. It's a capitalist outrage, and you'll hear more of it, I reckon.”

β€œYou do what you think is your duty the best way you can, Councillor. We'll look after ours.”

β€œWhat am I accused of?” asked McMurdo.

β€œOf being concerned in the beating of old Editor Stanger at the Herald office. It wasn't your fault that it isn't a murder charge.”

β€œWell, if that's all you have against him,” cried McGinty with a laugh, β€œyou can save yourself a deal of trouble by dropping it right now. This man was with me in my saloon playing poker up to midnight, and I can bring a dozen to prove it.”

β€œThat's your affair, and I guess you can settle it in court to-morrow. Meanwhile, come on, McMurdo, and come quietly if you don't want a gun across your head. You stand wide, Mr. McGinty; for I warn you I will stand no resistance when I am on duty!”

So determined was the appearance of the captain that both McMurdo and his boss were forced to accept the situation. The latter managed to have a few

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