hard to define Sykes' business. He was not a lawyer, though he had a distinctly legal turn of mind. He had acquired the title of Commissioner. He began work in the v

mania had not got properly under way. The ability of the new arrival in his selected field was so surprising and apparent

was very like that of Reynard as he slunk through the night en route to Mr. Farmer's chicken coop. He lived by his wits, searching the trail closely for tracks of his prey. His nose was always in the wind. He was alert for the lucky cast of the die that should tumble fortune into his lap. Inventive and resourcefu

for this, a matter on which Rob McClure was utterly in the dark. Only one person in the settlement had even surmised it. Reddy Sykes was dominated by the mightiest of human motives in his facile address at fostering a strong friendship with McClure. Ned Pullar alone understood that he was at once lured by the passion of love and

dwill with a friend of Rob's. Helen McClure was always pleased to welcome the gentlemanly guest. Mary in her secret mind was very considerably perturbed, remembering certain advances made by Sykes in the past. She had turned hi

alluring proposition. In his mouth he held an unlit cigar, rolling it around in unconscious habit, occasionally chewing off the end and throwing it away. Looking through the window out upon the street he saw something that brought sudden reso

Outfit?" inquire

broken shaft,"

Bissett," said Sykes affably, plunging

e letter he had j

hold of a farm in this settlement. He owns a section and is willing to swap it for an improve

tter rapidly the

d care to exchange for

rters you are rent

hook h

n the

nds might consider

not recommend the deal to any of my

arply with the Rey

chance, a windfa

seems to me unusual. Aside from that,

nded a shade met

you ma

nge in tone but co

od. Then again there is a pretty fast movement up in this Valley land. We are expecti

he difference in acreage is

int would have to be settled by a p

igar impatiently, b

swap the homestead. He is young yet-just the age to p

n Ned?"

cour

onsider the matt

hy

land is still deeded to his father. Although the old man has des

ce the cunning light flash into the other's eyes. His companio

ly, "I would not recommend this to

tful light burne

y you will knock t

I'll knock it into a cocked

s tone. "You rubes carry some side, eh? A few of you li

ed on h

Good-day!" Andy t

crossing the street Sy

red soliloquy. "You were easy. Ha! It

McClure appear

inquired Sykes, look

nse. "Took a skip in to get a l

tter into his hand. McClure re

ted another

s no

letter McClure rum

sfers if we can get them going. T

o-day," observed

as no

N

's low counsel. "There are easier pro

s community's full of suckers. There are droves of eas

bed his chin reflectivel

cClure full in the eye. "You're on just one trail thes

ooked up

a little fact that has a whole barrelful of possibilities. He informs

shook

ed's too good a head

e," maintained Sykes. "Bis

if i

d Ed. Pullar. Thirst

laughe

in a whisper. "We have an eve

that he had probed a mighty impulse in his companion. The gloating of anticipated revenge looke

ignificant tone that drew the swift glance of Mc

eculiarly at the other

ed Sykes, "you do

me guessin

now what I am

shook

have regarded her as the one thing desirable. That is why I am out among the rubes. She has never bee

was seeing something other than Sykes' glittering eyes. He saw Mary as she burst in upon him the day

s the cris

le. "Do it right and I'm agreeable. So far as I k

field is open

oubt. I know all

but it would be more serviceable later. He reflected for a moment on the effect of the disclosure tha

untoward possibilit

the compact.<