himself from such contemplation, he broke a silence, sour and unduly
prolonged.

"Four o'clock, and all's ill! Johnson is not the man to be cheated out of
a fortune without putting up a fight. Young Mitchell himself is neither
fool nor weakling. He can shoot, too. We have had no news. Therefore--a
conclusion that will not have escaped your sagacity--something has gone
amiss with our little expeditionary force in the Gavilan. Johnson is
quite the Paladin; but he could hardly exterminate such a bunch as that.
It is my firm conviction that we are now, on this pleasant afternoon,
double-crossed in a good and workmanlike manner.

"The Johnson-Mitchell firm is now Johnson, Mitchell & Company, our late
friends, or the survivors, being the Company."

These remarks were addressed to the elder of Mr. Dewing's two table
mates. But it was Eric Anderson, tall and lean and lowering, who
made answer.

"You may set your uneasy mind at rest, Mr. Something. Suspectin'
treachery comes natural to you--being what you are."

"There--that's enough!"

This was the third man, Mayer Zurich. He sprang up, speaking sharply; a
tall, straight man, broad-shouldered, well proportioned, with a handsome,
sparkling, high-colored face. "Eric, you grow more insolent every day.
Cut it out!"

Mr. Dewing, evenly enough, shifted his thoughtful gaze upon tall Eric,