"Joe," said the gambler, "I'll tell you something that I have only told
the sheriff. I was in Langham's office late yesterday and John North was
there; he left to go to McBride's. Conklin's been looking for him this
morning, but he can't find him, and no one seems to know what's become
of him. Do you follow me?"

"What's North got to do with it, boss?"

"How do you know it wasn't North you saw in the alley?" urged Gilmore.

"It were not!" said Joe Montgomery positively.

"You saw the man's face?"

"As plain as I see yours!"

"And you know the man?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll tell you who you saw," said the gambler coolly; "it was
Marshall Langham."

The handy-man swore a great oath.

"You've guessed it, boss! You've guessed it."

"It ain't a guess as it happens."