whatsoever small sums of money they could wring from out the reluctant
palm of Albrecht. Winston chanced to pause for a moment at the cigar
stand to exchange a pleasant good-night word with the seemingly genial
clerk.

"You one of the actors?" questioned the latter, exhibiting some slight
interest.

The young man nodded indifferently, not feeling unduly proud of the
distinction.

"Sorry I couldn't have been there," the other went on cordially. "The
boys tell me you gave 'em a mighty fine show, but I 'm here to bet that
some of your people wish they 'd steered clear of San Juan."

"How's that?"

"Why, that fat fellow--what's his name?--oh, yes, Albrecht--the sheriff
was in here hunting him with some papers he had to serve, and it would
have made you laugh just to see that duck climb out when I met him
yonder on the street a few minutes ago, and gave him the highball.
Guest of the house, you know, and we did n't want him pinched in here;
besides, we understood he carried the scads for the rest of your bunch,
and we naturally wanted our share. The sheriff's out tryin' to find
him now; but Lord! the fellow 's safe enough out of the county by this
time, if he skipped the way I advised him he 'd better. There was an
extra ore train goin' down to Bolton to-night, and he just had time to
catch it on the run."

The dramatic situation slowly dawned on Winston while the clerk was