into the "private" room. Instead he knocked on its door. When
Winslow opened it he saw a small boy with a yellow envelope in his
hand.

"Hello, Josiah," hailed Jed, genially. "How's the president of the
Western Union these days?"

The boy grinned bashfully and opined the magnate just mentioned was
"all right." Then he added:

"Is Mr. Babbitt here? Mr. Bearse--Mr. Gabe Bearse--is over at the
office and he said he saw Mr. Babbitt come in here."

"Yes, he's here. Want to see him, do you?"

"I've got a telegram for him."

Mr. Babbitt himself came forward and took the yellow envelope.
After absently turning it over several times, as so many people do
when they receive an unexpected letter or message, he tore it open.

Winslow and Captain Sam, watching him, saw his face, to which the
color had returned in the last few minutes, grow white again. He
staggered a little. Jed stepped toward him.

"What is it, Phin?" he asked. "Somebody dead or--"

Babbitt waved him away. "No," he gasped, chokingly. "No, let me
be. I'm--I'm all right."