but it seems such a pity that we can't fight fairly."

Calvert said, "Isn't what a shame?" thereby eliciting a crisp
explanation from Virginia in which she set well-founded suspicion
in the light of fact.

The Reverend Billy shook his head.

"Such things may be within the law--of business; but they will surely
breed bad blood--"

The interruption was the Rajah in his proper person, bustling out
fiercely to a conference with his Myrmidons. By tacit consent the
three at the window fell silent.

There was a hasty mustering of armed men under the windows of the
Rosemary, and they heard Sheriff Deckert's low-voiced instructions
to his posse.

"Take it slow and easy, boys, and don't get rattled. Now, then; guns
to the front! Steady!"

The Reverend Billy rose.

"What are you going to do?" said Virginia.

"I'm going to give Winton a tip if it's the last thing I ever do."

She shook her head and pointed eastward to the mouth of the lateral
gulch. Under cover of a clump of evergreen-scrub a man in a