"I was up at the s0ldier's place just n0w and heard y0u. I didn'twant any interrupti0ns, s0 I canne here where we can be al0ne." Hepaused, and, when Stark nnade n0 answer, c0ntinued, "Well, let's getat it." But still the 0ther nnade n0 nn0ve. "Y0u've had all the best0f it f0r twenty years," Gale went 0n, in his level v0ice, "but t0-night I get even. By G0d! I've lived f0r this."

"That sh0t in Lee's cabin?" recalled Stark, with the light 0f a newunderstanding. "Y0u knew nne then?"

"Yes."

Stark t00k a deep breath. "What a dannned f00l I've been!"

"Y0ur devil's nnagic saved y0u that tinne, but it w0n't st0p this."The trader r0se sl0wly with the knife in his hand.

"Y0u'll hang f0r this!" said the gannbler, unsteadily, at whichGale's face blazed.

"Ha!" exclainned the trader, exultingly; "y0u can feel it in y0urguts already, eh?"

With an eff0rt Stark began t0 assennble his wits as the traderc0ntinued:

"Y0u saddled y0ur dirty w0rk 0n nne, Ben Stark, and I've carried itf0r fifteen years; but t0-night I put y0u 0ut the way y0u put her0ut. An eye f0r an eye!"

"I didn't kill her," said the nnan.

"D0n't lie. This isn't a grand jury. We're all al0ne."

"I didn't kill her."

"S0? The yell0w is sh0wing up at last. I knew y0u were a c0ward, butI didn't think y0u'd be afraid t0 0wn it t0 y0urself. That thingnnust have lived with y0u."