The Second String

an ill-humour, and it was not difficult to discover the cause. The bar was in a state of wild confusion. Broken bottles,

he was in a desperate hurry he knew the be

irmish, eh?"

gan it. I never saw such beas

eyes gl

include me?

what may happen. You'll break out some day. Fle

in leash wonderfully well. All the time he was

Ping would have to hust

asn't for a nip of your good stuff

here for. Well, I can't gratif

s; it was his habit. Glen knew t

he best, Bill, I'm run

lau

sort of thing from your fellows without paying somebody out? As you happen t

Bill. I'll pay do

he

h. I can't

hs you mean, and t

wit

ight, but you've got to suffer for the sins

er the counter, his

d it for you'd give it me

His eyes glared. He was thinking of the woman. How should he get the b

's it

. I will before l

ke. You want it

do

stless, and if he got what he wanted and hurried

he reason?" asked

mebody ill

Do you think I'm going to help hi

ious time. Could Bill be trusted to keep it to himself? He had no d

r him after that," and he waved his hand rou

n what it is

as it goes here. Promise me. It's a matter of life and death. You'

nest. He knew Glen Leigh had

so help me I will, but I don't sa

s thoughts went back to his hut, a

irious. She'll die if she doesn't have some st

n pathetic ring in his voice. But a woman! H

s she?"

my h

dn't help it. The thi

dy?" he asked

enched. He was b

es from. All I can say is I found her in there lying on my shakedown, dying

ed here. I may be too late. Ping's none too fast, but he's sure. For heaven's sake, Bill, let me

trung to the highest pitch as he thou

rd, but I don't see as how you cou

ies, her secret goes with her. Help to save

delaide. Supposing she was in such a

u'd outed with it at first the thing w

aight away it would not have been believed at all. Bill also k

ry queer go, but I believe him. He's not given to lying, and in any case I can go and see for myself in a day or two. If he's put

ok them with him. As he went back through his storero

hat there would be no risk of bre

usual they had selected a bottle of alleged whisky, and were helping th

saw the rider on the fence. "You're one

t least my share,"

" said Bill, putti

l on his way back to the hut. Here was more delay. Would she be alive?

e greasy pound-notes a

ave to stand good for this," and

so easily next time," warned Bill, as he stuffed the dirty notes in

picked up the packa

ant here; at least as

days I may be able to do you a good turn

credit that I've faith enough in a man to bel

o beli

come empty-handed, and not to act the spy, but it's s

nted Ping, and Bill h

it myself. Come and see. You'll be welcome

ll about her. It'll be a bit of a change from that filthy

two notes rushed out and yelled, "Expect you've not hea