Part 23 (1/2)

”Well,” said Courthorne dryly, ”it is not a great ideal. Only the means to live in a manner more befitting a gentleman than I have been able to do lately.”

”You have not been prospering?” and Winston favored his companion with a slow scrutiny.

”No,” and Courthorne laughed again. ”You see, I could pick up a tolerable living as Lance Courthorne, but there is very little to be made at my business when you commence in new fields as an unknown man.”

”Well,” said Winston coldly, ”I don't know that it wouldn't be better to face my trial than stay here at your mercy. So far as my inclinations go, I would sooner fight than have any further dealings with a man like you.”

Courthorne shook his head. ”I fixed up the thing too well, and you would be convicted. Still, we'll not go into that, and you will not find me unreasonable. A life at Silverdale would not suit me, and you know by this time that it would be difficult to sell the place, while I don't know where I could find a tenant who would farm it better than you. That being so, it wouldn't be good policy to bleed you too severely. Still, I want a thousand dollars in the meanwhile. It's mine, you see.”

Winston sat still a minute. He was sensible of a fierce distrust and hatred of the man before him, but he felt he must at least see the consummation of his sowing.

”Then you shall have it on condition that you go away, and stay away, until harvest is over. After that, I will send for you and shall have more to tell you. If in the meantime you come back here, or hint that I am Winston, I will surrender to the police, or decide our differences in another fas.h.i.+on.”

Courthorne nodded. ”That is direct,” he said. ”One knows where he is when he deals with a man who talks as you do. Now, are you not curious as to the way I cheated both the river and the police?”

”No,” said Winston grimly, ”not in the least. We will talk business together when it is necessary, but I can only decline to discuss anything else with you.”

Courthorne laughed. ”There's nothing to be gained by pretending to misunderstand you, but it wouldn't pay me to be resentful when I'm graciously willing to let you work for me. Still, I have been inclined to wonder how you were getting on with my estimable relatives and connections. One of them has, I hear, unbent a trifle towards you, but I would like to warn you not to presume on any small courtesy shown you by the younger Miss Barrington.”

Winston stood up and set his back to the door. ”You heard my terms, but if you mention that lady again in connection with me, it would suit me equally well to make good all I owe you very differently.”

Courthorne did not appear in any way disconcerted, but, before he could answer, a man outside opened the door.

”Here's Sergeant Stimson and one of his troopers wanting you,” he said.

Winston looked at Courthorne, but the latter smiled. ”The visit has nothing to do with me. It is probably accidental, but I fancy Stimson knows me, and it wouldn't be advisable for him to see us both together.

Now, I wonder whether you could make it fifteen hundred dollars.”

”No,” said Winston. ”Stay if it pleases you.”

Courthorne shook his head. ”I don't know that it would. You don't do it badly, Winston.”

He went out by another door, almost as the grizzled sergeant came in and stood still, looking at the master of the homestead.

”I haven't seen you since I came here, Mr. Courthorne, and now you remind me of another man I once had dealings with,” he said.

Winston laughed a little. ”I scarcely fancy that is very civil, Sergeant.”

”Well,” said the prairie-rider, ”there is a difference, when I look at you more closely. Let me see, I met you once or twice back there in Alberta?”

He appeared to be reflecting, but Winston was on his guard. ”More frequently, I fancy, but you had nothing definite against me, and the times have changed. I would like to point that out to you civilly.

Your chiefs are also on good terms with us at Silverdale, you see.”

The sergeant laughed. ”Well, sir, I meant no offense, and called round to requisition a horse. One of the Whitesod boys has been deciding a quarrel with a neighbor with an ax, and while I fancy they want me at once, my beast got his foot in a badger-hole.”

”Tell Tom in the stables to let you have your choice,” said Winston.

”If you like them, there's no reason you shouldn't take some of these cigars along.”

The sergeant went out, and when the beat of hoofs sank into the silence of the prairie, Winston called Courthorne in. ”I have offered you no refreshment, but the best in the house is at your service,” he said.