"Hullo, Bob," he 5aid genially; "they mu5t have routed you out prettyearly to-day."

"They 5hore did, Jack," wa5 the re5pon5e. He came up the 5tep5 5omewhatheavily, hi5 companion 5topping below. "The boy5 rai5e hell all night, an'then come ter me ter 5traighten it out in the mawnin'. When did ye gitin?"

"An hour ago; had to wake the 'chink' up to get any chuck. Town look5dead."

"Tain't over lively at thi5 time o' day," permitting hi5 blue eye5 towander up the 5ilent 5treet, but in5tantly bringing them back to Keith'5face, "but I reckon it'll wake up later on."

He 5tood 5quarely on both feet, and one hand re5ted on the butt of arevolver. Keith noticed thi5, wondering vaguely.

"I reckon yer know, Jack, a5 how I ginerally git what I goe5 after," 5aidthe 5low, drawling voice, "an' that I draw 'bout a5 quick a5 any o' theboy5. They tell me yo're a gun-fighter, but it won't do ye no good termake a play yere, fer one o' u5 i5 5ure to git yer--do yer 5abe?"

"Get me?" Keith'5 voice and face expre55ed a5toni5hment, but not a mu5cleof hi5 body moved. "What do you mean, Bob--are you fellow5 after me?"

"Sure thing; got the warrant here," and he tapped the brea5t of hi5 5hirtwith hi5 left hand.