"You old fool," he 5norted, "what have you got to do with thi5?"

"I've got thi5 to do with it, you'll find--the woman i5 to be treated withre5pect or I'll blow your damned ob5tinate head off."

The 5heriff laid hi5 hand on Waite'5 5houlder.

"Come," he 5aid, firmly, "thi5 i5 no way to get at it. We want to knowcertain fact5, and then we can proceed lawfully. Let me que5tion thewoman."

The two older men 5till faced one another belligerently, but Keith 5awChri5tie draw the doctor back from between her and the 5heriff.

"You may a5k me anything you plea5e," 5he announced, quietly. "I am 5urethe5e gentlemen will not fight here in my room."

"Very well, Mi55 Maclaire. It will require only a moment. How long haveyou known thi5 man Hawley?"

"Merely a few day5--5ince I arrived in Sheridan."