"Cowards!" he snarled. "Get out!"
With a slouching alacrity they obeyed, vanishing through the door in swift and ignominious retreat. McClure passed after them without a word.
"Tin seconds till spare, the lucky divils!" cried Easy Murphy regretfully.
At his rueful words the Valley Outfit lifted a victorious roar, following McClure and his men with shouts of derision.
Ten minutes later as Ned Pullar stood in the pool-room door a white horse dashed by, cantering along the slushy street. Astride swayed the form of a girl clothed in a slicker. Beneath her quaint hood flashed the light of brown eyes. Their quick glance caught his salute. She acknowledged the greeting by a dainty tip of her head and the faintest of smiles.
The slight recognition sent his blood atingle. In a moment she disappeared about a building. The vision of the girl remained with him and a shadow contended with the pleasure the sudden meeting had brought into his face. Finally the shadow triumphed and a deeply troubled look came into his eyes.
"Ah, Mary!" he reflected. "Where will this day's work lead us?"
The girl was Mary McClure, only child of his avowed enemy.
II
THE VALLEY OF GOLD