CHAPTER IX.
A group of urchins were intent upon the side door of a saloon.
Expectancy gleamed from their eyes.

They were twisting their fingers in excitement.
"Here she comes," yelled one of them suddenly.
The group of urchins burst instantly asunder and its individual fragments were spread in a wide, respectable half circle about the point of interest.

The saloon door opened with a crash, and the figure of a woman appeared upon the threshold.

Her grey hair fell in knotted masses about her shoulders.

Her face was crimsoned and wet with perspiration.