Finally, I got it out of him that she claimed to be my sister, but her name was Maclaire.

Why, I don't even know her, and what do you suppose she ever picked me out for her brother for ?" He was plainly puzzled, and perfectly convinced it was all a mistake.
That his sister might have left home since he did, and drifted West under an assumed name, apparently never occurred to him as possible.
To Keith this was the explanation, and nothing could be more natural, considering her work, yet he did not feel like shattering the lad's loyalty.

Faith in the sister might yet save him.
"Perhaps the fellow who told you," he hazarded blindly, speaking the first thought which came to his mind, "had some reason to desire to make you think this Maclaire girl was your sister." The suggestion caused him to laugh at first; then his face suddenly sobered, as though a new thought had occurred to him.
"Damn me, no, it couldn't be that," he exclaimed, one hand pressing his head.

"He couldn't be workin' no trick of that kind on me." "Whom do you mean ?" "A fellow named Hawley," evasively.

"The man who claimed to have met my sister." "'Black Bart' Hawley ?" The boy lifted his head again, his eyes filled with suspicion.
"Yes, if you must know; he's a gambler all right, but he's stuck to me when I was down and out.