.

A Glimpse at Conspiracy.
Leaning against the inside of his own door, startled by the rapid sequence of events, Keith was able, from different sounds reaching him, to mentally picture most of what occurred in the next room.

He heard Bill sink down into the convenient chair, and drink from the bottle, while the gambler apparently advanced toward the bed, where he stood looking down on its unconscious occupant.
"The fool is dead drunk," he declared disgustedly.

"We can't do anything with him to-night." "I say--throw bucket water over him," hiccoughed the other genially, "allers sobers me off." Hawley made no response, evidently finding a seat on one end of the washstand.
"Hardly worth while, Scott," he returned finally.

"Perhaps I better have some understanding with Christie, anyhow, before I pump the boy any further.