But what did Hawley know?
Did he already realize that the girl he had first met on the stage coach, and later inveigled into the desert, was Hope, and not the music hall artist?
He, of course, fully believed her to be Christie Maclaire at that time, but something might have occurred since to change that belief.

Anyhow, the man was not now seeking Hope, but the other.

Apparently the latter was either already here in Sheridan or expected soon.

And exactly what was it the gambler desired this Maclaire woman to do?
This was the important matter, and for its solution Keith possessed merely a few hints, a few vague suggestions.

She was expected to represent herself as Phyllis--Phyllis who?
Some Phyllis surely whose physical resemblance to Hope must be sufficiently marked to be at once noticeable.