I was in Langham's office late yesterday and John North was there; he left to go to McBride's.

Conklin's been looking for him this morning, but he can't find him, and no one seems to know what's become of him.

Do you follow me ?" "What's North got to do with it, boss ?" "How do you know it wasn't North you saw in the alley ?" urged Gilmore.
"It were not!" said Joe Montgomery positively.
"You saw the man's face ?" "As plain as I see yours!" "And you know the man ?" "Yes." "Then I'll tell you who you saw," said the gambler coolly; "it was Marshall Langham." The handy-man swore a great oath.
"You've guessed it, boss! You've guessed it." "It ain't a guess as it happens." "Boss, do you mean to tell me you knew all along ?" demanded Montgomery incredulously.
"Yes." "But what about North ?" "That's his lookout, let him clear himself." Joe, shambling and shuffling, took a turn about the room.
"Boss, if it was me that stood in his boots the halter would be as good as about my neck; they wouldn't give me no chance to clear myself,--they wouldn't let me! Them smart lawyers would twist and turn everything I said so that God A'mighty wouldn't know His own truth!" "Well, you were in that alley, Joe; if you feel for him, I expect we could somehow shift it to you!" said Gilmore.
The handy-man slouched to the hearth again.
"None of that, boss!" he cried.

"I've told you what took me there, so none of that!" His voice shook with suppressed feeling, as he stood there scowling down on the gambler.
"Sit down, Joe!" said Mr.Gilmore, unruffled.
Reluctantly the handy-man sank into the chair indicated.
"Now you old sot," began the gambler, "you listen to me! I suppose if they could shift suspicion so that it would appear you had had something to do with the old man's murder, it would take Moxlow and the judge and any decent jury no time at all to hang you; for who would care a damn whether you were hanged or not! But you needn't worry, I'm going to manage this thing for you, I'm going to see that you don't get into trouble.

Now, listen, you're to let well enough alone.