I hope that ain't the kind o' girl you're looking arter--is it?
for I reckon she's gin you both the slip." Key protested with a forced laugh that it was not, yet suddenly hesitated to describe Alice; for he instantly recognized the portrait of her friend, the assumed Mrs.Barker.

Skinner continued in lazy confidence:-- "Ye see they say that the sheriff had sorter got the dead wood on that gang o' road agents, and had hemmed 'em in somewhar betwixt Bald Top and Collinson's.

But that woman was one o' their spies, and spotted his little game, and managed to give 'em the tip, so they got clean away.

Anyhow, they ain't bin heard from since.

But the big shake has made scoutin' along the ledges rather stiff work for the sheriff.