Sit down! Very well, then--stand up! It's your own house." His half cynical, wholly contemptuous ignoring of the real issue between them was more crushing to Demorest than the keenest reproach or most tragic outburst.

He did not lift his eyes as Blandford resumed in a dry, business-like way: "When I came across the plains to California, I fell in with a man about my own age--an emigrant also.

I suppose I looked and acted like a crazy fool through all the journey, for he satisfied himself that I had some secret reason for leaving the States, and suspected that I was, like himself--a criminal.

I afterwards learned that he was an escaped thief and assassin.

Well, he played upon me all the way here, for I didn't care to reveal my real trouble to him, lest it should get back to North liberty--" He interrupted himself with a sarcastic laugh.