“You’re goin’ to Judge Graney’s place, an’ you’re goin’ to sign a paper showin’ you paid me the money for my cattle.  You ain’t goin’ to make any noise on the way, or to Judge Graney.  You’re goin’ to do the talkin’ an’ tell Graney that you want him to witness the deal.  An’ you’re goin’ to do it without him gettin’ wise that I’m forcin’ you.  You’ll have to do some actin’, an’ if you fall down on this job you’ll never have to act again!  Get goin’!”

Maison was careful not to make any noise as he went down the stairs; he was equally careful when he reached the street.

In a short time, Sanderson walking close behind him, he halted at a door of a private dwelling.  He knocked on the door, and a short, squat man appeared in the opening, holding a kerosene lamp in one hand and a six-shooter in the other.

He recognized Maison instantly and politely asked him and his visitor inside.  There Maison stated his business, and the judge, though revealing some surprise that so big a transaction should be concluded at so uncommon an hour, attested the paper made out by Maison, and signed the receipt for ninety thousand dollars written by Sanderson and given to the banker.  Then, still followed by Sanderson, the banker went out.

There was no word spoken by either of the men until they again reached the bank building.  Then it was Sanderson who spoke.

“That’s all, Maison,” he said.  “Talk, if you must—­mebbe it’ll keep you from explodin’.  But if there’s any more meddlin’ with my affairs—­by you—­I’m comin’ for you again.  An’ the next time it’ll be to make you pay for my men!”

He slipped behind the bank building and was gone.  A little later, still standing where Sanderson had left him, he saw the Double A man riding swiftly across country toward the neck of the basin.

Maison went slowly upstairs, lighted a lamp, and looked at his reflection in a glass.  He sighed, blew out the light, got into bed and stretched out in relief, feeling that he had got out of the affair cheaply enough, considering all things.

And remembering what Sanderson had told him about returning, he determined that if Judge Graney said nothing of the occurrence he would never mention it.  For he did not want Sanderson to pay him another visit.

CHAPTER XXII

A MAN FROM THE ABYSS

At about the time Sanderson was entering Okar, Alva Dale was letting himself into the door of his office at the Bar D ranchhouse.  Dale’s thoughts, because of the sensuous longing with which he had always looked upon Peggy Nyland, had become abysmal.  Silverthorn had warned him that the dragging of a woman into the plot would be fatal to their aims, but Dale had paid no heed to Silverthorn.  During the day he had kept thinking of the girl until now he could no longer restrain himself.  His face was bestial with passion as he entered his office.