Laughing Bill leaned forward and studied the picture approvingly. "Some queen, all right. Blonde, I reckon." "Sure. You like blondes?" "Who, me? I ain't strong for no kind of women. You hate her, don't you?" The young man smiled more widely, his whole face lit up. "I hate her so much that I kissed her good-by and sailed away to make a quick fortune. I hope Alaska's unhealthy." "Yeah?" "You see, I'm a doctor. I'm a good doctor, too, but it takes a long time to prove it, out in the States, and I can't wait a long time." Mr. Hyde pondered briefly. "I don't see's you got much on me, Doc," he said. "I frisk 'em while they're good and healthy, and you 'take' 'em when they're feeble. I don't see no difference to speak of." "It's an interesting viewpoint," the physician agreed, seriously enough, "and I respect every man's opinion. Tell me, how did you acquire that cough?" "Livin' in a ground-floor apartment." "What's your business?" "Harness-maker." "Hm-m! You'll do well up here." The doctor was highly entertained. "I understand there's a horse at Nome." "_A_ horse!" "Alaska isn't a stock country." Laughing Bill was genuinely surprised. "No horses!" he murmured. "How the hell do you get away?" "You don't. You stay and face the music." "Now what do you know about that?" There was a brief silence. "Well, I bet I'll turn my hand to something." "No doubt. You impress me as a man of resource." The doctor's eyes twinkled and Bill smiled. A bond of friendly understanding had already sprung up between the two men. "Now then, I'm interested in your case. I've a notion to try to cure you." "Nothing doin' on the fees. I'm a dead card." "Oh, I won't charge you anything! I'm merely interested in obscure ailments, and, if I'm not mistaken, you suffer from more than one--well, disease. I think you need curing about as badly as any man I ever saw." Now Laughing Bill was not skilled in subtleties, and his relief at extricating himself from a trying predicament banished any resentment he might have felt at the doctor's double meaning. Since the latter was a good-natured, harmless individual he decided to humor him, and so, after they had visited for an hour or more, Mr. Hyde discreetly withdrew. But, oddly enough, during the days immediately following, Laughing Bill grew to like the young fellow immensely. This in itself was a novel experience, for the ex-convict had been a "loner" all his-life, and had never really liked any one. Dr. Evan Thomas, however, seemed to fill some long-felt want in Hyde's hungry make-up. He fitted in smoothly, too, and despite the latter's lifelong habit of suspicion, despite his many rough edges, he could not manage to hold the young man at a distance.