Hollis turned slowly in his chair and faced the boy. His cheeks whitened a little. Judge Graney had been right. Hollis had rather expected at some time or other he would have to have it out with Yuma, but he had expected he would have to deal with Yuma himself. He smiled a little grimly. It made very little difference whether he fought Yuma or some other man; when he had elected to remain in Dry Bottom he had realized that he must fight somebody--everybody in the Dunlavey crew. He looked at his watch and saw that the hands pointed to four. Therefore he had two hours to prepare for Ten Spot's coming. He smiled at the boy, looked back into the composing room and saw that Potter had ceased his labors and was leaning on a type case, watching him soberly. He grinned broadly at Potter and turned to Jiggs. "How many _Kickers_ did you sell?" "Two hundred an' ten," returned the latter; "everybody bought them." He took a step forward; his hands clenching with the excitement that still possessed him. "I told you Ten Spot was comin' down here to kill you!" he said hoarsely and insistently. "Didn't you hear me?" "I heard you," smiled Hollis, "and I understand perfectly. But I don't think we need to get excited over it. Just how much money did you receive for the two hundred and ten papers?" "Six dollars an' two bits," responded the boy, regarding Hollis wonderingly. "It is yours," Hollis informed him; "there was to be no charge for the _Kicker_ to-day." The boy grinned with pleasure. "Don't you want none of it?" he inquired. "It is yours," repeated Hollis. He reached out and grasped the boy by the arm, drawing him close. "Now tell me what you heard at the Fashion," he said. Rapidly, but with rather less excitement in his manner than he had exhibited on his entrance, the boy related in detail the conversation he had overheard at the Fashion. When he had finished Hollis patted him approvingly on the back. "The official circulation manager of the _Kicker_ has made good," he said with a smile. "Now go home and take a good rest and be ready to deliver the _Kicker_ next Saturday." The boy backed away and stood looking at Hollis in surprise. "Why!" he said in an awed voice, "you ain't none scared a-tall!" "I certainly am scared," laughed Hollis; "scared that Ten Spot will change his mind before six o'clock. Do you think he will?" "No!" emphatically declared the boy. "I don't reckon that Ten Spot will change his mind a-tall. He'll sure come down here to shoot you!" "That relieves me," returned Hollis dryly. "Now you go home. But," he warned, "don't tell anyone that I am scared." For an instant the boy looked at Hollis critically, searching his face with all a boy's unerring judgment for signs which would tell of insincerity. Seeing none, he deliberately stretched a hand out to Hollis, his lips wreathing into an approving grin.