"Nothing," said the Deacon calmly. "You've lost. The Indians have been here and got most of their plunder. Your five hundred is now the property of a person named 'Two Strikes' who will, doubtless, call presently and secure the indemnity, less my reasonable 5 per cent. commission." Jim turned in silence. As he joined Belle, she said, "Here, Jim, help me down; I want a word with the Deacon." Jim stammered, "I--well--ah----" She paid no attention, but said, "Now lead the horses over there." When he was safely away, she entered. The Deacon's eyes twinkled. "Good afternoon, Two Strikes, you people have made a great killing." "Yes," she said calmly; "I've come for my share." He opened the safe, took out the last of the packets tied up in a particular shape, and said in businesslike tone, "Two hundred and fifty dollars premium, five hundred dollars insurance, 5 per cent, on indemnity collected is twenty-five dollars; shall I hold it out?" "No," she said; "I'll keep that bunch untouched. Here it is." She handed him his twenty-five dollars, put the seven hundred and fifty dollars in her side bag, and went forth. Jim stared at her in a frightened way as she came. "Belle," he said huskily, "what did he say?" "Oh, nothing special. Judging from his looks, I don't think he's lost any money." "Did--did he tell you anything?" "About what?" "About me?" "No. Why? Why do you look so terribly upset, Jim?" and mounting, she rode off beside him. "Oh, Belle, I can't lie to you. I'll tell you all about it. Belle, I put up all I had, the money I got for Blazing Star. All we were to furnish with. I wanted to hand you the money _you_ wanted. Calling it insurance blinded me; the temptation was too much. I should have known better. Oh, Belle, will you ever forgive me? I'm nothing but a gambler," and, crushed with shame, he repeated, "I'm nothing but a criminal racetrack gambler." An overwhelming compassion swamped her. She leaned toward him and said softly, "So am I, Jim, I'm just as bad as you are." "What--what do you mean?" "Jim, do you know the name of the Indian that got your stake?" "Yes. He said it was 'Two Strikes.'" "Jim, dear, I am 'Two Strikes.' Here is your money back; only it's our money now, Jim darling. Now never a word of this to any human soul"; and screened by the cottonwood trees, they fell sobbing in each other's arms. CHAPTER XLIII Finding the Lost One Colonel Waller had been telegraphing from Cedar Mountain to all reachable parts of the North where the Crows were likely to be, without getting one word of comfort. Then up to the door of his house the morning after the devastating race came Red Cloud of the calm, square face, and behind him riding, a dozen braves. At precisely the right moment prescribed by etiquette, he opened: "Me savvy now why you no run heap good horse." "Humph!" said Waller. "Didn't I tole you watch when Crow come?" "Humph!" was the answer. "You no got him back yet--no?"