But though it was in form a question he knew already the answer. For the first time in his life he began to taste the bitterness of defeat. Always he had won what he coveted by brutal force or his stark will. But it was beyond him to compel the love of a girl who had given her heart to another. "Yes," she answered. Her hair in two thick braids was flung across her shoulders, her dark head thrown back proudly from the rounded throat. Macdonald smiled, but there was no mirth in his savage eyes. "Do you know what I want with him--why I have come to get him?" "No." "I've come to take him back to Kusiak to be hanged because he murdered Milton, the bank cashier." The eyes of the woman blazed at him. "Are you mad?" "It's the truth." Macdonald's voice was curt and harsh. "He and Holt were robbing the bank when Milton came back from the dance at the club. The cowards shot down the old man like a dog. They'll hang for it if it costs me my last penny, so help me God." "You say it's the truth," she retorted scornfully. "Do you think I don't know you now--how you twist and distort facts to suit your ends? How long is it since your jackal had him arrested for assaulting you--when Wally Selfridge knew--and you knew--that he had risked his life for you and had saved yours by bringing you to Diane's after he had bandaged your wounds?" "That was different. It was part of the game of politics we were playing." "You admit that you and your friends lied then. Is it like you could persuade me that you're telling the truth now?" The big Alaskan shrugged. "Believe it or not as you like. Anyhow, he's going back with me to Kusiak--and Holt, too, if he's here." An excited cackle cut into the conversation, followed by a drawling announcement from the window. "Your old tillicum is right here, Mac. What's the use of waiting? Why don't you have your hanging-bee now?" CHAPTER XXX HOLT FREES HIS MIND Macdonald whirled in his tracks. Old Gid Holt was leaning on his elbow with his head out of the window. "You better come and beat me up first, Mac," he jeered. "I'm all stove up with a busted laig, so you can wollop me good. I'd come out there, but I'm too crippled to move." "You're not too crippled to go back to Kusiak with me. If you can't walk, you'll ride. But back you go." "Fine. I been worrying about how to get there. It's right good of you to bring one of these here taxis for me, as the old sayin' is." "Where is the rest of the gold you stole?" "I ain't seen the latest papers, Mac. What is this stuff about robbin' a bank and shootin' Milton?" "You're under arrest for robbery and murder." "Am I? Unload the particulars. When did I do it all?" "You know when. Just before you left town." Holt shook his head slowly. "No, sir. I can't seem to remember it. Sure it ain't some one else you're thinking about? Howcome you to fix on me as one of the bold, bad bandits?"