MULLENDORE WINS
" Tell mc, Pete I " She shook him hard. " Say it — quick! "
He muttered thickly:
"What for?"
"You're a liar, Pete MuUendore!" she taunted. " You don't know. You haven't any idea where Katie Prentice's father lives! "
The gibe brought no response ; yet slowly, so gradually that it was not possible to tell when it began, a look that was wholly rational came into his eyes. He blinked, touched his dry lips with his dry tongue and, turning his head, recognized her without surprise.
" Git me a drink."
She held a dipper to his lips.
He fixed his eyes upon her face.
"I been sick?"
" Spotted fever."
He stirred slightly.
"What's this?" A weak astonishment was in his voice, as he felt a rope across his arms and chest.
" To keep you in bed."
"I been — loony?"
She nodded.
He looked at her quizzically.
" Emptied my sack? "
" You've talked."
He lay motionless, starmg at her fixedly; then, as if arriving at a conclusion :
" Guess I didn't say much."
" You said plenty," significantly.
" But not enough, eh? " he jeered.
She regarded him silently.
"Where am I, anyhow?"
" In my camp."
267
