For an instant Langham met his glance without flinching and then his eyes shifted and sought the floor.

"I'll bet," said Gilmore's cool voice, "I'll bet you what you like I could put my hand on the man who did the murder!" and as he spoke he reached out and by an apparently accidental gesture, rested his hand on Langham's shoulder.

"You wouldn't like to risk any money on that little bet, eh, Marsh ?" He sank back in his chair and applied himself to his cigar in silence, but his eyes never left Langham's face.
Presently he took the cigar from between his strong even teeth.

"Now, I'm going to give you my theory," he said.

"I want to see what you think of it--but remember always, I believe in letting well enough alone! They got North caged in one of those nice new cells down at the jail and that suits me all right! My theory is that the man who killed McBride was needing money mighty badly and he went to McBride as a sort of a last chance.