Beth Norvell

"She only came to show me the way," she explained bravely. "I-I have a

most important message for Mr. Winston. Where is he?"

"Important, d-did you s-s-say?"

"Yes, its delivery means life or death--for Heaven's sake, take me to

him!"

For a single breathless moment Brown hesitated, his eyes on the girl's

upturned face, evidently questioning her real purpose.

"I c-can't right n-now, Miss," he finally acknowledged, gravely;

"that's s-straight; fer ye s-s-see, he 's down the 'I-I-Independence'

shaft."