Page:Tongues of Flame (1924).pdf/218

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hands and dreamed his dreams in, burned to ashes by sworn deputies. That was another operation of the law that a mere Siwash would find difficult to understand.

"But that was an act of lawlessness," frowned Henry. "What right had you to burn Adam John's house?"

"What right! The damned killer. Why didn't we have the right? It'll throw the fear of God into others of 'em too."

Harrington looked into the indignant faces thoughtfully and was silent, smothering something.

"Henry, you know, is a kind of a nut about this law-and-order stuff," elucidated Miller to Simpson as they went down the steps.

As soon as the banks were open, Henry sent Thorpe out for some currency. It was lying on his desk when Lahleet came in. He greeted her with a cordial smile but hers was a trifle wan. She was worn and anxious.

"You know what they did?" asked Henry.

"I saw the smoke—the savages!"

"Anyway, it helped them to vent their rage cheaply. There is no more talk of lynching; and our only consideration now is Adam John's defense. Here!" Henry shifted the paper-weight and took up and laid down before the girl's astonished eyes five one-hundred-dollar bills. "Take this down to Stacey Thompson and give it to him as a retainer. Don't tell him where it came from. I think it best for both of us that I should not appear in the matter, but I am going to see that Adam John has a fair trial. Promise him any fee he may demand. It will be forthcoming."

The girl's soul was in her eyes. She held her hand off from the money and then accepted it, timidly at