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"In ay?" queried Cleve, blanching

"They think you're the one who has talked They bla"

"Well, they're absolutely wrong," declared Cleve, in a ringing

voice

"I know they are Mind you I' I distrust you I don't

I swear by you But Pearce--"

"So it's Pearce," interrupted Cleve, darkly "I thought you said he

hadn't tried to put me in bad with you"

"He hasn't He siht to them

So have all the men And, to come to the point, they all think

you're crooked because you're honest!"

"I don't understand," replied Cleve, slowly

"Jim, you rode into Cabin Gulch, and you raised soion, but you've never become a

bandit Here you've been an honest ot so it doesn't suit my men You work every day

hard You've struck it rich You're well thought of in Alder Creek

You've never done a dishonest thing Why, you wouldn't turn a

crooked trick in a card gaold This has hurt

you with my men They can't see as I see, that you're as square as