I got somethin' to talk
over with Lee," said Silent.
The others obeyed without question, and the leader turned back to his
lieutenant. For a moment longer they remained staring at each other.
Then Silent moved slowly forward with outstretched hand.
"Lee," he said quietly, "I'm owin' you an apology an' I'm man enough
to make it."
"I can't take your hand, Jim."
Silent hesitated.
"I guess you got cause to be mad, Lee," he said. "Maybe I played too
quick a hand. I didn't think about double crossin' you. I only seen
a way to get Whistlin' Dan out of our path, an' I took it without
rememberin' that you was the safeguard to the girl."
Haines eyed his chief narrowly.
"I wish to God I could read your mind," he said at last, "but I'll
take your word that you did it without thinking."
His hand slowly met Silent's.
"An' what about the girl now, Lee?"
"I'll send her back to her father's ranch. It will be easy to put her
on the right way."
"Don't you see no reason why you can't do that?"
"Are you playing with me?"
"I'm talkin' to you as I'd talk to myself. If she's loose she'll
describe us all an' set the whole range on our trail."
Haines stared.
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