"
Her head fell back a little and in the dim light, for the first time,
he saw her face with some degree of clearness, and started at its
pallor.
"What's the matter, Kate--dear?" he said anxiously.
"What of Dan?" she asked faintly.
"I don't know. He's outlawed. He's done for. The whole range will be
against him. But why are you so worried about him, Kate?--when he told
me that you loved me--"
She straightened.
"Love? _You?_"
His face lengthened almost ludicrously.
"But why--Dan came for me--he said you sent him--he--" he broke down,
stammering, utterly confused.
"This is why I sent him!" she answered, and throwing open the door
gestured to him to enter.
He followed her and saw the lean figure of old Joe Cumberland lying on
a blanket close to the wall.
"That's why!" she whispered.
"How does he come here?"
"Ask the devil in his human form! Ask your friend, Jim Silent!"
He walked into the outer room with his head low. He found the others
already returned. Their carefully controlled grins spoke volumes.
"Where's Silent?" he asked heavily.
"He's gone," said Jordan.
Hal Purvis took Haines to one side.
"Take a brace," he urged.
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