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Dinner at the Lodge was just finished It was the one hour of the day when anything like formality obtained Each one dropped into breakfast when he or she pleased Luncheon rarely found theether But Lady Jim insisted that dinner should be a civilized function Unless there was to be night fishing the whole party usually adjourned fro-room to the river-front porch, where such ar or cigarette To-night nobody cared to get out rod and line In an hour or so they would return to the living-rooe
Voices drifted up the trail and presently riders ca the trees, where one dis as he walked
He bowed to his audience in general, and again and , ma'am My name's Gill--sheriff of this county I hate to trouble you, butThink we could get a snack here? We'll not get to Gunnison till most eleven"
Lady Farquhar rose "I'll have the cook ed Just anything that's handy"
Sheriff Gill beckoned to the men in the trees, who tied their horses and presently came forward All but one of them were heavily armed That one walked between a 30-30 and a 32 special carbine It was observable that the men with the rifles did not lift their eyes froed bird The blood ebbed from her lips and she swayed in her seat The prisoner was Jack Kilirl, let his hand fall upon hers with a co little pressure
"Steady!" his voice murmured so that she alone heard
Yet his own pulse stirred with the sheer melodrama of the scene For as the man came forward it chanced that the luht the blond head and splendid shoulders of the prisoner Never in his gusty lifetiabond enthroned He was coatless, and the strong muscles sloped beautifully from the brown throat A sardonic smile was on the devil-may-care face, and those who saw that smile labeled it impudent, debonair, or whimsical, as fancy pleased
"By Jove, the fellow's a natural-born aristocrat," thought Farquhar, the most democratic of men
Jack Kilmeny nodded with cool equality toward Farquhar and the captain, ignored Verinder, and senially at India For Moya his look had a special ed her with the duty of faith in hi heart