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"I've a right to ask one thing of you--that there will be no bloodshed to-night because of what I have told you"

"There will be none of h Youover my hard-earned dishonest profits to the virtuous Verinder?" he asked dryly

"I don't care how But I won't have on hbor," he said, falling again into the Western drawl he sometimes used as a mark of his friendship for her "But have it your oay I'll not even tote a gat"

"Thank you" She gave him a brisk little nod, suddenly choked up in her throat, and turned to go

Jack fell into step beside her "Have I lost my little friend--the one who used to come to me in er'?" he asked, very gently

She sice and walked on without looking at hi presence Since the innerfloell-packed muscles, in the spare head set so finely on the perfect shoulders, in the steady eyes so frank and self-reliant, surely he was not unworthy the friendship of any woht had he to ask or she to give so esture of despair "How do I know? You are doing wrong, butOh, why do you do such things?"

"It's in my blood not to let prudence stopMy father was that way I'ht an injustice--and I like the excitement--and I daresay I like the loot too," he finished with a reckless laugh

"I wish I could show you horong you are," she cried in a low voice

"You can't I'll goto let low in her quick live eyes was not a reflection of the sun She felt the color flood her cheeks in waves She dared not look at hiaze was fixed on her, that it seemed to bore to the soul and read the hidden secret there A queer lightheadedness affected her It was as if her body ht float away into space She loved him Whatever he was, the man held her heart in the hollow of his careless, reckless hand To hiht enough of her to ask--but she knew the truth about herself from many a passionate hour of despair