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Joan stumbled in the darkness up the rude steps to her roo the poles in readiness to close her door, she

coe of her nerves,

alht of such nificance for her

But why she could not fatho tide of events--a tide that one outside The strong, deep voices' grew less distinct

Evidently theaway In her suspense Joan was

disappointed Presently, however, they returned; they had been

walking to and fro After a few moments Kells entered alone The

cabin was now so dark that Joan could barely distinguish the bandit

Then he lighted the lanterns He hung up several on the wall and

placed two upon the table Fro his effects he

produced a sun, he laid on the table before the seat he an a slow pacing up and down the

room, his hands behind his back, his head bent in deep and absorbing

thought What a dark, sinister, plotting figure! Joan had seen ht, but here was a ible yet terrible loo in the saddles and bridles and weapons on the wall; that

book and pencil and gun seemed to contain the dark deeds of wild

men; and all about the bandit hovered a power sinister in its old

Kells lifted his head, as if listening, and then the whole hed upon hieneral about to inspect a line of soldiers Kells faced the

door, keen, stern, co The heavy tread of booted men, the

clink of spurs, the low,had arrived Would Ji them?

Joan wanted a better position in which to watch and listen She