or your own sake," she
cried. "It will then be known that you have kept Jose all these months,
and that it was he who escaped the night I danced. Do you think the
sheriff will forgive you that you lied to him and fooled him? I guess
not. And then you sheltered Jose and hid him after that. On your own
account you can't let him be taken."

Gallito smiled in unpleasant triumph. "If I should turn state's evidence
for so notorious a criminal as Crop-eared Jose I should certainly get
immunity myself. I was weak, yes, in my unfortunate desire to reform a
fellow countryman, but finding all my efforts hopeless, I at last saw my
duty and gave him up."

For the moment fear almost overcame Pearl, and then her high spirit
flared. "And you would give poor Jose up," she said. "I would never have
believed it, and yet I see you really would do it, just to have me obey
your will. But you can't do it, and you won't do it. I tell you now, if
you even dare threaten such a thing, I will send for the sheriff and I
will tell him the whole story. I will let him know what you are. And
more, too"--she made quick steps toward him--"I will have you arrested
for assaulting Harry."

"Ho, ho!" he laughed loudly. "Self-defense, my girl, self-defense. Who
could prove anything else? Who would take your word under the
circumstances?"

"But I will tell more, much more," she cried, all aflame now. "I will
tell of all the cut-throats and thieves you have sheltered in your cabin
from time to time. I know their names and I will prove what I say. I
will show them the chamber in the mine where Jose is hiding. What will
they think of that? You have a high standing in Colina and in other
places. You are respected. Are you willing to give all that up just so
you can force me to sign with Sweeney? I don't believe it, I won't
believe it. But as sure as you don't help Jose to escape, so sure will I
do what I say. Oh," she stopped suddenly, a sob in her voice, "oh, here
comes Bob, Bob and Hughie!" For the first time she left the doorway in
which she had remained protectingly, and ran forward to meet the two who
were rapidly mounting the hill.

"Oh, Bob!" she cried. "Oh, Hughie! I knew you two wouldn't go back on
me. I knew you'd come sooner or later, both of you."

Hughie clung to her, one arm around her, and Flick's hard and impassive
face softened a little as he gazed at her. "Why, Pearl, what's the
matter?" he asked. "You look pale, and tears! Why, that ain't