rn. The doctor was
standing beside the window gazing out over the pastures, but he turned
at once as they came in.

"A nasty case, Mr. Marbolt," he said, the moment the rancher had taken
up his position. "A very nasty case." He was a brusque little man with
a pair of keen black eyes, which he turned on the blind man curiously.
"An artery cut by bullet. Small artery. Your daughter most cleverly
stopped bleeding. Many thanks to her. Patient lost gallons of blood.
Precarious position--very. No danger from wound now. Exhaustion only.
Should he bleed again--death. But he won't; artery tied up securely.
Miss Marbolt says you desire patient removed to usual quarters. I say
no! Remove him--artery break afresh--death. Sheriff, I order
distinctly this man remains where he is. Am I right? Have I right?"

"Undoubtedly." Then Fyles turned upon the blind man. "His orders are
your law, Mr. Marbolt," he said. "And you, of course, will be held
responsible for any violation of them."

The blind man nodded in acquiescence.

"Good," said the doctor, rubbing his hands. "Nothing more for me now.
Return to-morrow. Miss Marbolt, admirable nurse. Wish I was patient.
He will be about again in two weeks. Artery small. Health good--young.
Oh, yes, no fear. Only exhaustion. Hope you catch villains.
Good-morning. Might have severed jugular--near shave."

Doc. Osler bowed to the girl and passed out muttering, "Capital
nurse--beautiful." His departure brought the rancher to his feet, and
he groped his way to the door. As he passed his daughter he paused and
gently patted her on the back.

"Ah, child," he said, with a world of tolerant kindness in his voice,
"I still think you are wrong. He would have been far better in his own
quarters, his familiar surroundings, and amongst his friends. You are
quite inexperienced, and these men understand bullet wounds as well as
any doctor. However, have your way. I hope you won't have cause to
regret it."

"All right, father," Diane replied, without turning her eyes from the
contemplation of her sick lover.

And Fyles, standing at the foot of the bed watching the scene,
speculated shrewdly as to the relations in which the girl and her
patient stood, and the possible parental disapproval of the same.
Certainly he had no idea of the matters which had led up to the
necessity for his official services to enforce the doctor's orders.

CHAPTER XVII

THE LIGHTED LAMP

Diane was by no means satisfie