r legally or forcibly. The latter especially, since it would cost
you far more than you would find it pleasant to pay."

He expected to witness one of those outbursts of fury such as the
blind man had recently displayed toward Jake in his presence. But
nothing of the kind happened. His manner remained the same.

"I am sorry," he said, with something almost like a smile. "You drive
me to an alternative, which, if less convenient, is perhaps, on the
whole, more satisfactory. My daughter will have to go. I was prepared
for this, and have already made arrangements for her to visit certain
friends this day fortnight, for an indefinite period. You quite
understand, Tresler, you will not see her again. She will remain away
until you leave here. Of course, in the meantime, should you take it
into your head to follow her, you are clear-headed enough to see that
your agreement with me would be broken. Then she would return at once,
and the question of force to keep you apart would be entirely in my
hands. Further, I must tell you that while she is away she will be
living in an obscure settlement many miles from here, where all
letters addressed to her will be opened before she receives them."

The blind man turned away, indicating that the interview was ended,
but Tresler stood his ground, though he fully realized how thoroughly
this man had outwitted him.

"At least she will be happier away from here," he said significantly.

"I don't know," retorted the other, with diabolical meaning.

Tresler's exasperation could no longer be restrained. "Your conduct is
inhuman to thus persecute a helpless girl, your daughter."

"Ah, my daughter. Yes?"

But the other gave no heed to the sneer. "You have no right to stand
between us," he went on angrily. "You have no reasonable grounds. I
tell you straight I will not submit. When your daughter is of age I
will take her from this home, which is no home to her, from you who
have never been a father to her."

"True," assented the other, with an aggravating calmness.

"You will have no power to interfere then. The law----"

"Enough of this nonsense," the rancher interrupted, with his first
sign of impatience. "You'll never marry Diane while I live. Take it
from me. Now--get out!"

And somehow, in spite of himself, Tresler found himself outside the
house and moving in the direction of the bunkhouse at the most rapid
pace his weakness permitted. But before he reached his destination
Ja