interest was the blind man. He was groping
about the opposite edge of the table, pitifully helpless, but snarling
in impotent and thwarted fury. His right hand was still grasping the
hilt of a vicious-looking, two-edged hunting-knife, whose point
Tresler saw was dripping blood.

Suddenly he turned fiercely on the girl. For the moment he had been
held silent, confounded, but now his voice rang out in an access of
fury.

"You jade!" he cried, and moved as though to attack her.

Tresler was about to leap to her assistance, but at that instant the
man's attention was suddenly diverted. Jake saw his chance and made
for the door. With a bitter imprecation the blind man lunged at him as
he went, fell against the table, and stumbled almost to the ground.
Instantly the girl took advantage of his position and followed Jake
out, slamming the door behind her and swiftly turning the key as she
went.

Diane had shown herself in a new light. Her presence of mind was
startling, and the whole thing was enacted so swiftly that Tresler
failed to grasp the full meaning of it all. Jake had not seen him. In
a blind rush he had made for the hall door and passed out. The only
thing that seemed real to Tresler was Diane's safety, and he caught
her by the arm to take her to the kitchen. But the girl's readiness
would permit of no such waste of time.

"No," she whispered quickly. "Leave me and follow Jake. Joe is in the
kitchen and will protect me if need be. Quick!" she went on, stamping
her foot in her excitement. "Go! Look to him. There must be no murder
done here."

And Tresler was forced, much against his will, to leave her. For the
moment Diane had soared to a height of alertness and ready action
which was irresistible. Without a word he went, passing out of the
front door.

Jake had left the verandah, and, in the moonlight, Tresler could see
him moving down the hill in the direction of his shack. He followed
him swiftly. But he was too late. The whole thing happened before his
very eyes, while he was yet too far off to stay the ruthless act,
before his warning shout could serve.

He saw a figure dart out from the rancher's stable. He saw it halt and
stand. He saw one arm stretched out, and he realized and shouted to
Jake.

The foreman stood, turned, a pistol-shot rang out, and he fell on his
face. Tresler ran forward, but before he could reach him two more
shots rang out, and a third sent its bullet whistling past his own
he