f here!" ordered Longstreth; and he turned to his
daughter.

Before the innkeeper reached the robber Duane had secured the money and
gun taken from him; and presently recovered the property of the other
men. Joel helped the innkeeper carry the injured man somewhere outside.

Miss Longstreth was sitting white but composed upon the couch, where lay
Miss Ruth, who evidently had been carried there by the Colonel. Duane
did not think she had wholly lost consciousness, and now she lay very
still, with eyes dark and shadowy, her face pallid and wet. The Colonel,
now that he finally remembered his women-folk, seemed to be gentle and
kind. He talked soothingly to Miss Ruth, made light of the adventure,
said she must learn to have nerve out here where things happened.

"Can I be of any service?" asked Duane, solicitously.

"Thanks; I guess there's nothing you can do. Talk to these frightened
girls while I go see what's to be done with that thick-skulled robber,"
he replied, and, telling the girls that there was no more danger, he
went out.

Miss Longstreth sat with one hand holding her torn waist in place; the
other she extended to Duane. He took it awkwardly, and he felt a strange
thrill.

"You saved my life," she said, in grave, sweet seriousness.

"No, no!" Duane exclaimed. "He might have struck you, hurt you, but no
more."

"I saw murder in his eyes. He thought I had jewels under my dress. I
couldn't bear his touch. The beast! I'd have fought. Surely my life was
in peril."

"Did you kill him?" asked Miss Ruth, who lay listening.

"Oh no. He's not badly hurt."

"I'm very glad he's alive," said Miss Longstreth, shuddering.

"My intention was bad enough," Duane went on. "It was a ticklish place
for me. You see, he was half drunk, and I was afraid his gun might go
off. Fool careless he was!"

"Yet you say you didn't save me," Miss Longstreth returned, quickly.

"Well, let it go at that," Duane responded. "I saved you something."

"Tell me all about it?" asked Miss Ruth, who was fast recovering.

Rather embarrassed, Duane briefly told the incident from his point of
view.

"Then you stood there all the time with your hands up thinking of
nothing--watching for nothing except a little moment when you might draw
your gun?" asked Miss Ruth.

"I guess that's about it," he replied.

"Cousin," said Miss Longstreth, thoughtfully, "it was fortunate for us
that this gentleman happened to be here. Papa scouts--laughs a