the dark.'

'Stop!' said Harry; but Billy, who had broken away, picked up his heels
and ran.

Harry did not linger, but turned and sped off to wards Shine's home,
leaving Dick cowering against the fence. The young man had no defined
intention--he did not know what he should do if he found Shine in the
house. His divided interests left his mind confused at the crucial
moment, but he did not relax his speed until he was within a few yards of
the searcher's door. Then, to his astonishment, he found lights burning
in the house, and Christina confronted him in the doorway as he was about
to enter. He drew back a step and his eyes sought the ground. He stood
panting and speechless.

'What do you want, Harry?' she asked.

Had she been bitter or angry it might have been easier for him, but her
voice was low and kindly, and he was abashed. He was compelled to force
himself to his purpose, as he might have pushed a backing horse at a
stiff fence.

'I want your father. He is here.' His voice was harsh and strained.

'My father is not in here.'

'He has been seen. Let me pass.'

'No, Harry, you have no right.' She barred the way, tall and calm and
strong.

'No right? No right to take the man who has gaoled my brother--who would
have murdered me?' His blood had mounted to his head; he had put aside
his love as something that tempted him to evil, put it aside by an almost
heroic effort of renunciation. 'I will have him,' he cried; 'the would-be
murderer, the thief.'

'No,' said Christina firmly facing him.

'Then he's here--he is here?

'No.'

'You lie thinking to save him, but the troopers are coming.' He pointed
back into the night. From where he stood the back door was visible, and
he watched it intently.

'The troopers are the officers of the law. I can not deny them, you I
can. Harry, you are fierce and cruel--fierce and unforgiving.' The
reproach was not spoken fretfully; it was quite dispassionate, but it
struck him like a blow and he bent before it, conscious of its injustice
but not daring to deny it. They remained so in silence for a few minutes,
and then heard the rush of the troopers' horses coming up the grass-grown
back road at a gallop.

'They're coming,' said Harry in a low voice.

Christina neither stirred nor spoke, and Monk at the head of four
horsemen swept up to the house.

'To the front, Donovan and Keel,' cried Monk. 'He may make for cover in
those quarries if he bolts.

Casey, stay he