n!
But Mabyn had staked all on the first blow; and that failing, there
could be but one result. His fictitious strength suddenly failing, he
collapsed in Garth's arms. Garth wrenched his hand free and hurled him
to the ground, where he lay, livid and sobbing for breath. The attack
had been contrived with devilish cunning; but every design this man
undertook in life was foredoomed to failure.

Garth secured the knife; and stood looking down at the broken wretch,
with strong waves of disgust welling over him. He laughed briefly.

"Too contemptible to kill!" he said; and turned on his heel.

XVII

THE CLUE TO RINA

Rina brought all four horses handily through the wood, bringing up the
rear on the back of old Cy. She slipped off beside Garth, and looked in
the direction where Natalie lay.

"Still sleeping," Garth said.

As Rina's eyes fell on him, they suddenly widened; and plain fear broke
through the mask of her face. "'Erbe't been here!" she said breathlessly.

"How do you know?" he said in surprise.

Rina pointed to his belt. "You got his knife!" she said. "How you get
his knife?"

"He tried to murder me with it," said Garth, watching her face narrowly.

Rina had no more thought for Natalie. "Where is he?" she said agitatedly.
"W'at you do to him?"

"I let him go," Garth said carelessly. "Murder is not exactly in my
line."

"He try to kill you an' you let him go!" she breathed incredulously.
Plainly such magnanimity was outside her ken. She walked away from him,
considering it.

Presently she came back with a swift glide. "You got to promise me not
to 'urt 'Erbe't!" she said, threateningly and passionately.

"If he attacks me, I defend myself--and her," Garth said coolly.

Rina studied the ground. It was impossible for him to tell what was
going on behind her inscrutable eyes. In a moment she went to Natalie as
if nothing had happened; and dropping beside her, listened attentively
to her breathing. Garth, ever watchful, followed her close. When she
arose, they moved off a little to avoid disturbing the patient; and
Rina briefly instructed Garth what he should do during the night.

Garth, not satisfied with merely knowing what to do, asked the reason
of her various measures; whereupon Rina became suddenly evasive.

"But I must know why you do these things," he insisted.

Rina looked away. "I not tell you," she said coolly.

"What does this mean?" he demanded, surprised and frowning.

Ri