man's smooth plausibility made Levins'
recital seem like the weird imaginings of a disordered mind, goaded to
desperation by opposition. And again, his magnetism, his polite
consideration for her feelings, his ingenuous, smiling deference--so
sharply contrasted with Trevison's direct bluntness--swayed her, and she
sat, perplexed, undecided, when he finished the explanation she had coldly
demanded of him.

"It is the invariable defense of these squatters," he added; "that they
are being robbed. In this case they have embellished their hackneyed tale
somewhat by dragging the court into it, and telling you that absurd story
about the shooting of Marchmont. Could you tell me what possible interest
I could have in wanting Marchmont killed? Don't you think, Miss Rosalind,
that Levins' reference to his sister discloses the real reason for the
man's action? Levins' story that I paid him a thousand dollars is a
fabrication, pure and simple. I paid Jim Marchmont a thousand dollars that
morning, which was the balance due him on our contract. The transaction
was witnessed by Judge Lindman. After Marchmont was shot, Levins took the
money from him."

"Why wasn't Levins arrested?"

"It seems that public opinion was with Levins. A great many people here
knew of the ancient trouble between them." He passed from that, quickly.
"The tale of the robbery of Trevison's office is childlike, for the reason
that Trevison had no deed. Judge Lindman is an honored and respected
official. And--" he added as a last argument "--your father is the
respected head of a large and important railroad. Is it logical to suppose
that he would lend his influence and his good name to any such ridiculous
scheme?"

She sighed, almost convinced. Corrigan went on, earnestly:

"This man Trevison is a disturber--he has always been that. He has no
respect for the law or property. He associates with the self-confessed
murderer, Levins. He is a riotous, reckless, egotistical fool who, because
the law stands in the way of his desires, wishes to trample it under foot
and allow mob rule to take its place. Do you remember you mentioned that
he once loved a woman named Hester Keyes? Well, he has brought Hester
here--"

She got up, her chin at a scornful angle. "I do not care to hear about his
personal affairs." She went out, mounted her horse, and rode slowly out
the Bar B trail. From a window Corrigan watched her, and as she vanished
into the distance he turned back