absently study-ing the tips of her
slim, shapely shoes. "Possess your soul in peace. I think I know him."

"Are you defending the braggart?"

"Not at all! I detest him," cried the girl, springing to her feet, her
face crimsoning. "He is perfectly abominable."

"I--I wouldn't speak quite so loudly, my dear," cautioned her aunt,
glancing at the door uneasily--"It would be like him to listen outside
the door,--or at any rate, one of his men may have been set to spy
upon--"

"Don't be silly, Aunt Julia. And don't be afraid. Mr. Percival isn't
going to make us walk the plank for mutiny, or put us in chains,--or
outrage us,--if that is what you are thinking. Now, go to bed, you old
dear, and--"

"I insist on your staying in my room, Ruth. He is in love with you."

"He can be in love with me and still be a gentleman, can't he, Aunt
Julia? Don't worry! I shall sleep in my own room. I may even go so far
as to leave my door unlocked."

"What! And if he should come to--"

"Ah, I shan't send him word that it's unlocked, dear," scoffed Ruth,
finding a malicious enjoyment in her aunt's dismay. "Good-night. Sleep
tight! We must sleep while we have the opportunity, you know. Our lazy
days will soon be over. He says we've all got to work like,--I think he
said dogs."

"Oh, dear me. I,--I wonder what is to become of us?" moaned the wretched
lady. "After what he tried to do to Abel Landover, there is no telling
to what lengths he may go in--By the way, has Mr. Landover reported to
Captain Trigger that the fellow attempted to shoot him this morning?"

"Of course not, Aunt Julia."

"Well, I think it is his duty to do so. Captain Trigger should take
drastic means to curb this--"

"You forget that Mr. Landover maintains that Captain Trigger and all
the other officers are like putty in the hands of Mr. Percival. I am
beginning to believe it myself. He--he has got them all hypnotized."

"He hasn't got me hypnotized!" exclaimed Mrs. Spofford.

"In any case, he is in the saddle," sighed Ruth.

"He deliberately tried to kill Mr. Landover," said the other. "Is
nothing to be done about it? We heard the shot,--every one heard it. And
no one has the courage to say a word about it! What a lot of cowards we
are! I don't see why he refuses to let me take the matter up with the
Captain. Captain Trigger ought to know the truth."

Ruth was silent for a moment or two. "It's hard for me to believe, Aunt
Julia, that he would attack a defenc