wkward jest now," said the officer. "But law's
law, and orders is orders."

"Oh, we understand that perfectly, Mr. Rogers," said Eleanor. "You
have to do your duty, and of course we are anxious to see that the law
is properly enforced. Don't think we're complaining. But I will admit
I am nervous."

"Nervous, ma'am? Why, there ain't nothin' to be nervous about!"

"I hope you're right, Mr. Rogers. But there are things back of this
attempt to kidnap my two girls here that haven't come out at all yet.
I don't suppose you've heard of them. And it's been suggested to me
that it might not be quite safe for them at Hamilton."

The deputy sheriff laughed heartily at that.

"Safe?" he said. "Well, I should some guess they'll be safe down
there! Sheriff Blaine--he's my boss, ma'am, you see--would jest about
rip the hide off of anyone who tried to tech them young ladies while
they was there obeyin' the orders of the court. Don't you worry none.
We'll look after them all right enough."

"As long as you know that there may be some danger, I shall be
relieved, and feel that everything is all right," said Eleanor,
pleasantly. "It's when we're not expecting their blows that the people
we are afraid of have been able to strike at us successfully. There is
a Mr. Holmes--"

"I know him well, if it's Mr. Holmes, the big storekeeper from the city
you mean, ma'am," interrupted Rogers. "Say, if he's a friend of yours,
you can be sure you'll be looked after all right down to Hamilton. We
think a sight of him down there. He's a fine man, m'am; yes, indeed, a
fine man!"

Eleanor looked startled, and only Bessie's quick pinch of her arm
prevented Dolly from crying out in surprise and disgust. Knowing what
they did of the treachery and meanness of Holmes, this praise of him
was disturbing to a degree. But Eleanor never changed countenance.
She understood, as if by some instinct, that this was a time for
keeping her own counsel.

"I shall go to Hamilton with you," said Eleanor, decidedly. "Will you
be able to wait a little while, Mr. Rogers, while we get ready?"

"Surely, ma'am," said Rogers. "We want to get the train that goes down
from the station here at noon, and that gives us lots of time. If we
start two hours from now we'll catch it, with time to spare."

"Then if you'll sit down and make yourself comfortable," she said,
"we'll be ready when it's time to start."

As soon as Rogers had taken himself off, Elea