play."

"Why, you seen I didn't do nothin'."

"Then what in the world made Sandy freeze while his hand was on the
way to his gun?"

"I dunno," sighed Dan, "but when I see his hand start movin' I sort of
wanted his blood--I _wanted_ him to keep right on till he got hold of
his gun--and maybe he seen it in my eyes an' that sort of changed his
mind."

"I haven't the least doubt that it did," said Calder grimly.

At the foot of the table Jacqueline's right-hand neighbour was saying:
"What happened, Jac?"

"Don't ask me," she replied. "All I know is that I don't think any
less of Sandy because he backed down. I saw that stranger's face
myself an' I'm still sort of weak inside."

"How did he look?"

"I dunno. Jest--jest _hungry_. Understand?"

She was silent for a time, but she was evidently thinking hard. At
last she turned to the same man.

"Did you hear Brown-eyes say that the broad-shouldered feller next to
him was his friend?"

"Sure. I seen them ride in together. That other one looks like a hard
nut, eh?"

She returned no answer, but after a time her eyes raised slowly and
rested for a long moment on Dan's face. It was towards the end of
the meal when she rose and went towards the kitchen. At the door
she turned, and Dan, though he was looking down at his plate, was
conscious that someone was observing him. He glanced up and the moment
his eyes met hers she made a significant backward gesture with her
hand. He hesitated a moment and then shoved back his chair. Calder was
busy talking to a table mate, so he walked out of the house without
speaking to his companion. He went to the rear of the house and as he
had expected she was waiting for him.

"Brown-eyes," she said swiftly, "that feller who sat beside you--is he
your partner?"

"I dunno," said Dan evasively, "why are you askin'?"

Her breath was coming audibly as if from excitement.

"Have you got a fast hoss?"

"There ain't no faster."

"Believe me, he can't go none too fast with you tonight. Maybe they're
after you, too."

"Who?"

"I can't tell you. Listen to me, Brown-eyes. Go get your hoss an' feed
him the spur till you're a hundred miles away, an' even then don't
stop runnin'."

He merely stared at her curiously.

She stamped.

"Don't stop to talk. If they're after him and you're his partner, they
probably want you, too."

"I'll stay aroun'. If they're curious about me, I'll tell 'em my
name--I'll even spell it for 'em. Who are