"Not entirely," said John Mark calmly, "not entirely, you see?"

As he spoke they heard again the unmistakable sound of a rifle shot, and
then another and another, ringing from the place where the two hills
leaned over the road.

"It's Kruger," declared John Mark calmly. "That chivalrous idiot, Doone,
apparently shot him down and didn't wait to finish him. Very clever work
on his part, but very sloppy. However, he seems to have wounded Kruger
so badly that my gunman can't hit his mark."

For Ronicky Doone, if it were indeed he, was still galloping down the
road, more and more clearly discernible, while the rifle firing behind
him ceased.

"Of course that firing will be the alarm for Lefty," went on John Mark,
seeming to enjoy the spectacle before him, as if it were a thing from
which he was entirely detached. "And Lefty can make his choice. Kruger
was his pal. If he wants to revenge the fall of Kruger he may shoot from
behind a tree. If not, he'll shoot from the open, and it will be an even
fight."

The terror of it all, the whole realization, sprang up in the girl. In a
moment she was crying: "Stop him, John--for Heaven's sake, find a way to
stop him."

"There is only one power that can turn the trick, I'm afraid," answered
John Mark. "That power is Lefty."

"If he shoots Lefty he'll come straight toward us on his way to the
house, and if he sees you--"

"If he sees me he'll shoot me, of course," declared Mark.

She stared at him. "John," she said, "I know you're brave, but you won't
try to face him?"

"I'm fairly expert with a gun." He added: "But it's good of you to be
concerned about me."

"I am concerned, more than concerned, John. A woman has premonitions,
and I tell you I know, as well as I know I'm standing here, that if you
face Ronicky Doone you'll go down."

"You're right," replied Mark. "I fear that I have been too much of a
specialist, so I shall not face Doone."

"Then start for the house--and hurry!"

"Run away and leave you here?"

The dust cloud and the figure of the rider in it were sweeping rapidly
down on the grove in the hollow, where Lefty waited. And the girl was
torn between three emotions: Joy at the coming of the adventurer, fear
for him, terror at the thought of his meeting with Mark.

"It would be murder, John! I'll go with you if you'll start now!"

"No," he said quietly, "I won't run. Besides it is impossible for him to
take you from me."

"Impossible?" she asked.