u will punish a woman
for your spite against a man? I did not think that of you. I believe
Stella Fosdick was carried off by you, of your men, acting under your
instructions."

Shan Rhue's only reply was a sneering laugh.

"If I discover that what I say is true," said Ted, in a low voice so
full of purpose that it was in itself a warning, "you will be the
sorriest man in all this country. I will make you suffer by it even as
you have caused suffering to others."

"So you have suffered, eh? That is good! Now I am a little better
satisfied. But my debt to you is not yet paid. There are other things in
store for you."

"What do you mean, you dog? By Heaven, I know now that you did cause her
abduction, and I shall find her. You cannot keep me away from the place
in which you have hidden her. I shall find her if she is at the end of
the earth. When I do find her, if anything has harmed her, you, Shan
Rhue, gambler, thief, and murderer, shall pay for it, and pay heavier
than for any amusement you have had in all your miserable lying,
thieving career."

As the epithets addressed to Shan Rhue left Ted's lips, the bully sprang
back, and made a motion to draw his six-shooter.

But before he had his hand on his hip his eyes were looking into the
bore of Ted's forty-four. Instead of drawing a gun, therefore, he pulled
out his handkerchief and wiped his dry lips.

Shan Rhue feared Ted Strong.

"Remember," said Ted, before turning away, "I know that you have
spirited Stella Fosdick away. But I shall find her, and when I am sure
of it you better leave the country before I reach the place where you
are, for as sure as I am standing here I will make my previous
experience with you so tame that you will be glad to crawl in the dust
on your face to be forgiven."

"Ha, ha!" laughed Shan Rhue. "So it hurts as bad as that, eh? Good!"

He went away laughing, and it was all Ted could do to control himself,
and keep from leaping upon him and punching him. Instead, he jumped into
his saddle and rode Sultan like the wind out to the cow camp.

For several days he had paid no attention to the herd, leaving it under
the general direction of Bud, while he stayed in town trying to hear
some news of Stella, or was riding all over the country with one or
another of the boys, searching for her.

As he rode into camp with disappointment and dejection written on his
face, he was met by Mrs. Graham, who had grown pale and wan with
anxiety.