gerness. But ever and anon it was shot through with a remembrance of
Ray Longstreth. He suspected her father of being not what he pretended.
He might, very probably would, bring sorrow and shame to this young
woman. The thought made him smart with pain. She began to haunt him,
and then he was thinking more of her beauty and sweetness than of the
disgrace he might bring upon her. Some strange emotion, long locked
inside Duane's heart, knocked to be heard, to be let out. He was
troubled.

Upon returning to the inn he found Laramie there, apparently none the
worse for his injury.

"How are you, Laramie?" he asked.

"Reckon I'm feelin' as well as could be expected," replied Laramie. His
head was circled by a bandage that did not conceal the lump where he had
been struck. He looked pale, but was bright enough.

"That was a good crack Snecker gave you," remarked Duane.

"I ain't accusin' Bo," remonstrated Laramie, with eyes that made Duane
thoughtful.

"Well, I accuse him. I caught him--took him to Longstreth's court. But
they let him go."

Laramie appeared to be agitated by this intimation of friendship.

"See here, Laramie," went on Duane, "in some parts of Texas it's policy
to be close-mouthed. Policy and health-preserving! Between ourselves, I
want you to know I lean on your side of the fence."

Laramie gave a quick start. Presently Duane turned and frankly met his
gaze. He had startled Laramie out of his habitual set taciturnity; but
even as he looked the light that might have been amaze and joy faded out
of his face, leaving it the same old mask. Still Duane had seen enough.
Like a bloodhound he had a scent.

"Talking about work, Laramie, who'd you say Snecker worked for?"

"I didn't say."

"Well, say so now, can't you? Laramie, you're powerful peevish to-day.
It's that bump on your head. Who does Snecker work for?"

"When he works at all, which sure ain't often, he rides for Longstreth."

"Humph! Seems to me that Longstreth's the whole circus round Fairdale.
I was some sore the other day to find I was losing good money at
Longstreth's faro game. Sure if I'd won I wouldn't have been sore--ha,
ha! But I was surprised to hear some one say Longstreth owned the Hope
So joint."

"He owns considerable property hereabouts," replied Laramie,
constrainedly.

"Humph again! Laramie, like every other fellow I meet in this town,
you're afraid to open your trap about Longstreth. Get me straight,
Laramie. I don't