y, prepared to listen with all
acuteness and intensity. Just one word from this Lawson, inadvertently
uttered in a moment of passion, might be the word Duane needed for his
clue.

"It happened at the town hall," began Lawson, rapidly. "Your father and
Judge Owens and I were there in consultation with three ranchers from
out of town. Then that damned ranger stalked in dragging Snecker, the
fellow who hid here in the house. He had arrested Snecker for alleged
assault on a restaurant-keeper named Laramie. Snecker being obviously
innocent, he was discharged. Then this ranger began shouting his
insults. Law was a farce in Fairdale. The court was a farce. There
was no law. Your father's office as mayor should be impeached. He
made arrests only for petty offenses. He was afraid of the rustlers,
highwaymen, murderers. He was afraid or--he just let them alone. He used
his office to cheat ranchers and cattlemen in lawsuits. All this the
ranger yelled for every one to hear. A damnable outrage. Your father,
Ray, insulted in his own court by a rowdy ranger!"

"Oh!" cried Ray Longstreth, in mingled distress and anger.

"The ranger service wants to rule western Texas," went on Lawson. "These
rangers are all a low set, many of them worse than the outlaws they
hunt. Some of them were outlaws and gun-fighters before they became
rangers. This is one of the worst of the lot. He's keen, intelligent,
smooth, and that makes him more to be feared. For he is to be feared. He
wanted to kill. He would kill. If your father had made the least move he
would have shot him. He's a cold-nerved devil--the born gunman. My God,
any instant I expected to see your father fall dead at my feet!"

"Oh, Floyd! The unspeakable ruffian!" cried Ray Longstreth,
passionately.

"You see, Ray, this fellow, like all rangers, seeks notoriety. He made
that play with Snecker just for a chance to rant against your father. He
tried to inflame all Fairdale against him. That about the lawsuits was
the worst! Damn him! He'll make us enemies."

"What do you care for the insinuations of such a man?" said Ray
Longstreth, her voice now deep and rich with feeling. "After a moment's
thought no one will be influenced by them. Do not worry, Floyd. Tell
papa not to worry. Surely after all these years he can't be injured in
reputation by--by an adventurer."

"Yes, he can be injured," replied Floyd, quickly. "The frontier is a
queer place. There are many bitter men here--men who