e was all alone and helpless you
were her friend. It was the deed of a man. But Mrs. Laramie isn't the
only unfortunate woman in the world. I, too, am unfortunate. Ah, how
I may soon need a friend! Will you be my friend? I'm so alone. I'm
terribly worried. I fear--I fear--Oh, surely I'll need a friend
soon--soon. Oh, I'm afraid of what you'll find out sooner or later. I
want to help you. Let us save life if not honor. Must I stand alone--all
alone? Will you--will you be--" Her voice failed.

It seemed to Duane that she must have discovered what he had begun to
suspect--that her father and Lawson were not the honest ranchers they
pretended to be. Perhaps she knew more! Her appeal to Duane shook him
deeply. He wanted to help her more than he had ever wanted anything. And
with the meaning of the tumultuous sweetness she stirred in him there
came realization of a dangerous situation.

"I must be true to my duty," he said, hoarsely.

"If you knew me you'd know I could never ask you to be false to it."

"Well, then--I'll do anything for you."

"Oh, thank you! I'm ashamed that I believed my cousin Floyd! He lied--he
lied. I'm all in the dark, strangely distressed. My father wants me to
go back home. Floyd is trying to keep me here. They've quarreled. Oh, I
know something dreadful will happen. I know I'll need you if--if--Will
you help me?"

"Yes," replied Duane, and his look brought the blood to her face.

CHAPTER XIX

After supper Duane stole out for his usual evening's spying. The night
was dark, without starlight, and a stiff wind rustled the leaves. Duane
bent his steps toward the Longstreth's ranchhouse. He had so much to
think about that he never knew where the time went. This night when he
reached the edge of the shrubbery he heard Lawson's well-known footsteps
and saw Longstreth's door open, flashing a broad bar of light in the
darkness. Lawson crossed the threshold, the door closed, and all was
dark again outside. Not a ray of light escaped from the window.

Little doubt there was that his talk with Longstreth would be
interesting to Duane. He tiptoed to the door and listened, but could
hear only a murmur of voices. Besides, that position was too risky. He
went round the corner of the house.

This side of the big adobe house was of much older construction than
the back and larger part. There was a narrow passage between the houses,
leading from the outside through to the patio.

This passage now affor