e you don't, Curly. You prefer to prey upon women who are
helpless, and who cannot lift a hand in self-defense. But I am
different, as you have found out to your cost."

"Let me go, will ye?" the wretch pleaded. "I've had enough of this."

"Oh, have you, eh? Well, that's interesting. But, look here, I am not
through with you yet. You came here without any invitation, though in
a way I am glad that you did come, and I intend to keep you here for a
while."

"H'm, ye must like my company after all," Curly sneered. "You're a
queer one."

"Yes, I like your company at present better than your absence," Glen
confessed. "I know just where you are, and that you can do no mischief
while you are under my charge. If I should let you go now it would be
an injustice to others. You must settle this affair with my father,
and you know what that will mean."

"I'm not worryin' about yer dad, or anyone else," Curly replied.
"He'll have all he can attend to without botherin' about me. Most
likely he's in a hotter place now than ever he struck on earth."

Into Glen's eyes leaped an expression of wild fear, as the meaning of
Curly's words dawned upon her.

"Ye understand?" Curly sneered. "Two can play at this game, remember,
an' mebbe more'n two."

"Was that your partner who followed my father?"

"Sure. It was Dan, an' he means business."

"What business?"

"Oh, Dan'll tell ye when he comes back."

"Do you mean that he intends to shoot my father and Mr. Reynolds?"

"Mr. Reynolds!" Curly mockingly repeated. "Yes, Mr. Reynolds, too."

Glen's outstretched arm was tired, but these words renewed her
strength, and her fingers clutched more firmly the butt of the
revolver. Curly was fully aware that the girl was becoming wrought up
to a high pitch of excitement, and he regretted that he had told her
anything about Dan. What might not this girl do? he asked himself. In
fact he was very near death just then, for Glen in her agitation was
unconsciously pressing the trigger slightly with her forefinger. But
Curly knew, and his face blanched.

"Fer God's sake, be careful what yer doin'!" he screamed. "That gun'll
go off, if ye don't look out!"

"Perhaps it might be well if it did," was the reply. "I am strongly
tempted to shoot you where you stand. But I guess I will wait until
Sconda comes back. And then, remember, if my father and Mr. Reynolds
are dead, you die, and at my hands at that. You can remain just wh