She did not know what she had
expected to see when she turned; certainly something more dire and
terrible than Tom Chavis. But when she thought of his past actions, of
his cynical, skeptical, and significant looks at her; of his manner at
this minute; and reflected upon the fact that she was alone, she realized
that chance could have sent nothing more terrible to her.

He noted her excitement, and his smile broadened. "Scared?" he said. "Oh,
don't be." His attitude toward her became one of easy assurance. He
stepped inside and walked to the rough table that stood near the center
of the room, placing his hands on it and looking at her craftily.

"Nobody here," he said, "but you--eh? Where's Catherson? Where's Hagar?"

"They've gone to the Flying W," she answered, trying to make her voice
even, but not succeeding. There was a quaver in it. "You must have seen
them," she added, with a hope that some one at the ranchhouse might have
seen _him_. She would have felt more secure if she had known that someone
_had_ seen him.

"Nothin' doin'," he said, a queer leap in his voice. "I come straight
from the shack, by the Lazette trail. How does it come that you're here,
alone? What did Catherson an' Hagar go to the Flyin' W for? How long will
they be gone?"

"They will be back right away," she told him, with a devout hope that
they would.

"You're lyin', Ruth," he said familiarly. "You don't know when they'll be
back." He grinned, maliciously. "I reckon I c'n tell you why you're here
alone, too. Hagar's took your cayuse. Hagar's is in the corral. You see,"
he added triumphantly as he saw the start that she could not repress.
"I've been nosin' around a little before I come in. I wasn't figgerin' on
runnin' into Abe Catherson." He laughed thickly, as though some sort of
passion surged over him. "So you're all alone here--eh?"

She grew weak at the significance of his words, and leaned against the
window-sill for support. And then with the realization that she must not
seem to quail before him, she stood erect again and forced her voice to
steadiness.

"Yes," she said, "I am alone. Is there any need to repeat that? And being
alone, I am in charge, here, and I don't want you here for company."

He laughed, making no move to withdraw.

"I'm here on business."

"You can't have any business with me. Come when the Cathersons are here."

"The waitin's good," he grinned. He walked around to the side of the
table, and with one