she stepped
in through the long open window Durham saw she was carrying a heavy
revolver in the half-hidden hand.

"You were evidently prepared for emergencies," he said.

She laughed as she laid the weapon on the table.

"After what happened to-day, Mr. Durham, I'm all nerves. When I heard
you riding to the house I was frightened lest it should be some more of
the scoundrels coming to see what else they could rob from me. You see,
I'm all alone here except for poor old Patsy Malone--he's just a poor
half-witted fool who was with my husband and my husband's father before
him, and he thinks, poor old creature, that wherever I go he has to go
too. I had to bring him out here with me to save the scandal he would
have made. Sure, he's harmless enough anywhere, but what could he do if
some of those thieving scoundrels rode up here and robbed me of the last
few papers and things those bank rascals have not yet had the chance of
stealing? But sit down, Mr. Durham, sit down. I'll tell the old fool to
get you some tea--a cup won't harm you after your long ride. And maybe
you'll take just a bit of something? You'll be hungry."

She was out of the room before Durham could answer, but he heard her
calling for her ancient retainer and giving him instructions with the
same volubility that she had shown when speaking to him.

"It won't be a minute, Mr. Durham. Luckily the fire was still in, for
Patsy was only finished washing the dishes scarcely five minutes ago.
And what is the news from the township? Have they caught the robbers
yet? Or do you think they have very far to look for them if they really
want the man who did it? Now there's a foolish thing for me to say! I
forgot. Of course, it's yourself that has come up to catch him. You'll
forgive me, Mr. Durham, but I can assure you I never had so great a
shock to my nerves as I had to-day. What's to become of me now that all
those documents are gone? You see, when I came away my solicitor in
Dublin--you see, he was my husband's solicitor and his father's
solicitor before him, so, as you may judge, he is an old man, though
not so old as old Patsy out there--but, as I was saying, he said----"

She commenced speaking as she entered the room, continued as she walked
to the table and sat down, and appeared to Durham as though she were
going on indefinitely.

"Will you pardon me one moment," he said. "I left my horse at----"

"Of course, of course," she cried, starting up. "Sure t