n at the corners.

"Well," she said; "in your letter you promised you'd take me into your
confidence. I'm ready."

"It's purely a business proposition. Each realizes on his effort. You help
me to get Rosalind Benham through the simple process of fascinating
Trevison; I help you to get Trevison by getting Miss Benham. It's a sort
of mutual benefit association, as it were."

"What does Trevison look like, Jeff--tell me?" The woman leaned forward in
her chair, her eyes glowing.

"Oh, you women!" said Corrigan, with a gesture of disgust. "He's a
handsome fool," he added; "if that's what you want to know. But I haven't
any compliments to hand him regarding his manners--he's a wild man!"

"I'd love to see him!" breathed the woman.

"Well, keep your hair on; you'll see him soon enough. But you've got to
understand this: He's on my land, and he gets off without further
fighting--if you can hold him. That's understood, eh? You win him back and
get him away from here. If you double-cross me, he finds out what you
are!" He flung the words at her, roughly.

She spoke quietly, though color stained her cheeks. "Not 'are,' Jeff--what
I was. That would be bad enough. But have no fear--I shall do as you ask.
For I want him--I have wanted him all the time--even during the time I was
chained to that little beast, Harvey. I wouldn't have been what I
am--if--if--"

"Cut it out!" he advised brutally; "the man always gets the blame,
anyway--so it's no novelty to hear that sort of stuff. So you understand,
eh? You choose your own method--but get results--quick! I want to get that
damned fool away from here!" He got up and paced back and forth in the
room. "If he takes Rosalind Benham away from me I'll kill him! I'll kill
him, anyway!"

"Has it gone very far between them?" The concern in her voice brought a
harsh laugh from Corrigan.

"Far enough, I guess. He's been riding with her; every day for three
weeks, her aunt told me. He's a fiery, impetuous devil!"

"Don't worry," she consoled. "And now," she directed; "get out of here.
I've been on the go for days and days, and I want to sleep. I shall go out
to see Rosalind tomorrow--to surprise her, Jeff--to surprise her. Ha,
ha!"

"I'll have a rig here for you at nine o'clock," said Corrigan. "Take your
trunks--she won't order you away. Tell her that Trevison sent for
you--don't mention my name; and stick to it! Well, pleasant dreams," he
added as he went out.

As the door closed