r eyes, and she sat with
blanched face, certain that he was about to attack her--perhaps kill her.
She did not seem to care much, however, and looked up into his face
steadily and defiantly.

After a moment, however, he regained control of himself, leaving her side
and pacing rapidly back and forth in the office, cursing bitterly.

Curiously, Sheila was not surprised at this outburst; she had rather
expected it since she had become aware of his real character. Nor was she
surprised to discover that he had dropped pretense altogether--he was
bound to do that sooner or later. Her only surprise was at her own
feelings. She did not experience the slightest concern over him--it was as
though she were talking to a stranger. She was interested to the point of
taking a grim enjoyment out of his confusion, but beyond that she was not
interested in anything.

It made little difference to her what became of Langford, Dakota,
Duncan--any of them, except Doubler. She intended to return to the
nester's cabin, to help the doctor make him comfortable--for he had been
the only person in the country who had shown her any kindness; he was the
only one who had not wronged her, and she was grateful to him.

Langford was standing over her again, his breath coming short and fast.

"Where did you see Dakota?" he questioned hoarsely. "Answer!" he added,
when she did not speak immediately.

"On the river trail."

"Before you found Doubler?"

"Before, yes--and after. I met him twice."

She discerned his motive in asking these questions, but it made no
difference to her and she answered truthfully. She did not intend to
shield Dakota; the fact that Doubler had not been killed outright did not
lessen the gravity of the offense in her eyes.

"Before you found Doubler!" Langford's voice came with a vicious snap.
"You met him coming from Doubler's cabin, I suppose?"

"Yes," she answered wearily, "I met him coming from there. I was on the
trail--going there--and I heard the shot. I know Dakota killed him."

Langford made an exclamation of satisfaction.

"Well, it isn't so bad, after all. You'll have to be a witness against
Dakota. And very likely Doubler will die--probably is dead by this time;
will certainly be dead before the Lazette doctor can reach his cabin. No,
my dear," he added, smiling at Sheila, "it isn't so bad, after all."

Sheila rose. Her poignant anger against him was equaled only by her
disgust. He expected her to bear w