in a moment was
greeting the one man whose coming at such a moment could have made him
feel glad.

"Say, Peter, this is bully," he cried, shaking the big man's hand. "I
didn't guess you'd be coming along in. Who's that with you? Eh? Oh,
Elia."

Peter nodded. But his usual smile was lacking.

"Yes. Eve's just coming along. Ah, here she is," he added, as the girl
suddenly appeared in the doorway. "Come in, my dear," he went on
kindly. "Guess we caught Jim before he got down for the night."

Jim offered the girl no greeting. All thought of formalities was
driven from his mind at the sight of her expression. The hunted look
in her eyes was even greater than it had been two days ago, and he
wondered what fresh development had brought it about. He was not long
left in doubt. Peter eyed him ruefully, and then glanced at the door
which was still open.

"It's trouble, Jim, fresh trouble, so--I guess I'll shut this door
tight."

While he was doing so, Jim pushed the chair toward Eve, into which she
almost fell. Then he glanced at Elia, speculating. As Peter returned
to the group he dropped back and seated himself on the rough bed,
waiting for enlightenment. Peter leaned himself against the table, his
grizzled face frowning thoughtfully.

"I'm needing a horse to-night--now," he said. "An' he's got to do
sixty miles between this and sundown to-morrow. I want yours. Can I
have it?"

The man's shrewd blue eyes were steadily fixed on Jim's face. He was
putting all his knowledge of the ranchman to the test in his own
subtle way. He was asking this man to help him against himself. He was
asking this man to help him prevent his removing the unmerited
suspicion with which he was branded. But he intended to do it openly,
frankly. And his reason was because he understood a good deal of human
nature, and of Jim Thorpe particularly.

"You can have him. What for?"

"No, no," Eve cried, starting up to prevent Peter answering.

But the big man motioned her to calm herself.

"Don't worry, Eve, my dear," he said. "This thing's between Jim an'
me. And I don't think there's going to be much explanation needed."

Jim nodded, and his glance fell on Elia. He was wondering what part
the boy was playing in the scene.

"It's Will," said Peter. "We've got to get him warned--for her sake."
He nodded in Eve's direction, but turned away quickly as her face
dropped into her two hands and remained hidden.

"You don't need to tell me any mo