re, Peter," said Jim, huskily. "Just
give me the other details. You see, I fancy I know all about him,
except his whereabouts."

Eve looked up startled.

"You know," she whispered in awe.

Jim nodded.

"I've thought things out this last two days," he said quietly. Then he
turned to Peter. "But this warning. What's made it necessary? Have
others been--thinking?"

"No. They've been put wise." Peter's eyes sought the unsmiling face of
Elia. "You see, Elia hunted him out. He's told Doc where he'll find
the rustlers. But mercifully he didn't say who the rustler was."

"Ah, Elia hates Will," Jim said thoughtfully.

"Doc's setting out to-night to--find him," Peter added.

Jim glanced from Eve to the grizzled man. Just for a second he
marveled at him. Then the feeling passed as recollections flew through
his mind of a dozen and one kindnesses of heart which this quaint
Englishman had performed. This was just the sort of thing Peter would
do. He would simply, and unconcernedly, thrust his head into the
lion's jaws to help anybody.

"You're going to take the warning?" he inquired.

"Sure." Then Peter added apologetically, with a swift glance in Eve's
direction, "You see, we can't let 'em--find him."

A shadowy smile grew into Jim's eyes. Peter wanted his horse for a
purpose. And that very purpose would inevitably drive the brand which
was already upon him deeper and deeper into his flesh. He was calmly
asking him to sacrifice himself for Eve. He glanced in the girl's
direction, and all the old love was uppermost in his simple heart.

"When did you get in?" he asked Peter, abruptly.

"Just now."

"Been in the saddle all day?"

"Yep. But that's no con----"

"No. Only I was thinking."

Jim's eyes were still on Eve. The girl was looking straight before her
at the stove. She could only wait. These men, she felt, were
shouldering her burden. But she was anxious. Somehow she hadn't the
same knowledge of Jim that Peter had. But then, how should she? Her
point of view was so different.

Suddenly Jim started up.

"No, Peter, old friend, you can't have the horse--I need it."

Peter started forward. He was startled out of his belief in the man.

"What in----"

But Jim cut him short.

"Hold up, Peter. Eve's here," he said. Then he glanced at Elia. "I'll
carry that warning. And I'll tell you why. Oh, no," as Eve suddenly
started to protest, "I'm only going to speak common sense. Here's the
facts which you, old f