ed a giant form approaching
the house through the weeds.

"Coombs is coming already for his interview," I said hastily. "As it
may be stormy perhaps you had better retreat upstairs."

She glanced in the direction of his approach, and drew slightly back
into the shadow of the hall. There was a flush on her cheeks, and her
eyes met mine almost defiantly.

"I will go," she said quickly, "but I shall not leave this house while
you remain."

CHAPTER XVI

COMPELLING SPEECH

She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full
purport of her decision. I followed the flutter of her skirt up the
stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the
uselessness of any attempt at influencing her. Even the short space of
our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of
resource, of character, and determination. If she felt it right to
remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine,
her courage would hold steadfast. Even as these considerations flashed
across my mind, I heard the thud of Coombs' feet upon the steps of the
veranda. That he had been drinking I realized at a glance, and it was
equally evident that he planned to overawe me by brutal domineering.
In spite of every effort to control my expression I could not restrain
a smile at the manifest bluster of his approach.

"So yer 've got through eatin', hey," he began coarsely. "Whar 's the
female? Thought I saw her here."

"You did," I returned coldly, "but Mrs. Henley has returned to her
room."

"Mrs. Henley, huh! Think yer kin pull thet bluff over me!"

"What bluff?"

"Aw, this Henley racket you sprung last night--'bout yer being young
Phil Henley come back."

"Did I say that?"

"Yer shure did," eyeing me in some surprise. "I reckon my ears heard
all right. Why, what are yer this morning?"

"If I ever made any such claim as that, Coombs, it was merely to assure
our admittance. You were not overly-cordial, you know, and I did n't
propose having the lady walk back to town. It's different this
morning, and I am going to be just as frank with you as you are with
me. Is that square?"

"I reckon," uneasily, not yet able to gauge my purpose, and feeling his
bluff a failure. "I ain't got nothin' ter lie about so fur as I know.
Let's go inside, whar we kin have it out quiet like."

I followed him in