of course, to refer to the financial
end of it. Miss Morgan will handle the money, I suppose."

"You got orders from Miss Barbara to gas to me about the ranch?"

"Well, no, I can't say that I have. But I have a natural desire to know."

"I'll be tellin' her what I'm goin' to do."

Haydon smiled faintly. Twice, during the silence that followed Harlan's
reply, Haydon shifted his gaze from Harlan's face to the ground between
himself and the other, and then back again. It was plain to Haydon that
he could proceed no farther in that direction without incurring the wrath
that slumbered in Harlan's heart, revealed by his narrowing eyes.

In Harlan's heart was a bitter, savage passion. Hatred for this man,
which had been aroused by Barbara's reference to him, and intensified by
his visit to the girl, had been made malignant by his appearance now in
the role of inquisitor.

Jealousy, Harlan would not have admitted; yet the conviction that Haydon
was handsome, and that women would like him--that no doubt Barbara
already liked him--brought a cold rage to Harlan. He stood, during the
momentary silence, his lips curving with contempt, his eyes glinting with
a passion that was unmistakable to Haydon.

He stepped down from the doorway and walked slowly to Haydon, coming to a
halt within a yard of him. His hands were hanging at his sides, his chin
had gone a little forward; and in his manner was the threat that had
brought a paralysis of fear to more than one man.

Yet, except for a slow stiffening of his muscles, Haydon betrayed no
fear. There was a slight smile on his lips; his eyes met Harlan's
steadily and unblinkingly. In them was a glint of that mysterious humor
which other men had seen in them.

"I know you're lightning on the draw, Harlan," he said, his faint smile
fading a trifle. "I wouldn't have a chance with you; I'm not a
gun-fighter. For that reason I don't want any disagreement with you. And
I've heard enough about you to know that you don't shoot unless the other
fellow is out to 'get' you.

"We won't have any trouble. Be fair. As the man who will ultimately take
charge of the Rancho Seco--since Miss Barbara has been good enough to
encourage me--I would like to know some things. I've heard that Lane
Morgan was killed at Sentinel Rock, and that you were with him when he
died--and just before. Did he give you authority to take charge of the
Rancho Seco?"

"He told me to take hold."

"A written order?"

"H