“Yes, Bud,” she answered. She flew across the grass as Allston called again. She came to the house quite out of breath. “Where in the world have you been?” demanded Allston. “Jest out in the field,” she answered. “Queer,” he muttered. “I was sitting there by the fire and all of a sudden I got worried about you. Star-gazing?” She moved away from the open door and closed it. But there were two windows through which they could be seen. “I’m all done hyar,” she said. “Guess I’ll blow out the light.” She waited for him to go back to the sitting-room. He did not move. “I’m all done hyar,” she repeated. “Well?” “I’m goin’ ter blow out the light now.” “Then blow it out.” She crossed to the table and blew down the chimney. It was necessary to blow twice. Then she made for the stairs that opened from the kitchen to the rear room she occupied. “Roxie,” he called in the dark. “I’m all done hyar. I’m goin’ ter bed now,” she answered. “Just a minute.” She heard his feet moving towards her and would have run had she dared. But to do so would only excite suspicion and that was the one thing she must avoid. His life, on as small an issue as this, was at stake. She heard him shuffle nearer and nearer and flattened herself against the wall. “Roxie,” he said. “You sure you’re all right?” “Yes, sir.” “I don’t believe much in hunches, but--over there I used to have them and pretty nearly always they were worth following.” He was at her side now. He put out his hand. It touched her shoulder. “I had a hunch about you to-night.” “Ye-es, sir.” “I didn’t know but what Bud Childers was snooping ’round.” She did not answer. “Keep away from him, Roxie. If he bothers you, let me know.” “I’m goin’ ter bed now,” she repeated. “All right, little girl. Good-night.” He dropped his warm hand from her shoulder. She felt as though it must have left a red mark there. “Good-night,” she stammered. He left her side and made his way across the dark room to the door into the sitting-room. He opened it and in the full light she saw him framed. It was a lie about Miss Wilmer. Her mouth half opened to call him back. If she told him everything, of how Bud had come to carry her off and was waiting out there, he could get his own gun and fight him off. There was still time. Even now he turned back as though expecting to hear her voice. Clenching her two fists she closed her lips tight. She had given her word and crossed her throat and even in a fair fight there would always be danger.