"You could save him, if you set yourself to." "Sure, I could--if I would pay the price. But I won't pay." "That's it. You would have to give Rosario something--make some concession," she said eagerly. "And I'm not willing to pay the price," he told her. "His life's forfeit. Hasn't he been hunting us for a week?" "Let me pay it," she cried. "I have money in my own right--seven thousand dollars. I'll give it all to save him." He shook his head. "No use. We've turned down a big offer from West. Your seven thousand isn't a drop in the bucket." She beat her hands together wildly. "There must be some way to save him." The outlaw was looking at her with narrowed eyes. He saw a way, and was working it out in his mind. "You're willing to pay, are you?" he asked. "Yes--yes! All I have." He put his arms akimbo on the corral fence, and looked long at her. "Suppose the price can't be paid in money, Miss Lee." "What do you mean?" "Money isn't the only thing in this world. There are lots of things it won't buy that other things will," he said slowly. She groped for his meaning, her wide eyes fixed on his, and still did not find it. "Be plainer, please. What can I do to save him?" "You might marry me." "Never!" "Just as you say. You were looking for a way, and I suggested one. Anyhow, you're mine." "I won't do it!" "You wanted me to pay the price; but you don't want to pay yourself." "I couldn't do it. It would be horrible!" But she knew she could and must. "Why couldn't you? I'm ready to cut loose from this way of living. When I pull off this one big thing, I'll quit. We'll go somewhere and begin life again. You said I could. Well, I will. You'll help me to keep straight. It won't be only his life you are saving. It will be mine, too." "No--I don't love you! How could a girl marry a man she didn't care for and didn't respect?" "I'll make you do both before long. I'm the kind of man women love." "You're the kind I hate," she flashed bitterly. "I'll risk your hate, my dear," he laughed easily. She did not look at him. Her eyes were on the horizon line, where sky and pine tops met. He knew that she was fighting it out to a decision, and he did not speak again. After all, she was only a girl. Right and wrong were inextricably mixed in her mind. It was not right to marry this man. It was not right to let the sheriff die while she could save him. She was generous to the core. But there was something deeper than generosity. Her banked love for Flatray flooded her in a great cry of protest against his death. She loved him. She loved him. Much as she detested this man, revolting as she found the thought of being linked to him, the impulse to sacrifice herself was the stronger feeling of the two. Deep in her heart she knew that she could not let Jack go to his death so long as it was possible to prevent it.