"There are so many ladies present I can't hear you, but maybe if you said it outside I could," the deputy suggested gently, a gleam of steely anger in his eyes. "Say it anywhere to oblige a friend," sneered Boone. From the moment of meeting neither man had lowered his gaze by the fraction of an inch. Red tragedy was in the air. Melissy knew it. The girl from Arkansas guessed as much. Yet neither of them knew how to avert the calamity that appeared impending. One factor alone saved the situation for the moment. Flatray had not yet heard of the shooting of Bellamy. Had he known he would have arrested Boone on the spot and the latter would have drawn and fought it out. Into the room sauntered Lee. "Hello, 'Lissie. Been looking for you an hour, honey. Mornin', Norris. Howdy, Jack! Dad burn yore ornery hide, I ain't see you long enough for a good talk in a coon's age." Melissy seized on her father joyfully as an interposition of Providence. "Father, this is Miss Yarnell, the young lady I told you about." The ranchman buried her little hand in his big paw. "Right glad to meet up with you, Miss Yarnell. How do you like Arizona by this time? I reckon Melissy has introduced you to her friends. No? Make you acquainted with Mr. Flatray. Shake hands with Mr. Norris, Miss Yarnell. Where are you, Norris?" The owner of the Bar Double G swung round, to discover for the first time that harmony was not present. Boone stood back with a sullen vindictive expression on his face. "Why, what's up, boys?" the rancher asked, his glance passing from one to another. "You ain't in this, Lee," Boone informed him. Then, to Flatray: "See you later." The deputy nodded carelessly. "Any time you like." The lank old Confederate took a step forward to call Boone back, but Melissy caught him by the sleeve. "Let him go," she whispered emphatically. "I know my boss," returned Lee with a laugh. "If you're quite through with me, Miss Lee, I'll not intrude longer," Flatray said. "But I'm not," spoke Melissy quickly. She did not intend to let him get away to settle his quarrel with Boone. "I'm rather busy," he suggested. "Your business will have to wait," she came back decisively. Lee laughed and clapped Jack on the shoulder. "Might as well know your boss too, boy." Melissy flushed with a flash of temper. "I'm nothing of the kind, dad." "Sho! A joke's a joke, girl. That's twice hand-runnin' I get a call-down. You're mighty high-heeled to-day, 'pears like." Jack smiled grimly. He understood some things that were hidden from Lee. CHAPTER XIV CONCERNING THE BOONE-BELLAMY-YARNELL FEUD