"Of course he knows, but ain't going to say so. You see, that old Basque who was killed was a monopolist, too. He went after that grass without asking anybody's leave; moreover, he belonged to that Mexican-Dago outfit that everybody hates. The old man isn't crying over that job; it's money in his pocket. All the same it's too good a chance to put the hooks into the cattle-men, hence his offering a reward, and it looks as if something would really be done this time. They say Neill Ballard was mixed up in it, and that old guy that showed me the sheep, but I don't take much stock in that. Whoever did it was paid by the cattle-men, sure thing." The young fellow's tone and bearing made a favorable impression upon Lize. She had never seen this side of him, for the reason that he had hitherto treated her as a bartender. She was acute enough to understand that her social status had changed along with her release from the cash-register, and she was slightly more reconciled, although she could not see her way to providing a living for herself and Lee. For all these reasons she was unwontedly civil to Joe, and sent him away highly elated with the success of his interview. "I'm going to let him take us up to Sulphur," she said to Lee. "I want to go to town." Lee was silent, but a keen pang ran through her heart, for she perceived in this remark by her mother a tacit acknowledgment of Ross Cavanagh's desertion of them both. His invitation to them to come and camp with him was only a polite momentary impulse. "I'm ready to go," she announced, at last. "I'm tired of this place. Let us go to-morrow." On the following morning, while they were busy packing for this journey, Redfield rolled up to the door in company with a young man in the uniform of a forester. "Go ask Reddy to come in," commanded Lize. "I want to see him." Redfield met the girl at the door and presented his companion as "Mr. Dalton, District Forester." Dalton was a tall young fellow with a marked Southern accent. "Is Cavanagh, the ranger, in town?" he asked. "No," Lee replied, with effort; "he was here a few days ago, but he's gone back to the forest." Redfield studied the girl with keen gaze, perceiving a passionate restraint in her face. "How is your mother?" he asked, politely. Lee smiled faintly. "She's able to sit up. Won't you come in and see her?" "With pleasure," assented Redfield, "but I want to see you alone. I have something to say to you." He turned to his superior. "Just go into the café, Dalton. I'll see you in a moment." Lee Virginia, hitherto ashamed of the house, the furniture, the bed--everything--led the way without a word of apology. It was all detached now, something about to be left behind, like a bad garment borrowed in a time of stress. Nothing mattered since Ross did not return.