"And hang me, that's what you hesitate to say," Steele finished for her. "Whom do you mean by 'they'?" "The people." "Are the people here in this county really 'they'? Do the people, that is, the mass of poor ignorant Mexicans, have anything to do with public affairs? Both you and I know they do not." "Why deny it!" she sighed. "It's generally known that four men, with a few more at their skirts, run things. They nominate the men who are to fill office--there's only one political party in the county worth mentioning--and give them orders and expect them to obey. For that reason father would never accept an office. He could be coroner; he could be county treasurer; he could go to the legislature; or anything else--if he would but wear their political livery. But he prefers to be a free man. I used to think nothing of it, see no wrong in such a state of affairs, for everything went along well enough and about the same as ever as far as I could see." "Possibly you didn't see everything that was occurring below the surface even then." "Exactly what father told me yesterday. We talked about everything under the sun, I imagine. And I informed him that you walked home with me the night of the shooting; I had not spoken of it before." "That was proper; he should know it." "He doesn't share in the feeling against you, Mr. Weir, let me assure you of that. Ever since he heard my explanation of the shooting and then met you at the inquest, he's convinced that you're being done a great injustice." Steele experienced a warm glow of pleasure. "I liked your father at first sight," said he, simply. "But where does all this leave us?" He spoke in a light tone of amusement that he was far from feeling. "Our position is--odd." "It is," she assented so earnestly that he began to laugh. "You mustn't allow it to disturb you. I'm really presuming upon your kindness of heart and innocence in enjoying your company now. Acquaintance with me is a rather serious matter here in San Mateo and carries consequences. You don't think for an instant that I'd allow my personal pleasure--and pleasure it is to be with you, needless to say--to bring you into ill-favor among your friends and to make you the subject of gossip. I appreciate your good spirit towards me; and I admire you greatly. But it will be well if I admire you at a distance hereafter." "I don't see whose business it is except mine." To Steele Weir it was like pushing aside the only thing that brightened his hard, toilsome existence thus to abjure future companionship with her. "Good heavens, do you fancy that comes easy for me to say?" he exclaimed, drawing a deep breath. "I never before knew any one who--well, I'll stop there." "Who what?" she demanded. "I nearly overstepped the bounds." "Oh, that's it." What imp of perversity was in the girl? Weir stared at her for a moment through the gloom.