"Looks like it. Because I took Mary Johnson away from him, and from fear. He was afraid you might learn of the matter, I suppose, and decided to get rid of me. He's a coward at heart, but none the less a criminal by instinct, so he hired another to do what he dared not attempt himself. A crook like his father, but with less nerve." Janet was silent while the car wound its way down the creek road, through the misty darkness and among the invisible peaks. The full danger that she had escaped was but now making itself clear to her mind. "If he would go so far as to try to murder you," she faltered, "I surely could have expected no pity from him." "Now listen to me," he said. "I'm going to give you a little scolding: you must forget all this business; it just makes you fearful and unhappy. The past is over, and he's out of your life for good. Look at it that way. Consider the thing as a bad dream, done with and no more important. That's 'the right view to take'"--he paused, then added softly--"Janet." "How strong-souled you are!" she whispered. Strong, in truth, he seemed. Ignoring danger he had come swift on Sorenson's track and rescued her, saved her, kept her clean from her assailant's infamous brutishness. The one was a knave and a beast; but he, Steele Weir, was a man, clear to see, quick to act, hard towards enemies, gentle to friends. Every particle a man--sure of himself, and fearless, and true-hearted, and firm of soul. She pressed her hands tight against her breast. He was a man one could love and honor. "Cold Steel" Weir they called him--and, she divined, his love if ever given would be as lasting as hoops of steel. CHAPTER XVIII IN THE NIGHT WATCHES A light still burned in the Johnson ranch house, late as was the hour, when the car swung round a copse of aspens and brought it in view. Johnson himself came forth at sound of the automobile, with a sleepy Mary following. "I wouldn't go to bed, of course, knowing you were to come back," said he. But his true reason appeared in his added words, "I was just about ready to saddle a horse and head up there myself. Mighty glad to see you safe back, Miss Hosmer. Mary has had some coffee on the fire ever since Weir went along, knowing you'd be cold and worn out." "Just the thing!" Steele exclaimed. "We're both chilled. Come, Janet." And he stepped from the machine. Without demur the girl placed her hand in the one he offered and descended stiffly. Mary ran back into the house to attend to the coffee-pot and the visitors presently were seated at the kitchen table at places already laid, with cups of steaming strong coffee and plates of food before them. Janet contented herself with the hot, reviving drink, but Weir ate heartily as well. Coming and going, forty miles of driving a rough mountain road had given him a laborer's appetite. "It's late, one o'clock," Mary said to Janet. "Why don't you stay with us the rest of the night? I wish you would."