The front door opened, in fact, while she was speaking; Kate stood with her back to it and though by turning she could have peeped through the curtained archway, she would not have looked for a million dollars. If Belle wanted her revenge she had it at that moment. Kate could not sink through the floor to escape, but how she wanted to! She did step quickly aside hoping she had not been seen, and retired to the farthest corner of the kitchen. Belle's mouth, before the stove, set grimly and with her left hand she gave her wig the vicious punch she used when wrought up. Kate motioned to her frantically. Belle regarded her coldly but did come closer and Kate caught at her sleeve: "For heaven's sake," she begged in a whisper, "don't let him know I'm here." Kate eyed her anxiously. Belle's face was hard, and quick, firm steps were coming from the front door. "Hello, Belle!" was the greeting. Had they been Kate's death message the words could not have frightened her more. She knew, too well, the voice. "You didn't get my message," were the next words flung through the archway. "I got it," answered Belle, going forward and providentially stopping Laramie before he reached the curtains. "Sit down right there," she added, pointing to a table at the rear of the lunch room. "I hurried all I could but that rascally milkman hasn't been here yet and there's no cream for your coffee. Your dinner's most ready though." She started back to the kitchen. "Not enough for two, is there?" asked Laramie. "Who's coming?" demanded Belle, stopping in her tracks. "Belle, you're suspicious as a cattleman. Nobody's coming, but I'm hungry." While he continued his banter she served him and attempted to serve Kate behind the curtains. By persistent, almost despairing pantomime, Kate dissuaded her from this. But at that moment the front door opened again, a brisk greeting was called out and a heavy tread crossed the uneven floor of the outer room. "John Lefever!" Laramie got up to welcome the big deputy marshal. "Just in time. Take off your manners and sit down." A bubbling laugh greeted the sally: "Jim, I just can't do it." "Oh, yes, you'll eat with me. Where you from?" "Bear Dance; and Medicine Bend on the next train. Heard you were in town and dropped off for just one hour. Say, this is more like life's fitful fever to set eyes on you. Heard you were threatened last night with appendicitis. How about it?" and John bubbled over again. In the next breath he greeted Belle as gaily. Laramie asked for another plate and Lefever promptly resumed: "You look kind of down in the mouth, Jim. What's the matter with you?" "Nothing's the matter with me." Lefever shrugged his shoulders: "You're a kind of low-spirited Indian, anyway. What you doing up in the Falling Wall?" "Nothing." "Always nothing," repeated Lefever. "Better come up," suggested Laramie. "What are you doing?"