She looked at him dully, uncomprehending, and Fair repeated his words. As she realized their import her lips began to quiver, she rolled down upon the trampled grass with her face to the sod, and wept. Brand Fair, knowing that this matter was between her soul and its Maker, wisely did not attempt to comfort her. He sat with his hand on her heaving shoulder and watched the tragic scene. Bossick and his men surrounded Arnold. Big Basford was dead. And here was Nance Allison in Rainbow’s Pot at dawn, ghastly with blood and weariness. A thousand questions burned in his brain, but he waited. From the right Rod Stone was coming forward, followed by the half-breed girl and the rest of the men from Cordova. * * * * * Bossick took Stone into custody and called to Bud Allison who came limping forward, his blue eyes glittering with defiance. Fair stooped and lifting Nance bodily carried her into the heart of the group. “Men,” he said, “here’s something more to add to our score against Sky Line. Look!” They looked in astonishment. “Great Scott!” said Bossick wonderingly, “It’s Miss Allison, ain’t it? What’s she doing here?” “That’s a question I’ll ask Lawrence Arnold,” said Fair in a voice like a blade, but the bearded man from the Upper Country spoke up promptly. “I think young Stone and Minnie Pine can answer that, since that is why we’re here. Speak, Stone.” The rider shook his head. “Let Minnie,” he said, “she was first to know about it.” All eyes turned to the Pomo girl, among those of Lawrence Arnold, still holding in his arms the body of Kate Cathrew, and they were cruel as a hawk’s. “I listened,” said Minnie calmly, “I always listened when there was devil’s talk at Sky Line. I’ve heard much. This time the Sun Woman yonder stood in the Inner Room where they had brought her, and gave back in their teeth the words of the Boss and the Master. They wanted her to sign her mother’s name to a paper which would give to Kate Cathrew the homestead on Nameless——” “Great Scott!” said Bossick again. “She wouldn’t,” went on Minnie, “and so they gave her to Sud Provine to keep all night in Rainbow’s Pot, with Big Basford standing guard outside.” There was the sound of an indrawn breath from Fair. “We know Provine, Rod Stone and me,” continued the girl, “and so we went to Cordova for help to get her out. We had to wait so long to get away from Sky Line——” “But they came, men,” cut in the bearded man, “don’t forget that in the final settlement. They dared Arnold and Cattle Kate to save a woman’s honor—and that’s no small thing.” “Shucks!” said Stone disgustedly, “what would any half-man do?” Fair stood Nance upon her feet. She raised her unspeakable head and glanced at the tense faces. “Where’s this Provine? Tell us, Nance,” said Fair still in that thin, hard voice. He hitched his holster a little farther forward on his thigh.