That silence which came between them was thick with understanding greater than speech. He said at last: "I've made my plan. I am going straight for the higher mountains and try to shake McGurk off my trail. There's one chance in ten I may succeed, and if I do then I'll wait for my chance and come down on him, for sooner or later we have to fight this out to the end." "I know a place he could never find," said Jacqueline. "The old cabin in the gulley between the Twin Bears. We'll start for it tonight." "Not we," he answered. "Jack, here's the end of our riding together." She frowned with puzzled wonder. He explained: "One man is stronger than a dozen. That's the strength of McGurk--that he rides alone. He's finished your father's men. There's only Wilbur left, and Wilbur will go next--then me!" She stretched her hands to him. She seemed to be pleading for her very life. "But if he finds us and has to fight us both--I shoot as straight as a man, Pierre!" "Straighter than most. And you're a better pal than any I've ever ridden with. But I must go alone. It's only a lone wolf that will ever bring down McGurk. Think how he's rounded us up like a herd of cattle and brought us down one by one." "By getting each man alone and killing him from behind." "From the front, Jack. No, he's fought square with each one. The wounds of Black Gandil were all in front, and when McGurk and I meet it's going to be face to face." Her tone changed, softened: "But what of me, Pierre?" "You have to leave this life. Go down to the city, Jack. Live like a woman; marry some lucky fellow; be happy." "Can you leave me so easily?" "No, it's hard, devilish hard to part with a pal like you, Jack; but all the rest of my life I've got hard things to face, partner." "Partner!" she repeated with an indescribable emphasis. "Pierre, I can't leave you." "Why?" "I'm afraid to go: Let me stay!" He said gloomily: "No good will come of it." "I'll never trouble you--never!" "No, the bad luck comes on the people who are with me, but never on me. It's struck them all down, one by one; your turn is next, Jack. If I could leave the cross behind--" He covered his face and groaned: "But I don't dare; I don't dare! I have to face McGurk. Jack, I hate myself for it, but I can't help it. I'm afraid of McGurk, afraid of that damned white face, that lowered, fluttering eyelid, that sneering mouth. Without the cross to bring me luck, how could I meet him? But while I keep the cross there's ruin and hell without end for everyone with me." She was white and shaking. She said: "I'm not afraid. I've one friend left; there's nothing else to care for." "So it's to be this way, Jack?" "This way, and no other." "Partner, I'm glad. My God, Jack, what a man you would have made!" Their hands met and clung together, and her head had drooped, perhaps in acquiescence. CHAPTER 25