She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff. The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him. Perhaps it was just to see the mine. But if, beneath that cloak, she carried some instrument of destruction--he stepped out and watched her covertly. She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill. Instantly he whipped out of his tunnel and started after her, running swiftly up the trail; but as he neared the summit she came catapulting against him, running as swiftly the other way. "Here! Stop!" he commanded as she leapt back with a stifled scream and then as she made a dash he plunged resolutely after her and caught her like a child. "You let go of me!" she panted, but he flung one arm about her and held both her hands to her side. "No," he said, and she struck out violently only to find herself clutched the tighter. "Wiley Holman!" she exploded, "if you don't let me go! You'd better--I saw a man back there!" "It's my watchman," answered Wiley. "I keep him to guard the mill. But what are you doing up here?" "No! It wasn't! It was Stiff Neck George! And he had something heavy in his hand! You'd better go and watch him!" She was struggling in his arms, her breath hot against his cheek, fear and rage in every word, but he crushed her roughly to his side. "Never mind about George," he said. "What are _you_ doing up here, now?" "But he'll blow up your mine! I've heard him threaten to! I just came up to tell you!" "Oh, that's different!" returned Wiley, relaxing his grip, "but never mind--my watchman will get him." "No! The watchman is asleep--I didn't see him anywhere! Oh, Wiley; please run and stop him!" "Nope," replied Wiley, "he can blow the whole mill up--I want to ask you a question." He released her reluctantly, for the touch of her had thrilled him, and the sweetness of her breath on his cheek--but she darted down the trail like a rabbit. "Here! Wait!" he ordered and outran her in ten jumps, at which she stooped and snatched up a rock. "Put that down!" he said, and as she swung back the rock, he braved it and caught her anyway. "Now," he went on, trembling from the smash of the blow, but holding her in a grip of steel, "we'll see what all this is about!" "You will not!" she hissed back, "because I won't answer you a word! And I hope old George ruins your mill!" "That's all right," he said, shaking his bloody head, "but, Judas, you did smash me with that stone! After that, I guess, I've got something coming to me!" And he reached down and kissed her lips. "You--stop!" she panted. "Oh, I--I'll kill you for that!" But Wiley only laughed recklessly.