"But a woman! Of course it is different with a woman. A woman must talk--she simply can't help it. There's Mrs. Norton. Only this morning I chanced to hear her remark to her lord and master that if he did not soon provide her with a companion with whom she might discuss the things which are dear to the feminine heart, he might as well make up his mind to requisition the mourners. All of which suggests the thought that perhaps it would not be a bad idea for Miss Hazelton to bundle up her things and advance on the Circle Bar. Thus two ends will be served--Mrs. Norton will secure her companion and Norton will find peace." He turned to Nellie. "Of course if you are afraid that the cabin will stray during your absence I could manage to ride the Coyote trail each morning and evening--or you could ride over yourself occasionally." He could tell by the light in her eyes that she was pleased over the suggestion. He was sure of it when she smiled at him. "If you really think that Mrs. Norton would like some one to talk to----" she began, and then hesitated, her eyes suddenly widening as she saw an odd light in his. "Oh!" she said, "it isn't true about Mrs. Norton wanting to talk. You have guessed that I--that Ed--wanted me to go----" But confusion descended upon her and she flushed crimson with embarrassment. "If you think it isn't true, why don't you ride over to the Circle Bar and inquire?" he smiled. "Perhaps I may," she replied, looking at him in mock defiance. As a precaution against the carrying out of this threat, Hollis that night acquainted Mrs. Norton with the facts in the case, even going so far as to inform the lady brazenly that he had deliberately lied about her. But when she had been fully informed, she told Hollis that she did not blame him very much, and that should Nellie carry out her threat to come to her upon an errand having as its object a question of his veracity, she would assure the young lady that he had spoken the plain truth. Would that be sufficient? Hollis told her that it would, and the following morning on his way to Dry Bottom, he took the Coyote trail and stopped off at the Hazelton cabin, where he informed Ed that he had decided to send Weary with him on his trip to Chicago. Nellie spoke a few words to him while he lingered beside the porch, but her threat of the night before was not repeated and Hollis rightly guessed that it would never be carried out. CHAPTER XXI DUNLAVEY PLAYS A CARD