He did not answer her. His face appeared grim, almost haggard, in the yellow rays of the lamplight. "Roger, you once promised me anything I might ask," she said softly. "An' all you have to do is ask," he answered, taking a step toward her. "I'm going to ask you for something, Roger," she said without looking at him. "Maybe you'll think it's--it's too much that I ask." She glanced up at him doubtfully. "What is it, Laura?" he insisted. "I want your gun, Roger," she whispered. He straightened and stared at her in startled wonder. "But, Laura--a man in my position--why--why--where would I be at?" "Maybe if you gave it to me it would help you find a way out, Roger," she pleaded earnestly. Rathburn looked into her eyes and thrilled. Then without a word he unbuckled his cartridge belt which held his holstered gun, untied the strap about his thigh and laid the belt with the weapon upon the table. "Roger!" said the girl. The sob again was in her voice. She reached out and placed a hand upon his arm. An elderly man appeared in the doorway from the kitchen. "Father, this is Roger," said the girl hurriedly. "He's back." "What's that? Roger, eh? You mean Rathburn is here?" The old man peered at the visitor from the doorway, his lean face twitching. He stroked his gray beard in indecision. His blue eyes looked long at Rathburn, then at the girl, and lastly at the gun and belt on the table. "Well, hello, Rathburn," he said finally, advancing into the room. He held out a hand which Rathburn grasped. "Did you eat yet?" asked Mallory. "In the hills with Joe Price," replied Rathburn. "But I'm just as much obliged." "Yes, of course," Mallory muttered. "With Joe, eh? He ain't been down in months. How is he?" "Looks good as a gold mine an' thinks he's found one," said Rathburn, looking at the girl's father curiously. "That's what keeps him up," Mallory asserted loudly. "He'll never get old as long as he thinks he's got a mine corralled. He ought to try stock raisin' for a while. You look older, Rathburn--more filled out. Are you still cutting 'em high, wide, an' handsome?" Rathburn's face clouded. "Roger's starting new, dad," the girl interposed. Mallory stared keenly at the younger man. He started to speak, but was interrupted by the sound of horses outside the house. Rathburn whirled toward the door, took a step, and stopped in his tracks. The girl's hands flew to the sides of her face, and her eyes widened with apprehension. "I'll go see who it is," said Mallory with a quick look at Rathburn. He hastened out into the kitchen, and a moment later they heard the kitchen door open. There was a murmur of voices. The girl stared at Rathburn breathlessly, while he tapped with his slim fingers upon the top of the table. Then Mallory came in. "Somebody to see you," he said to Rathburn.