Rathburn looked once at the white-faced girl and followed her father out into the kitchen. She heard them speak in an undertone, and then Rathburn came back into the room. "I ain't much elated over my visitor," he said slowly. "I wish you hadn't asked me what you did until--well, until this caller had come an' gone." She looked straight into his eyes in an agony of dread. "Who is it, Roger?" she asked, wetting her lips. "Mike Eagen is out there," he answered calmly. She drew a quick breath, while he waited. Then he turned on his heel and started for the kitchen door. "Roger!" she called. He swung about and eyed her questioningly. She pointed at the heavy belt and gun on the table. "Take it," she whispered. He buckled on the belt and tied down the end of the holster so it could not slip if he should draw the weapon within it. Then he made his way into the kitchen and out of the rear door. Laura Mallory sank into a chair, sobbing. CHAPTER XXIX GUNMEN For a moment Rathburn waited at the kitchen door. He heard Mallory going upstairs from the next room. All was still outside, save for the stamping of several horses. Then he suddenly opened the door and stepped out. There was no sound or movement, as he accustomed his eyes to the dim light without. He moved across the threshold and walked straight to a bulky figure standing beside a large horse. "You want to see me, Eagen?" he asked coldly. "Watch out there, Eagen!" came Mallory's voice in a strident tone from a window above them. "I've got you covered with this Winchester!" Both Rathburn and Eagen looked up and saw Mallory leaning out of a window over the kitchen, and the stock of a rifle was snug against his cheek and shoulder. "Acts like he's scared you can't take care of yourself," said Eagen with a sneer. "The way you ditched that posse to-day I didn't think you needed a bodyguard." "I don't," Rathburn retorted. "The old man is acting on his own hook. You was watching the sport to-day?" "Couldn't help it," said Eagen. "It was me an' some of the boys they was after. You sort of helped us out by coming along an' attracting their attention. I pegged you when I saw you ride for it, an' I knew they wouldn't get you." "You mean you hid an' let me stand the gaff," said Rathburn scornfully. "That's your style, Eagen. You're plumb afraid to come out from under cover." He noted that there were three men with Eagen. They were quietly sitting their horses some little distance behind their leader. Eagen muttered something, and Rathburn could see his face working with rage. Then Eagen's coarse features underwent a change, and he grinned, his teeth flashing white under his small, black mustache. "Look here, Rathburn, there's no use in you an' me being on the outs," he said in an undertone. "We've got something in common." "You've made a mistake already," Rathburn interrupted sharply. "We haven't a thing in common I know of, Eagen, unless it's a gun apiece."