One by one the garments came flying through the door to me. As fast as I finished examining them I pitched them back, except--Well, as I have thought it over since then, I have decided that I did a mean thing, and have regretted it. But just put yourself in my place, and think of how Lord Ralles had talked to me as if I was his servant, had refused my apology and thanks, and been as generally "nasty" as he could, and perhaps you won't blame me that, after looking through his trousers, I gave them a toss which, instead of sending them back into the hut, sent them over the edge of the trail. They went down six hundred feet before they lodged in a poplar, and if his lordship followed the trail he could get round to them, but there would then be a hundred feet of sheer rock between the trail and the trousers. "I hope it will teach him to study his Lord Chesterfield to better purpose, for if politeness doesn't cost anything, rudeness can cost considerable," I chuckled to myself. My amusement did not last long, for my next thought was, "If those letters are concealed on any one, they are on Miss Cullen." The thought made me lean up against my mule, and turn hot and cold by turns. A nice situation for a lover! CHAPTER VI THE HAPPENINGS DOWN HANCE'S TRAIL Miss Cullen was sitting on a rock apart from her brother and Hance, as I had asked her to do when I helped her dismount. I went over to where she sat, and said, boldly,-- "Miss Cullen, I want those letters." "What letters?" she asked, looking me in the eyes with the most innocent of expressions. She made a mistake to do that, for I knew her innocence must be feigned, and so didn't put much faith in her face for the rest of the interview. "And what is more," I continued, with a firmness of manner about as genuine as her innocence, "unless you will produce them at once, I shall have to search you." "Mr. Gordon!" she exclaimed, but she put such surprise and grief and disbelief into the four syllables that I wanted the earth to swallow me then and there. "Why, Miss Cullen," I cried, "look at my position. I'm being paid to do certain things, and--" "But that needn't prevent your being a gentleman," she interrupted. That made me almost desperate. "Miss Cullen," I groaned, hurriedly, "I'd rather be burned alive than do what I've got to, but if you won't give me those letters, search you I must." "But how can I give you what I haven't?" she cried, indignantly, assuming again her innocent expression. "Will you give me your word of honor that those letters are not concealed in your clothes?" "I will," she answered. I was very much taken aback, for it would have been so easy for Miss Cullen to have said so before that I had become convinced she must have them. "And do you give me your word?" "I do," she affirmed, but she didn't look me in the face as she said it.