She now looked at him rather curiously, but her expression did not soften in the least. Doubt, scorn, a real dislike of the man who sought to gain her confidence struggled to gain the mastery of her pretty features. “I don’t know you, I’ve only seen you a few times. I don’t make friends so easy——” “We don’t make friends in this world, Miss Blossom. We win them whether we would or not. You have won my friendly feeling because I know that you are troubled. I know what your trouble is, and I believe I can help you.” His downrightness startled Nell, and she stopped and stared at him. “You can’t help me if I don’t want your help,” she cried in secret panic. “I cannot help you so much if you deny me your confidence,” he admitted. “But I stand ready to help you.” “You’d better sit down,” she shot at him. “You’ll have a long wait standing for me to get confidential with you, Mr. Parson.” “Consider,” said Hunt seriously, unshaken. “We cannot any of us afford to refuse an honest offer of sympathy and assistance.” “What are you trying to do?” she asked with suspicion. “Trying to squeeze something out of me? You parsons!” She muttered the phrase disdainfully. He put her rudeness aside without change of countenance. His placidity, his assurance, began to shake Nell’s confidence in herself more than any other thing. “I have heard something. I have seen something. I know that if you will listen to me—perhaps accept and follow some advice I may give you—you will be benefited,” he said. “In what way, I should like to know?” she asked jeeringly. “In your heart. In your mind and conscience.” “Well!” She was silent again for a moment, but her face did not change in its expression, “Well, you can talk, I reckon,” and she moved on slowly again. “There ain’t any law against talking in Canyon Pass—yet.” “From the few words I heard that man, Tolley, say to you on Sunday evening, I know that he threatened you,” Hunt said directly. “That beast!” “He thinks he has knowledge that will make you trouble if spread broadcast in the town.” “Let him dare!” Her face was suddenly that of a young and beautiful fury. Hunt shook his head, saying softly: “Killing him would not remove the cause of your trouble, Nell Blossom.” She turned on him again, her little fists clenched. “How much do you know? Out with it!” she commanded. “I will tell you what Tolley says.” “So you’ve been snooping and prying, have you?” she queried, her rage almost suffocating her. “I will tell you what Tolley says,” repeated Hunt. And he did so calmly, dispassionately, as though he were relating a series of common facts. “That man’s horse was under the fall from the cliff. The man’s body is not there—if he fell with the horse.” Nell did not even wince, still staring into his eyes, her own as hard as flint. “Those are all the facts in my possession, Miss Blossom.”