Miss Longstreth was sitting white but composed upon the couch, where lay Miss Ruth, who evidently had been carried there by the Colonel. Duane did not think she had wholly lost consciousness, and now she lay very still, with eyes dark and shadowy, her face pallid and wet. The Colonel, now that he finally remembered his women-folk, seemed to be gentle and kind. He talked soothingly to Miss Ruth, made light of the adventure, said she must learn to have nerve out here where things happened. “Can I be of any service?” asked Duane, solicitously. “Thanks; I guess there's nothing you can do. Talk to these frightened girls while I go see what's to be done with that thick-skulled robber,” he replied, and, telling the girls that there was no more danger, he went out. Miss Longstreth sat with one hand holding her torn waist in place; the other she extended to Duane. He took it awkwardly, and he felt a strange thrill. “You saved my life,” she said, in grave, sweet seriousness. “No, no!” Duane exclaimed. “He might have struck you, hurt you, but no more.” “I saw murder in his eyes. He thought I had jewels under my dress. I couldn't bear his touch. The beast! I'd have fought. Surely my life was in peril.” “Did you kill him?” asked Miss Ruth, who lay listening. “Oh no. He's not badly hurt.” “I'm very glad he's alive,” said Miss Longstreth, shuddering. “My intention was bad enough,” Duane went on. “It was a ticklish place for me. You see, he was half drunk, and I was afraid his gun might go off. Fool careless he was!” “Yet you say you didn't save me,” Miss Longstreth returned, quickly. “Well, let it go at that,” Duane responded. “I saved you something.” “Tell me all about it?” asked Miss Ruth, who was fast recovering. Rather embarrassed, Duane briefly told the incident from his point of view. “Then you stood there all the time with your hands up thinking of nothing--watching for nothing except a little moment when you might draw your gun?” asked Miss Ruth. “I guess that's about it,” he replied. “Cousin,” said Miss Longstreth, thoughtfully, “it was fortunate for us that this gentleman happened to be here. Papa scouts--laughs at danger. He seemed to think there was no danger. Yet he raved after it came.” “Go with us all the way to Fairdale--please?” asked Miss Ruth, sweetly offering her hand. “I am Ruth Herbert. And this is my cousin, Ray Longstreth.” “I'm traveling that way,” replied Duane, in great confusion. He did not know how to meet the situation. Colonel Longstreth returned then, and after bidding Duane a good night, which seemed rather curt by contrast to the graciousness of the girls, he led them away. Before going to bed Duane went outside to take a look at the injured robber and perhaps to ask him a few questions. To Duane's surprise, he was gone, and so was his horse. The innkeeper was dumfounded. He said that he left the fellow on the floor in the bar-room. “Had he come to?” inquired Duane. “Sure. He asked for whisky.”