“Wait,” she replied. “Didn't you say they were hunting for you?” “They sure are,” he returned, grimly. “Oh, then you mustn't go. They might shoot you before you got away. Stay. If we hear them you can hide. I'll turn out the light. I'll meet them at the door. You can trust me. Wait till all quiets down, if we have to wait till morning. Then you can slip out.” “I oughtn't to stay. I don't want to--I won't,” Duane replied, perplexed and stubborn. “But you must. It's the only safe way. They won't come here.” “Suppose they should? It's an even chance Longstreth'll search every room and corner in this old house. If they found me here I couldn't start a fight. You might be hurt. Then--the fact of my being here--” Duane did not finish what he meant, but instead made a step toward the door. White of face and dark of eye, she took hold of him to detain him. She was as strong and supple as a panther. But she need not have been either resolute or strong, for the clasp of her hand was enough to make Duane weak. “Up yet, Ray?” came Longstreth's clear voice, too strained, too eager to be natural. “No. I'm in bed reading. Good night,” instantly replied Miss Longstreth, so calmly and naturally that Duane marveled at the difference between man and woman. Then she motioned for Duane to hide in the closet. He slipped in, but the door would not close altogether. “Are you alone?” went on Longstreth's penetrating voice. “Yes,” she replied. “Ruth went to bed.” The door swung inward with a swift scrape and jar. Longstreth half entered, haggard, flaming-eyed. Behind him Duane saw Lawson, and indistinctly another man. Longstreth barred Lawson from entering, which action showed control as well as distrust. He wanted to see into the room. When he had glanced around he went out and closed the door. Then what seemed a long interval ensued. The house grew silent once more. Duane could not see Miss Longstreth, but he heard her quick breathing. How long did she mean to let him stay hidden there? Hard and perilous as his life had been, this was a new kind of adventure. He had divined the strange softness of his feeling as something due to the magnetism of this beautiful woman. It hardly seemed possible that he, who had been outside the pale for so many years, could have fallen in love. Yet that must be the secret of his agitation. Presently he pushed open the closet door and stepped forth. Miss Longstreth had her head lowered upon her arms and appeared to be in distress. At his touch she raised a quivering face. “I think I can go now--safely,” he whispered. “Go then, if you must, but you may stay till you're safe,” she replied. “I--I couldn't thank you enough. It's been hard on me--this finding out--and you his daughter. I feel strange. I don't understand myself well. But I want you to know--if I were not an outlaw--a ranger--I'd lay my life at your feet.” “Oh! You have seen so--so little of me,” she faltered.