"It's as clear as the print in a book. I've got to finish him. That's the only way I can forget the taste of my own blood." "Dan, listen to me!" He laughed again, in the new way. She remembered that her father had dreaded the very thing that had come to Dan--this first taste of his own powers--this first taste (she shuddered) of blood! "Dan, you've told me that you like me. You have to make a choice now, between pursuing this man, and me." "You don't understand," he explained carefully. "I _got_ to follow him. I can't help it no more'n Black Bart can help howlin' when he sees the moon." He fell silent, listening. Far across the hills came the plaintive wail of a coyote--that shrill bodiless sound. Kate trembled. "Dan!" Outside, Satan whinnied softly like a call. She leaned and her lips touched his. He thrust her away almost roughly. "They's blood on my lips, Kate! I can't kiss you till they're clean." He turned his head. "You must listen to me, Dan!" "Kate, would you talk to the wind?" "Yes, if I loved the wind!" He turned his head. She pleaded: "Here are my hands to cover your eyes and shut out the thoughts of this man you hate. Here are my lips, dear, to tell you that I love you unless this thirst for killing carries you away from me. Stay with me! Give me your heart to keep gentle!" He said nothing, but even through the dark she was aware of a struggle in his face, and then, through the gloom, she began to see his eyes more clearly. They seemed to be illuminated by a light from within--they changed--there was a hint of yellow in the brown. And she spoke again, blindly, passionately. "Give me your promise! It is so easy to do. One little word will make you safe. It will save you from yourself." Still he answered nothing. Black Bart came and crouched at his head and stared at her fixedly. "Speak to me!" Only the yellow light answered her. Cold fear fought in her heart, but love still struggled against it. "For the last time--for God's sake, Dan!" Still that silence. She rose, shaking and weak. The changeless eyes followed her. Only fear remained now. She backed towards the door, slowly, then faster, and faster. At the threshold she whirled and plunged into the night. Up the road she raced. Once she stumbled and fell to her knees. She cried out and glanced behind her, breathing again when she saw that nothing followed. At the house she made no pause, though she heard the voice of her father singing. She could not tell him. He should be the last in all the world to know. She went to her room and huddled into bed.