She sat down on the door-step. He came toward her, meaning to have a better look at her. "But you were just beginning your supper," she objected. "Please go on with it while it is hot. Otherwise I shall most certainly leave without talking with you as I had wished." "But you? There is plenty for both of us." She shook her head emphatically. "No, thank you. It's very kind, but I have eaten." "Then I eat, though it's putting a hungry man at an unfair advantage to watch him at such a disgusting pastime." He poured himself a cup of coffee, all the while trying to make out her features. He knew already that she was pretty; one sensed a thing like that. But just how pretty, that even Babe Deveril could not decide as long as the light was no better and she hid in the shadows of her provoking hat. "And now, how may I be of service?" Thus of the two she was the first to be given the opportunity of clear observation. There were two candles stuck in their own grease on the rough table, and between them his face looking out toward her was unshadowed. A face gay and insouciant, dark and clean-cut, the face of devil-may-care youth. It struck her that there was an evidence of the man's character in the fact that, though she had caught him in the act of kissing his maid of all work, he was not in the least perturbed. She thought that it would be easy to like this man; she was not sure that she could ever trust him. "I am Lynette Brooke," she said in a moment. "And I thought it possible that, if you cared to do so, you might answer a question for me." "If I may be of assistance to you," he told her, cordially, watching her narrowly, "you have but to let me know." "Thank you." He had inclined his head in acknowledgment of her introduction and now her head tipped slightly toward him. "My question has to do, naturally, with the one matter of general interest in Big Pine to-day. You see, I have heard of you; I know that you know some of the men here ... Sheriff Taggart and Mr. Gallup, for example. And ... I once had the pleasure of meeting you, Mr. Deveril. Small excuse for troubling you, I know, but when one is in earnest...." "I'll tell you something!" said Deveril quickly. "Yes?" "I'd give a whole lot for a good square look at you! I am no hand for names; and I haven't been able to make out your face." "A whole lot?" It was a fair guess that she was smiling. "Well, then, it's a bargain. You give me an answer to a question!" "Done! Any question!"