For years Falkner had fought his snarling way against those who held the upper hand. Hatred and bitterness had filled his soul. But the contact with this soft, helpless bit of gurgling humanity sent a queer thrill through him. It was as if pink velvet of exquisite texture, breathing delicious life, were rubbing itself against his cheek. But it was not alone the physical sensation that reached him. Somehow the little beggar, so absolutely sure of his welcome, twined those dimpled fingers around the heartstrings of the callous man. Not since his mother’s death had any human being come to him with such implicit trust. The Adam’s apple in the convict’s throat shot up and registered emotion. “The blamed little cuss! See him grab a-holt of my ear.” Ruth left the baby in his arms, took off her coat, and walked to the stove. She held out her hands and began to warm them. “We were in the car,” she explained. “I took the high-line back because I was afraid of the upper bridge. The machine stalled in a drift.” “You don’t ask me how-come I’m here,” he growled. “I know,” she said simply. “Art Philips dropped in to Yerbys’ and stayed for dinner. He told us you escaped four days ago.” “Did he tell you I killed a guard?” “No. He said you wounded one.” “First I knew he wasn’t dead. Wish I’d been more thorough. If ever a man needed killing, he did.” “They abused you a good deal, didn’t they?” she ventured. He ripped out a sudden furious oath. “If ever I get a chance at two or three of them——” “Better not think of that now. The question is how you are going to get away.” “What’s that to you?” he demanded, his suspicions all alert. “I thought if you’d come down to the Circle Diamond you could get a horse. That would give you a much better chance.” “And how do I know you wouldn’t ’phone to Matson?” he sneered. She looked at him. “Don’t you know me better than that, Mr. Falkner?” she said gently. He mumbled what might be taken either for an apology or for an oath. “That’s all right. I dare say I wouldn’t be very trustful myself if I had been through what you have.” Ruth tossed him a smiling nod and dismissed the subject. “But we’re not down at the ranch yet. How long is this storm likely to last, Mr. Falkner?” “It will blow itself out before morning. Too early in the season for it to last. I reckon it’s only a one-day blizzard.” “You don’t think there will be any trouble about getting down to-morrow, do you?” she asked anxiously. “I’m not worried about myself, but I’ve got to get food for Baby.” “Depends on the snow,” he said sulkily. “If it keeps on, you can’t break trail and carry the kid.” “Perhaps you could go with me; then you could cut out a horse and ride away after dark.” “I don’t have to go down there. I can pick up a horse at Yerbys’.” He added grudgingly in explanation: “Me for the hills. I don’t want to get down into the valleys, where too many people are.”