"I'm very glad to know you, Mr. Lee."

"All right, stranger," said Morgan, who in the meantime had been
shifting from one foot to the other and estimating the large chances
of failure in this attempt to collect the guns, "if you're going to
help me corral the shootin' irons, let's start the roundup."

The girl went with them. They had no trouble in getting the weapons.
The cold blue eye of Lee Haines was a quick and effective persuasion.

When they reached Jim Silent he stared fixedly upon Haines. Then he
drew his guns slowly and presented them to his comrade, while his eyes
shifted to Kate and he said coldly: "Lady, I hope I ain't the last one
to congratulate you!"

She did not understand, but Haines scowled and coloured. Dan, in the
meantime, was swept into the saloon by an influx of the cowpunchers
that left only Lee Haines outside with Kate. She had detained him with
a gesture.




CHAPTER VI


LAUGHTER

"Mr. Lee," she said, "I am going to ask you to do me a favour. Will
you?"