"I don't know how true it is. But I believe it. Gulden is not a man.
The worst of us have a conscience. We can tell right from wrong. But
Gulden can't. He's beneath morals. He has no conception of manhood,
such as I've seen in the lowest of outcasts. That cave story with
the girl--that betrays him. He belongs back in the Stone Age. He's a
thing. ... And here on the border, if he wants, he can have all the
more power because of what he is."

"Kells, don't let him see me!" entreated Joan.

The bandit appeared not to catch the fear in Joan's tone and look.
She had been only a listener. Presently with preoccupied and gloomy
mien, he left her alone.

Joan did not see him again, except for glimpses under the curtain,
for three days. She kept the door barred and saw no one except Bate
Wood, who brought her meals. She paced her cabin like a caged
creature. During this period few men visited Kells's cabin, and
these few did not remain long. Joan was aware that Kells was not
always at home. Evidently he was able to go out. Upon the fourth day
he called to her and knocked for admittance. Joan let him in, and
saw that he was now almost well again, once more cool, easy,
cheerful, with his strange, forceful air.

"Good day, Joan. You don't seem to be pining for your--negligent
husband."

He laughed as if he mocked himself, but there was gladness in the
very sight of her, and some indefinable tone in his voice that
suggested respect.