truth!"

She took it in slowly, with a gathering horror. "The truth!" she
repeated, almost under her breath. "You don't mean---- You can't
mean---- Are you here as a spy upon my friends?"

"I didn't know they were your friends when I took the job. If you'll
listen, I'll explain."

Words burst from her in gathering bitterness.

"What is there to explain, sir? The facts cry to heaven. I brought you
into this valley, gave you the freedom of our home against my father's
first instinct. I introduced you to my friends, and no doubt they told
you much you wanted to know. They are simple, honest folks, who don't
know a spy when they see one. And I-- fool that I am-- I vouched for
you. More, I stood between you and the fate you deserved. And, lastly,
in my blind conceit, I have told you the names of the men in the Squaw
Creek trouble. If I had only known-- and I had all the evidence, but I
was so blind I would not see you were a snake in the grass."

He put out a hand to stop her, and she drew back as if his touch were
pollution. From the other side of the room, she looked across at him
in bitter scorn.

"I shall make arrangements to have you taken out of the valley at
once, sir."

"You needn't take the trouble, Miss Arlie. I'm not going out of the
valley. If you'll have me taken to Alec Howard's shack, which is where