by him. Besides Dick, he might count on Howard; perhaps on others.

Jed was in high good humor. All along the line he seemed to be
winning. Arlie had discarded this intruder from Texas and was showing
herself very friendly to the cattleman. The suspicion of Fraser which
he had disseminated was bearing fruit; and so, more potently, was the
word the girl had dropped incautiously. He had only to wait in order
to see his rival wiped out. So that, when Arlie put in her little
plea, he felt it would not cost him anything to affect a large
generosity.

"Let him go, Jed. He is discredited. Folks are all on their guard
before him now. He can't do any harm here. Dick says he is only
waiting out his week because of your threat. Don't make trouble. Let
him sneak back home, like a whipped cur," she begged.

"I don't want any trouble with him, girl. All I ask is that he leave
the valley. Let Dick arrange that, and I'll give him a chance."

She thanked him, with a look that said more than words.

It was two hours later, when she was waltzing with Jed again, that
Arlie caught sight of a face that disturbed her greatly. It was a
countenance disfigured by a ragged scar, running from the bridge of
the nose. She had last seen it gazing into the window of Alec Howard's
cabin on a certain never-to-be-forgotten night.

"Who is that man-- the one leaning against the door jamb, just behind
Slim Leroy?" she asked.