Vance, you are right. If he has the elements of a mankiller in him after
what I've done for him, then he's a hopeless case. The sheriff shall
stay! The sheriff shall stay!"

She kept repeating it, as though the repetition of the phrase might bring
her courage. And then she went back among her guests.

As for Vance, he remained skillfully in the background that day. It was
peculiarly vital, this day of all days, that he should not be much in
evidence. No one must see in him a controlling influence.

In the meantime he watched his sister with a growing admiration and with
a growing concern. Instantly she had a problem on her hands. For the
moment Terence heard that the great sheriff himself had joined the party,
he was filled with happiness. Vance watched them meet with a heart
swelling with happiness and surety of success. Straight through a group
came Terry, weaving his way eagerly, and went up to the sheriff. Vance
saw Elizabeth attempt to detain him, attempt to send him on an errand.
But he waved her suggestion away for a moment and made for the sheriff.
Elizabeth, seeing that the meeting could not be avoided, at least
determined to be present at it. She came up with Terence and presented
him.

"Sheriff Minter, this is Terence Colby."

"I've heard of you, Colby," said the sheriff kindly. And he waited for a
response with the gleaming eye of a vain man. There was not long to wait.

"You've really heard of me?" said Terry, immensely pleased. "By the Lord,
I've heard of you, sheriff! But, of course, everybody has."