But what could that be?
What family secret could Willoughby have blurted out in his cups, which had so stimulated the gambler's wits?
Two things combined to cause Keith to determine he would uncover this rascality,--his desire to repay Hawley, and his interest in the girl rescued on the Salt Fork.

This gossamer web of intrigue into which he had stumbled unwittingly was nothing to him personally; had it not involved both Hawley and Miss Hope, he would have left it unsolved without another thought.

But under the circumstances it became his own battle.

There was a crime here--hidden as yet, and probably not consummated--involving wrong, perhaps disgrace, to the young girl.

He had rescued her once from out the clutches of this man, and he had no intention of deserting her now.