Yet why should he?
What good could it do?
He could not hope to bear her south to the "Bar X" Ranch, for the ponies were already too thoroughly exhausted for such a journey; he dared not turn north with her, for that would mean his own arrest, leaving her in worse condition than ever.

If he only knew who this man Hawley was, his purpose, and plans! Yet what protection could he and Neb prove, alone here, and without arms?
All this flashed through his mind in an instant, leaving him confused and uncertain.
"I hope not," he managed to say in answer to her query.

"But it is rather a strange mix-up all around, and I confess I fail to comprehend its full meaning.

It is hardly likely your friends will show up to-night, and by morning perhaps we can decide what is best to do.

Let me look around outside a moment." Her eyes followed him as he stepped through the door into the darkness; then her head dropped into the support of her hands.