When he had brought Taggart face to face with Betty that morning more than a month ago the Arrow man had pretended insolence toward Betty in order to allay any suspicion that Calumet might have concerning the real relations between them.

It had been done cleverly, too, so cleverly that it had convinced him.

When he remembered the cold, disdainful treatment that Betty had accorded Taggart that afternoon, he almost smiled--though the smile was not good to see.

He had championed her--he knew now that it had been a serious championship--and by doing so he had exposed himself to ridicule; to Betty's and Taggart's secret humor.
He discovered an explanation for Betty's conduct while he fed and watered Blackleg.

It was all perfectly plain to him.