He believed the story of her being insane had been carefully planned, and that Warfield had perhaps ridden over in the hope that they would find her alone; though with Frank dead on the ranch that would be unlikely.

But to offset that, Lone's reason told him that Warfield had probably not known that Frank was dead.

That had been news to him--or had it?
He tried to remember whether Warfield had mentioned it first and could not.

Too many disturbing emotions had held him lately; Lone was beginning to feel the need of a long, quiet pondering over his problems.

He did not feel sure of anything except the fact that the Quirt was like a drowning man struggling vainly against the whirlpool that is sucking him slowly under.
One thing he knew, and that was his determination to stay with these two of the Sawtooth until he had some definite information; until he saw Lorraine or knew that she was safe from them.