Whatever change had come over the rascal it was too evident that his previous belligerent personality had had its full effect upon the simple girl, and that, hereafter, one pair of honest eyes would be wistfully following him.
Perplexed and indignant, Clarence again closely questioned her as to the personnel of the trespassing party who had been seen once or twice since passing over the field.

He had at last elicited enough information to identify one of them as Gilroy, the leader of the party that had invaded Robles rancho.

His cheek flushed.

Even if they had wished to take a theatrical and momentary revenge on Hooker for the passing treachery to them which they had just discovered, although such retaliation was only transitory, and they could not hold the land, it was an insult to Clarence himself, whose tenant Jim was, and subversive of all their legally acquired rights.

He would confront this Gilroy at once; his half-wild encampment was only a few miles away, just over the boundaries of the Robles estate.