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"Can't you let the law take its course, Mr. Danke? Is it

necessary to do this terrible thing?"

"Don't you worry any about it, Miss Kinney. This ain't a woman's

job. I'll attend to it."

"But my friends," she reminded him.

"We ain't intending to hurt them any. Come, I'll see you home.

You staying at the hotel?"

"I don't know. I haven't made any arrangements yet."

"Well, we'll go make them now."

But she did not move. "I'm not going in till I know how this

comes out."

He was a man used to having his own brutal way, one strong by

nature, with strength increased by the money upon which he rode

rough-shod to success.

He laughed as he caught hold of the rein. "That's ridiculous!"

"But my business, I think," the girl answered sharply, jerking

the bridle from his fingers.