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She took it in slowly, with a gathering horror. "The truth!" she

repeated, almost under her breath. "You don't mean----You can't

mean----Are you here as a spy upon my friends?"

"I didn't know they were your friends when I took the job. If

you'll listen, I'll explain."

Words burst from her in gathering bitterness.

"What is there to explain, sir? The facts cry to heaven. I

brought you into this valley, gave you the freedom of our home

against my father's first instinct. I introduced you to my

friends, and no doubt they told you much you wanted to know. They

are simple, honest folks, who don't know a spy when they see one.

And I--fool that I am--I vouched for you. More, I stood between

you and the fate you deserved. And, lastly, in my blind conceit,

I have told you the names of the men in the Squaw Creek trouble.

If I had only known--and I had all the evidence, but I was so

blind I would not see you were a snake in the grass."