"I reckon it is, and Anse knows that just as well as you do. An' he knows the gal yere had a room at ther hotel. Thar is where he went, aimin' fer ter raid the shebang just afore daylight." He laughed again mirthlessly. "By God, but Anse will be some mad when he finds out whut has happened. I reckon he'll 'bout cut yer heart out."
"He will have to get me first."
"Oh, don't yer ever worry none 'bout thet, young fellar. Anse will sure git yer; he knows every bridle-path 'cross these mountings, an' I wouldn't give a continental damn fer no chance you've got fer ter git away. He's a tiger cat on a trail, Anse is—an' besides the blame fool wants the gal. He ain't no Cowan if he lets you beat him outer her." He glanced quickly across my shoulder toward the door. Perhaps she moved; perhaps it was all imagination, but I thought I heard a noise, and wheeled partly around, my eyes for an instant deserting old Cowan's face. It was his once chance, and he took it. I sensed the spring, even as Noreen's cry of warning broke the silence, but not in time to escape the grip of the old man's iron fingers. His body crashed against me with such force that I staggered and fell; one hand closed like a vise on my throat, the other gripped the stock of my revolver, crushing my fingers lifeless. I struck against the edge of the
