صفحة 300 من 439

The cattleman's face fell. "You know, then, who he is, and what

he's doing here."

Without evasion, her gaze met his. "I understood him to say he

was an officer in the Texas Rangers. You know why he is here."

"You're right, I do. But do you?"

"Well, what is it you mean? Out with it, Jed," she demanded

impatiently.

"He is here to get a man wanted in Texas, a man hiding in this

valley right now."

"I don't believe it," she returned quickly. "And if he is, that's

not your business or mine. It's his duty, isn't it?"

"I ain't discussing that. You know the law of the valley, Arlie."

"I don't accept that as binding, Jed. Lots of people here don't.

Because Lost Valley used to be a nest of miscreants, it needn't

always be. I don't see what right we've got to set ourselves

above the law."

"This valley has always stood by hunted men when they reached it.

That's our custom, and I mean to stick to it."