DuanegatheredshewasonavisittowesternTexas。Theothergirl’sdeepvoice，sweetlikeabell，madeDuaneregardhercloser。Shehadbeautyashehadneverseenitinanotherwoman。Shewasslender，butthedevelopmentofherfiguregaveDuanetheimpressionshewastwentyyearsoldormore。ShehadthemostexquisitehandsDuanehadeverseen。ShedidnotresembletheColonel，whowasevidentlyherfather。Shelookedtired，quiet，evenmelancholy。Afinelychiseledovalface;
　　clear，olive—tintedskin，longeyessetwideapartandblackascoal，beautifultolookinto;aslender，straightnosethathadsomethingnervousanddelicateaboutitwhichmadeDuanethinkofathoroughbred;andamouthbynomeanssmall，butperfectlycurved;andhairlikejet——allthesefeaturesproclaimedherbeautytoDuane。DuanebelievedheradescendantofoneoftheoldFrenchfamiliesofeasternTexas。Hewassureofitwhenshelookedathim，drawnbyhisratherpersistentgaze。Therewerepride，fire，andpassioninhereyes。Duanefelthimselfblushinginconfusion。Hisstareatherhadbeenrude，perhaps，butunconscious。Howmanyyearshadpassedsincehehadseenagirllikeher！Thereafterhekepthiseyesuponhisplate，yetheseemedtobeawarethathehadarousedtheinterestofbothgirls。
　　Aftersuppertheguestsassembledinabigsitting—roomwhereanopenfireplacewithblazingmesquitesticksgaveoutwarmthandcheeryglow。Duanetookaseatbyatableinthecorner，and，findingapaper，begantoread。Presentlywhenheglanceduphesawtwodark—facedmen，strangerswhohadnotappearedbefore，andwerepeeringinfromadoorway。WhentheysawDuanehadobservedthemtheysteppedbackoutofsight。
　　ItflashedoverDuanethatthestrangersactedsuspiciously。InTexasintheseventiesitwasalwaysbadpolicytoletstrangersgounheeded。Duaneponderedamoment。Thenhewentouttolookoverthesetwomen。Thedoorwayopenedintoapatio，andacrossthatwasalittledingy，dim—lightedbar—room。HereDuanefoundtheinnkeeperdispensingdrinkstothetwostrangers。Theyglancedupwhenheentered，andoneofthemwhispered。Heimaginedhehadseenoneofthembefore。InTexas，whereoutdoormenweresorough，bronzed，bold，andsometimesgrimofaspect，itwasnoeasytasktopickoutthecrookedones。ButDuane’syearsontheborderhadaugmentedanaturalinstinctorgifttoreadcharacter，oratleasttosensetheevilinmen;andheknewatoncethatthesestrangersweredishonest。
　　"Heysomethin’？"oneofthemasked，leering。BothlookedDuaneupanddown。
　　"Nothanks，Idon’tdrink，"Duanereplied，andreturnedtheirscrutinywithinterest。"How’stricksintheBigBend？"
　　Bothmenstared。IthadtakenonlyacloseglanceforDuanetorecognizeatypeofruffianmostfrequentlymetalongtheriver。Thesestrangershadthatstamp，andtheirsurpriseprovedhewasright。Heretheinnkeepershowedsignsofuneasiness，andsecondedthesurpriseofhiscustomers。Nomorewassaidattheinstant，andthetworatherhurriedlywentout。
　　"Say，boss，doyouknowthosefellows？"Duaneaskedtheinnkeeper。
　　"Nope。"
　　"Whichwaydidtheycome？"
　　"NowIthinkofit，themfellersridinfrombothcornerstoday，"hereplied，andheputbothhandsonthebarandlookedatDuane。"Theynoonedheah，comin’fromBradford，theysaid，an’trailedinafterthestage。"
　　WhenDuanereturnedtothesitting—roomColonelLongstrethwasabsent，alsoseveraloftheotherpassengers。MissRuthsatinthechairhehadvacated，andacrossthetablefromhersatMissLongstreth。Duanewentdirectlytothem。
　　"Excuseme，"saidDuane，addressingthem。"Iwanttotellyouthereareacoupleofrough—lookingmenhere。I’vejustseenthem。Theymeanevil。Tellyourfathertobecareful。Lockyourdoors——baryourwindowsto—night。"
　　"Oh！"criedRuth，verylow。"Ray，doyouhear？"
　　"Thankyou;we’llbecareful，"saidMissLongstreth，gracefully。Therichcolorhadfadedinhercheek。"Isawthosemenwatchingyoufromthatdoor。Theyhadsuchbrightblackeyes。Istherereallydanger——here？"
　　"Ithinkso，"wasDuane’sreply。
　　Softswiftstepsbehindhimprecededaharshvoice:"Handsup！"
　　NomanquickerthanDuanetorecognizetheintentinthosewords！Hishandsshotup。MissRuthutteredalittlefrightenedcryandsankintoherchair。MissLongstrethturnedwhite，hereyesdilated。BothgirlswerestaringatsomeonebehindDuane。
　　"Turnaround！"orderedtheharshvoice。
　　Thebig，darkstranger，thebeardedonewhohadwhisperedtohiscomradeinthebar—roomandaskedDuanetodrink，hadhimcoveredwithacockedgun。Hestrodeforward，hiseyesgleaming，pressedthegunagainsthim，andwithhisotherhanddoveintohisinsidecoatpocketandtoreouthisrollofbills。ThenhereachedlowatDuane’ship，felthisgun，andtookit。Thenheslappedtheotherhip，evidentlyinsearchofanotherweapon。Thatdone，hebackedaway，wearinganexpressionoffiendishsatisfactionthatmadeDuanethinkhewasonlyacommonthief，anoviceatthiskindofgame。
　　Hiscomradestoodinthedoorwithagunleveledattwoothermen，whostoodtherefrightened，speechless。
　　"Gitamoveon，Bill，"calledthisfellow;andhetookahastyglancebackward。Astampofhoofscamefromoutside。Ofcoursetherobbershadhorseswaiting。TheonecalledBillstrodeacrosstheroom，andwithbrutal，carelesshastebegantoprodthetwomenwithhisweaponandtosearchthem。Therobberinthedoorwaycalled"Rustle！"anddisappeared。
　　Duanewonderedwheretheinnkeeperwas，andColonelLongstrethandtheothertwopassengers。Thebeardedrobberquicklygotthroughwithhissearching，andfromhisgrowlsDuanegatheredhehadnotbeenwellremunerated。Thenhewheeledoncemore。
　　Duanehadnotmovedamuscle，stoodperfectlycalmwithhisarmshigh。Therobberstrodebackwithhisbloodshoteyesfasteneduponthegirls。MissLongstrethneverflinched，butthelittlegirlappearedabouttofaint。
　　"Don’tyap，there！"hesaid，lowandhard。HethrustthegunclosetoRuth。ThenDuaneknewforsurethathewasnoknightoftheroad，butaplaincutthroatrobber。DangeralwaysmadeDuaneexultinakindofcoldglow。Butnowsomethinghotworkedwithinhim。Hehadalittleguninhispocket。Therobberhadmissedit。Andhebegantocalculatechances。
　　"Anymoney，jewelry，diamonds！"orderedtheruffian，fiercely。
　　MissRuthcollapsed。ThenhemadeatMissLongstreth。Shestoodwithherhandsatherbreast。Evidentlytherobbertookthispositiontomeanthatshehadvaluablesconcealedthere。ButDuanefanciedshehadinstinctivelypressedherhandsagainstathrobbingheart。
　　"Comeoutwithit！"hesaid，harshly，reachingforher。
　　"Don’tdaretouchme！"shecried，hereyesablaze。Shedidnotmove。Shehadnerve。
　　ItmadeDuanethrill。Hesawhewasgoingtogetachance。
　　Waitinghadbeenasciencewithhim。Buthereitwashard。MissRuthhadfainted，andthatwaswell。MissLongstrethhadfightinher，whichfacthelpedDuane，yetmadeinjurypossibletoher。Sheeludedtwolungesthemanmadeather。Thenhisroughhandcaughtherwaist，andwithonepullrippeditasunder，exposingherbeautifulshoulder，whiteassnow。
　　Shecriedout。TheprospectofbeingrobbedorevenkilledhadnotshakenMissLongstreth’snerveashadthisbrutaltearingoffofhalfherwaist。
　　TheruffianwasonlyturnedpartiallyawayfromDuane。Forhimselfhecouldhavewaitednolonger。Butforher！Thatgunwasstillhelddangerouslyupwardclosetoher。Duanewatchedonlythat。Thenabellowmadehimjerkhishead。ColonelLongstrethstoodinthedoorwayinamagnificentrage。Hehadnoweapon。Strangehowheshowednofear！Hebellowedsomethingagain。
　　Duane’sshiftingglancecaughttherobber’ssuddenmovement。Itwasakindofstart。Heseemedstricken。DuaneexpectedhimtoshootLongstreth。InsteadthehandthatclutchedMissLongstreth’stornwaistlooseneditshold。Theotherhandwithitscockedweaponslowlydroppedtillitpointedtothefloor。
　　ThatwasDuane’schance。
　　Swiftasaflashhedrewhisgunandfired。Thud！wenthisbullet，andhecouldnottellontheinstantwhetherithittherobberorwentintotheceiling。Thentherobber’sgunboomedharmlessly。Hefellwithbloodspurtingoverhisface。Duanerealizedhehadhithim，butthesmallbullethadglanced。
　　MissLongstrethreeledandmighthavefallenhadDuanenotsupportedher。Itwasonlyafewstepstoacouch，towhichhehalfled，halfcarriedher。Thenherushedoutoftheroom，acrossthepatio，throughthebartotheyard。Nevertheless，hewascautious。Inthegloomstoodasaddledhorse，probablytheonebelongingtothefellowhehadshot。Hiscomradehadescaped。Returningtothesitting—room，Duanefoundaconditionapproachingpandemonium。
　　Theinnkeeperrushedin，pitchforkinhands。Evidentlyhehadbeenoutatthebarn。Hewasnowshoutingtofindoutwhathadhappened。Joel，thestage—driver，wastryingtoquietthemenwhohadbeenrobbed。Thewoman，wifeofoneofthemen，hadcomein，andshehadhysterics。Thegirlswerestillandwhite。
　　TherobberBilllaywherehehadfallen，andDuaneguessedhehadmadeafairshot，afterall。And，lastly，thethingthatstruckDuanemostofallwasLongstreth’srage。Heneversawsuchpassion。LikeacagedlionLongstrethstalkedandroared。
　　Therecameaquietermomentinwhichtheinnkeepershrillyprotested:
　　"Man，what’reyouravin’aboot？Nobody’shurt，an’thet’slucky。IsweartoGodIhadn’tnothin’todowiththemfellers！"
　　"Ioughttokillyouanyhow！"repliedLongstreth。AndhisvoicenowastoundedDuane，itwassofullofpower。
　　UponexaminationDuanefoundthathisbullethadfurrowedtherobber’stemple，tornagreatpieceoutofhisscalp，and，asDuanehadguessed，hadglanced。Hewasnotseriouslyinjured，andalreadyshowedsignsofreturningconsciousness。
　　"Draghimoutofhere！"orderedLongstreth;andheturnedtohisdaughter。
　　BeforetheinnkeeperreachedtherobberDuanehadsecuredthemoneyandguntakenfromhim;andpresentlyrecoveredthepropertyoftheothermen。Joelhelpedtheinnkeepercarrytheinjuredmansomewhereoutside。
　　MissLongstrethwassittingwhitebutcomposeduponthecouch，wherelayMissRuth，whoevidentlyhadbeencarriedtherebytheColonel。Duanedidnotthinkshehadwhollylostconsciousness，andnowshelayverystill，witheyesdarkandshadowy，herfacepallidandwet。TheColonel，nowthathefinallyrememberedhiswomen—folk，seemedtobegentleandkind。HetalkedsoothinglytoMissRuth，madelightoftheadventure，saidshemustlearntohavenerveoutherewherethingshappened。
　　"CanIbeofanyservice？"askedDuane，solicitously。
　　"Thanks;Iguessthere’snothingyoucando。TalktothesefrightenedgirlswhileIgoseewhat’stobedonewiththatthick—skulledrobber，"hereplied，and，tellingthegirlsthattherewasnomoredanger，hewentout。
　　MissLongstrethsatwithonehandholdinghertornwaistinplace;theothersheextendedtoDuane。Hetookitawkwardly，andhefeltastrangethrill。
　　"Yousavedmylife，"shesaid，ingrave，sweetseriousness。
　　"No，no！"Duaneexclaimed。"Hemighthavestruckyou，hurtyou，butnomore。"
　　"Isawmurderinhiseyes。HethoughtIhadjewelsundermydress。Icouldn’tbearhistouch。Thebeast！I’dhavefought。
　　Surelymylifewasinperil。"
　　"Didyoukillhim？"askedMissRuth，wholaylistening。
　　"Ohno。He’snotbadlyhurt。"
　　"I’mverygladhe’salive，"saidMissLongstreth，shuddering。
　　"Myintentionwasbadenough，"Duanewenton。"Itwasaticklishplaceforme。Yousee，hewashalfdrunk，andIwasafraidhisgunmightgooff。Foolcarelesshewas！"
　　"Yetyousayyoudidn’tsaveme，"MissLongstrethreturned，quickly。
　　"Well，letitgoatthat，"Duaneresponded。"Isavedyousomething。"
　　"Tellmeallaboutit？"askedMissRuth，whowasfastrecovering。
　　Ratherembarrassed，Duanebrieflytoldtheincidentfromhispointofview。
　　"Thenyoustoodthereallthetimewithyourhandsupthinkingofnothing——watchingfornothingexceptalittlemomentwhenyoumightdrawyourgun？"askedMissRuth。
　　"Iguessthat’saboutit，"hereplied。
　　"Cousin，"saidMissLongstreth，thoughtfully，"itwasfortunateforusthatthisgentlemanhappenedtobehere。Papascouts——laughsatdanger。Heseemedtothinktherewasnodanger。Yetheravedafteritcame。"
　　"GowithusallthewaytoFairdale——please？"askedMissRuth，sweetlyofferingherhand。"IamRuthHerbert。Andthisismycousin，RayLongstreth。"
　　"I’mtravelingthatway，"repliedDuane，ingreatconfusion。Hedidnotknowhowtomeetthesituation。
　　ColonelLongstrethreturnedthen，andafterbiddingDuaneagoodnight，whichseemedrathercurtbycontrasttothegraciousnessofthegirls，heledthemaway。
　　BeforegoingtobedDuanewentoutsidetotakealookattheinjuredrobberandperhapstoaskhimafewquestions。ToDuane’ssurprise，hewasgone，andsowashishorse。Theinnkeeperwasdumfounded。Hesaidthatheleftthefellowonthefloorinthebar—room。
　　"Hadhecometo？"inquiredDuane。
　　"Sure。Heaskedforwhisky。"
　　"Didhesayanythingelse？"
　　"Nottome。Iheardhimtalkin’tothefatherofthemgirls。"
　　"YoumeanColonelLongstreth？"
　　"Ireckon。Hesurewassomeriled，wasn’the？JestasifIwastoblameferthattwo—bitofahold—up！"
　　"Whatdidyoumakeoftheoldgent’srage？"askedDuane，watchingtheinnkeeper。Hescratchedhisheaddubiously。Hewassincere，andDuanebelievedinhishonesty。
　　"Wal，I’mdoggonedifIknowwhattomakeofit。ButIreckonhe’seithercrazyorgotmorenervethanmostTexans。"
　　"Morenerve，maybe，"Duanereplied。"Showmeabednow，innkeeper。"
　　Onceinbedinthedark，Duanecomposedhimselftothinkovertheseveraleventsoftheevening。Hecalledupthedetailsoftheholdupandcarefullyrevolvedtheminmind。TheColonel’swrath，undercircumstanceswherealmostanyTexanwouldhavebeencool，nonplussedDuane，andheputitdowntoacholerictemperament。HeponderedlongontheactionoftherobberwhenLongstreth’sbellowofrageburstinuponhim。Thisruffian，asboldandmeanatypeasDuanehadeverencountered，had，fromsomecauseorother，beenstartled。FromwhateverpointDuaneviewedtheman’sstrangeindecisionhecouldcometoonlyoneconclusion——hisstart，hischeck，hisfearhadbeenthatofrecognition。DuanecomparedthiseffectwiththesuddenlyacquiredsensehehadgottenofColonelLongstreth’spowerfulpersonality。WhyhadthatdesperaterobberloweredhisgunandstoodparalyzedatsightandsoundoftheMayorofFairdale？
　　Thiswasnotanswerable。Theremighthavebeenanumberofreasons，alltoColonelLongstreth’scredit，butDuanecouldnotunderstand。Longstrethhadnotappearedtoseedangerforhisdaughter，eventhoughshehadbeenroughlyhandled，andhadadvancedinfrontofacockedgun。Duaneprobeddeepintothissingularfact，andhebroughttobearonthethingallhisknowledgeandexperienceofviolentTexaslife。AndhefoundthattheinstantColonelLongstrethhadappearedonthescenetherewasnofurtherdangerthreateninghisdaughter。Why？ThatlikewiseDuanecouldnotanswer。Thenhisrage，Duaneconcluded，hadbeensolelyattheideaofHISdaughterbeingassaultedbyarobber。Thisdeductionwasindeedathought—disturber，butDuaneputitasidetocrystallizeandformorecarefulconsideration。
　　NextmorningDuanefoundthatthelittletownwascalledSanderson。Itwaslargerthanhehadatfirstsupposed。Hewalkedupthemainstreetandbackagain。Justashearrivedsomehorsemenrodeuptotheinnanddismounted。AndatthisjuncturetheLongstrethpartycameout。DuaneheardColonelLongstrethutteranexclamation。Thenhesawhimshakehandswithatallman。Longstrethlookedsurprisedandangry，andhespokewithforce;butDuanecouldnothearwhatitwashesaid。
　　Thefellowlaughed，yetsomehowhestruckDuaneassullen，untilsuddenlyheespiedMissLongstreth。Thenhisfacechanged，andheremovedhissombrero。Duanewentcloser。
　　"Floyd，didyoucomewiththeteams？"askedLongstreth，sharply。
　　"Notme。Irodeahorse，goodandhard，"wasthereply。
　　"Humph！I’llhaveawordtosaytoyoulater。"ThenLongstrethturnedtohisdaughter。"Ray，here’sthecousinI’vetoldyouabout。Youusedtoplaywithhimtenyearsago——FloydLawson。
　　Floyd，mydaughter——andmyniece，RuthHerbert。"
　　Duanealwaysscrutinizedeveryonehemet，andnowwithadangerousgametoplay，withaconsciousnessofLongstreth’sunusualandsignificantpersonality，hebentakeenandsearchingglanceuponthisFloydLawson。
　　Hewasunderthirty，yetgrayathistemples——dark，smooth—shaven，withlinesleftbywildness，dissipation，shadowsunderdarkeyes，amouthstrongandbitter，andasquarechin——areckless，careless，handsome，sinisterfacestrangelylosingthehardnesswhenhesmiled。Thegraceofagentlemanclungroundhim，seemedlikeanechoinhismellowvoice。Duanedoubtednotthathe，likemanyayoungman，haddriftedouttothefrontier，whereroughandwildlifehadwroughtsternlybuthadnotquiteeffacedthemarkofgoodfamily。
　　ColonelLongstrethapparentlydidnotsharethepleasureofhisdaughterandhisnieceintheadventofthiscousin。Somethinghingedonthismeeting。Duanegrewintenselycurious，but，asthestageappearedreadyforthejourney，hehadnofurtheropportunitytogratifyit。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　Duanefollowedthestagethroughthetown，outintotheopen，ontoawide，hard—packedroadshowingyearsoftravel。Itheadednorthwest。Totheleftrosearangeoflow，bleakmountainshehadnotedyesterday，andtotherightslopedthemesquite—patchedsweepofridgeandflat。Thedriverpushedhisteamtoafasttrot，whichgaitsurelycoveredgroundrapidly。
　　Thestagemadethreestopsintheforenoon，oneataplacewherethehorsescouldbewatered，thesecondatachuck—wagonbelongingtocowboyswhowereridingafterstock，andthethirdatasmallclusterofadobeandstonehousesconstitutingahamletthedrivercalledLongstreth，namedaftertheColonel。
　　FromthatpointontoFairdaletherewereonlyafewranches，eachonecontrollinggreatacreage。
　　Earlyintheafternoonfromaridge—topDuanesightedFairdale，agreenpatchinthemassofgray。ForthebarrensofTexasitwasindeedafairsight。Buthewasmoreconcernedwithitsremotenessfromcivilizationthanitsbeauty。Atthattime，intheearlyseventies，whenthevastwesternthirdofTexaswasawilderness，thepioneerhaddonewonderstosettlethereandestablishplaceslikeFairdale。
　　ItneededonlyaglanceforDuanetopickoutColonelLongstreth’sranch。ThehousewassituatedontheonlyelevationaroundFairdale，anditwasnothigh，normorethanafewminutes’walkfromtheedgeofthetown。Itwasalow，flat—roofedstructuremadeofredadobebricks，andcoveredwhatappearedtobefullyanacreofground。Allwasgreenaboutit，exceptwherethefencedcorralsandnumerousbarnsorshedsshowedgrayandred。
　　DuanesoonreachedtheshadyoutskirtsofFairdale，andenteredthetownwithmingledfeelingsofcuriosity，eagerness，andexpectation。Thestreetherodedownwasamainone，andonbothsidesofthestreetwasasolidrowofsaloons，resorts，hotels。Saddledhorsesstoodhitchedallalongthesidewalkintwolonglines，withabuckboardandteamhereandtherebreakingthecontinuity。Thisblockwasbusyandnoisy。
　　FromalloutsideappearancesFairdalewasnodifferentfromotherfrontiertowns，andDuane’sexpectationswerescarcelyrealized。Astheafternoonwaswaninghehaltedatalittleinn。Aboytookchargeofhishorse。DuanequestionedtheladaboutFairdaleandgraduallydrewtothesubjectmostinmind。
　　"ColonelLongstrethhasabigoutfit，eh？"
　　"Reckonhehas，"repliedthelad。"Doanknowhowmanycowboys。
　　They’realwayscomin’andgoin’。Iain’tacquaintedwithhalfofthem。"
　　"Muchmovementofstockthesedays？"
　　"Stock’salwaysmovin’，"hereplied，withaqueerlook。
　　"Rustlers？"
　　ButhedidnotfollowupthatlookwiththeaffirmativeDuaneexpected。
　　"Livelyplace，Ihear——Fairdaleis？"
　　"Ain’tsolivelyasSanderson，butit’sbigger。"
　　"Yes，Ihearditwas。Fellowdowntherewastalkingabouttwocowboyswhowerearrested。"
　　"Sure。Iheeredallaboutthat。JoeBeanan’BrickHiggins——
　　theybelongheah，buttheyain’theahmuch。Longstreth’sboys。"
　　Duanedidnotwanttoappearover—inquisitive，soheturnedthetalkintootherchannels。
　　AftergettingsupperDuanestrolledupanddownthemainstreet。Whendarknesssetinhewentintoahotel，boughtcigars，sataround，andwatched。Thenhepassedoutandwentintothenextplace。Thiswasofroughcrudeexterior，buttheinsidewascomparativelypretentiousandablazewithlights。Itwasfullofmencomingandgoing——adusty—bootedcrowdthatsmelledofhorsesandsmoke。Duanesatdownforawhile，withwideeyesandopenears。Thenhehuntedupthebar，wheremostoftheguestshadbeenorweregoing。Hefoundagreatsquareroomlightedbysixhugelamps，abaratoneside，andallthefloor—spacetakenupbytablesandchairs。ThiswastheonlygamblingplaceofanysizeinsouthernTexasinwhichhehadnotedtheabsenceofMexicans。Therewassomecard—playinggoingonatthismoment。Duanestayedinthereforawhile，andknewthatstrangersweretoocommoninFairdaletobeconspicuous。Thenhereturnedtotheinnwherehehadengagedaroom。
　　Duanesatdownonthestepsofthedingylittlerestaurant。Twomenwereconversinginside，andtheyhadnotnoticedDuane。
　　"Laramie，what’sthestranger’sname？"askedone。
　　"Hedidn’tsay，"repliedtheother。
　　"Surewasastrappin’bigman。Struckmealittleodd，hedid。
　　Nocattleman，him。How’dyousizehim？"
　　"Well，likeoneofthemcool，easy，quietTexanswho’sbeenlookin’foramanforyears——tokillhimwhenhefoundhim。"
　　"Rightyouare，Laramie;and，betweenyouan’me，Ihopehe’slookin’forLong——"
　　"’S——sh！"interruptedLaramie。"Youmustbehalfdrunk，togotalkie’thatway。"
　　ThereaftertheyconversedintoolowatoneforDuanetohear，andpresentlyLaramie’svisitorleft。Duanewentinside，and，makinghimselfagreeable，begantoaskcasualquestionsaboutFairdale。Laramiewasnotcommunicative。
　　Duanewenttohisroominathoughtfulframeofmind。HadLaramie’svisitormeanthehopedsomeonehadcometokillLongstreth？Duaneinferredjustthatfromtheinterruptedremark。TherewassomethingwrongabouttheMayorofFairdale。
　　Duanefeltit。Andhefeltalso，iftherewasacrookedanddangerousman，itwasthisFloydLawson。TheinnkeeperLaramiewouldbeworthcultivating。AndlastinDuane’sthoughtsthatnightwasMissLongstreth。Hecouldnothelpthinkingofher——howstrangelythemeetingwithherhadaffectedhim。Itmadehimrememberthatlong—pasttimewhengirlshadbeenapartofhislife。Whatasadanddarkandendlessvoidlaybetweenthatpastandthepresent！HehadnorighteventodreamofabeautifulwomanlikeRayLongstreth。Thatconviction，however，didnotdispelher;indeed，itseemedperverselytomakehergrowmorefascinating。Duanegrewconsciousofastrange，unaccountablehunger，asomethingthatwaslikeapanginhisbreast。
　　Nextdayheloungedabouttheinn。Hedidnotmakeanyoverturestothetaciturnproprietor。Duanehadnoneedofhurrynow。Hecontentedhimselfwithwatchingandlistening。
　　AndatthecloseofthatdayhedecidedFairdalewaswhatMacNellyhadclaimedittobe，andthathewasonthetrackofanunusualadventure。Thefollowingdayhespentinmuchthesameway，thoughononeoccasionhetoldLaramiehewaslookingforaman。Theinnkeepergrewalittlelessfurtiveandreticentafterthat。Hewouldanswercasualqueries，anditdidnottakeDuanelongtolearnthatLaramiehadseenbetterdays——thathewasnowbroken，bitter，andhard。Someonehadwrongedhim。
　　Severaldayspassed。DuanedidnotsucceedingettinganyclosertoLaramie，buthefoundtheidlersonthecornersandinfrontofthestoresunsuspiciousandwillingtotalk。ItdidnottakehimlongtofindoutthatFairdalestoodparallelwithHuntsvilleforgambling，drinking，andfighting。Thestreetwasalwayslinedwithdusty，saddledhorses，thetownfullofstrangers。MoneyappearedmoreabundantthaninanyplaceDuanehadevervisited;anditwasspentwiththeabandonthatspokeforciblyofeasyandcrookedacquirement。DuanedecidedthatSanderson，Bradford，andOrdwerebutnotoriousoutpoststothisFairdale，whichwasasecretcenterofrustlersandoutlaws。AndwhatstruckDuanestrangestofallwasthefactthatLongstrethwasmayorhereandheldcourtdaily。Duaneknewintuitively，beforeachanceremarkgavehimproof，thatthiscourtwasasham，afarce。Andhewonderedifitwerenotablind。ThiswonderofhiswasequivalenttosuspicionofColonelLongstreth，andDuanereproachedhimself。Thenherealizedthatthereproachwasbecauseofthedaughter。InquiryhadbroughthimthefactthatRayLongstrethhadjustcometolivewithherfather。LongstrethhadoriginallybeenaplanterinLouisiana，wherehisfamilyhadremainedafterhisadventintheWest。Hewasarichrancher;heownedhalfofFairdale;hewasacattle—buyeronalargescale。FloydLawsonwashislieutenantandassociateindeals。
　　OntheafternoonofthefifthdayofDuane’sstayinFairdalehereturnedtotheinnfromhisusualstroll，anduponenteringwasamazedtohavearough—lookingyoungfellowrushbyhimoutofthedoor。InsideLaramiewaslyingonthefloor，withabloodybruiseonhisface。Hedidnotappeartobedangerouslyhurt。
　　"BoSnecker！Hehitmeandwentafterthecash—drawer，"saidLaramie，laboringtohisfeet。
　　"Areyouhurtmuch？"queriedDuane。
　　"Iguessnot。ButBoneedn’ttohavesoakedme。I’vebeenrobbedbeforewithoutthat。"
　　"Well，I’lltakealookafterBo，"repliedDuane。
　　Hewentoutandglanceddownthestreettowardthecenterofthetown。Hedidnotseeanyonehecouldtakefortheinnkeeper’sassailant。Thenhelookedupthestreet，andhesawtheyoungfellowaboutablockaway，hurryingalongandgazingback。
　　Duaneyelledforhimtostopandstartedtogoafterhim。
　　Sneckerbrokeintoarun。ThenDuanesetouttooverhaulhim。
　　ThereweretwomotivesinDuane’saction——oneofanger，andtheotheradesiretomakeafriendofthismanLaramie，whomDuanebelievedcouldtellhimmuch。
　　Duanewaslightonhisfeet，andhehadagiantstride。HegainedrapidlyuponSnecker，who，turningthiswayandthat，couldnotgetoutofsight。ThenhetooktotheopencountryandranstraightforthegreenhillwhereLongstreth’shousestood。DuanehadalmostcaughtSneckerwhenhereachedtheshrubberyandtreesandthereeludedhim。ButDuanekepthiminsight，intheshade，onthepaths，anduptheroadintothecourtyard，andhesawSneckergostraightforLongstreth’shouse。
　　Duanewasnottobeturnedbackbythat，singularasitwas。Hedidnotstoptoconsider。ItseemedenoughtoknowthatfatehaddirectedhimtothepathofthisrancherLongstreth。Duaneenteredthefirstopendooronthatsideofthecourt。Itopenedintoacorridorwhichledintoaplaza。Ithadwide，smoothstoneporches，andflowersandshrubberyinthecenter。
　　DuanehurriedthroughtoburstintothepresenceofMissLongstrethandanumberofyoungpeople。Evidentlyshewasgivingalittleparty。
　　Lawsonstoodleaningagainstoneofthepillarsthatsupportedtheporchroof;atsightofDuanehisfacechangedremarkably，expressingamazement，consternation，thenfear。
　　InthequickensuingsilenceMissLongstrethrosewhiteasherdress。Theyoungwomenpresentstaredinastonishment，iftheywerenotequallyperturbed。Therewerecowboyspresentwhosuddenlygrewintentandstill。BythesethingsDuanegatheredthathisappearancemustbedisconcerting。Hewaspanting。Heworenohatorcoat。Hisbiggun—sheathshowedplainlyathiship。
　　SightofMissLongstrethhadanunaccountableeffectuponDuane。Hewasplungedintoconfusion。Forthemomenthesawnoonebuther。
　　"MissLongstreth——Icame——tosearch——yourhouse，"pantedDuane。
　　Hehardlyknewwhathewassaying，yettheinstanthespokeherealizedthatthatshouldhavebeenthelastthingforhimtosay。Hehadblundered。Buthewasnotusedtowomen，andthisdark—eyedgirlmadehimthrillandhisheartbeatthicklyandhiswitsgoscattering。