"But if it took all I'd love to do it, Steve. Shall I have a desk in the office?" she asked eagerly.
"If you agree to accept a salary."
"But I don't want to be paid for helping."
He turned his horse's head toward the slope.
"That settles it. I shall send to the agency to-morrow for a private secretary." As she did not answer he looked at her with a smile which lighted eyes and lips. "Now will you be good?"
She regarded him with oblique scrutiny. With an adorable imitation of Pete Gerrish she drawled:
"You're sure puttin' it straight, Chief. You win. Now shall we mosey 'long home?" With a touch of spurs she wheeled Patches and headed him down the slope.
"Why is Ranlett leaving?" she asked as their horses trotted side by side along the hard white ranch road. Courtlandt's face reddened darkly.
"Because I thought it time to determine the status of the alien on Double O ranch. Ranlett had a couple of men in the outfit who have not taken out first naturalization papers, even, who had been pointing out to my boys deficiencies of the government. They're flares set here to ignite any chaff of discontent which may be blowing about."
"But you're not against freedom of speech, Steve?"