"What's the matter, Kate—dear?" he said anxiously.
"What of Dan?" she asked faintly.
"I don't know. He's outlawed. He's done for. The whole range will be against him. But why are you so worried about him, Kate?—when he told me that you loved me—"
She straightened.
"Love? You?"
His face lengthened almost ludicrously.
"But why—Dan came for me—he said you sent him—he—" he broke down, stammering, utterly confused.
"This is why I sent him!" she answered, and throwing open the door gestured to him to enter.
He followed her and saw the lean figure of old Joe Cumberland lying on a blanket close to the wall.
"That's why!" she whispered.