She replied indignantly, her lips trembling. "He is not a gambler; he is a miner, over in the Black Range. He has not touched a card in two years."
"Oh, reformed has he? And are you the instrument that has worked such a miracle?"
Her eyes fell. "I don't know, but I hope so." Then she glanced up again, wondering at his continued silence. "Don't you understand yet?"
"Only that you are secretly meeting a man of the worst reputation, one known the length and breadth of this border as a gambler and fighter."
"Yes; but—but don't you know who I am?"
He smiled grimly, wondering what possible difference that could make. "Certainly; you are Miss Naida Herndon."
"I? You have not known? Lieutenant Brant, I am Naida Gillis."
He stopped still, again facing her. "Naida Gillis? Do you mean old Gillis's girl? Is it possible you are the same we rescued on the prairie two years ago?"
She bowed her head. "Yes; do you understand now why I trust this Bob Hampton?"
"I perhaps might comprehend why you should feel grateful to him, but not why you should thus consent to meet with him clandestinely."