"Are you ready to marry me? Are you ready to keep the oath you swore to stand by me?" Her dark eyes burn into his heart. She is calm, but intense in her demand.
"Tell me the truth or I'll choke it out of you," he hisses, grasping her rudely.
His rashness breaks the last bond between them. A shriek from the struggling woman echoes through the room.
The door flies open.
Hardin is hurled to the wall, reeling blindly.
The energetic voice of Joe Woods breaks the silence. "You are a mean dog, but, by God, I did not think you'd strangle a woman."
Hardin has struggled to his feet. In his hand, flashes a pistol.
Joe Woods smiles.
"Trying the old El Dorado dodge, Judge, won't work. Sit down now. Listen to me. Put up that shooting iron, or I'll nail you to the wall."
His bowie knife presses a keen point to Hardin's breast. It is checkmate.