"So I guessed."
Then, after a few moments of silence, Gordon recounted the story of the events of the afternoon right up to Mallinsbee's arrival at the office.
The rancher listened without comment, but with obvious impatience. This was not what he wanted to hear first. But Gordon had his own way of doing things.
"You see, I took a big chance on the spur of the moment," he finished up. "I just didn't dare to think. The idea took right hold of me. And even now, when I tell it you in cold blood, I seem to feel it was one of those inspirations that don't need to be passed by. In the ordinary way I believe it would succeed. Slosson would have been driven into our plans. But—but now there's worse to come."
"So I guessed."
Mallinsbee's answer was sharp and dry.
"And it's the most important of your talk," he added a moment later. "What happened—out there?"
Gordon's eyes took on a far-away expression as he gazed out of the window.
"I nearly killed David Slosson," he said simply. Then he added, "I knew I'd have to do it before I'd finished."
His gaze came back to Mallinsbee's face. A fierce anger had made his blue eyes stern and cold. Then he told the rancher of his finding Hazel struggling furiously in the man's arms, and of her piteous cry for help, and all that followed.