Gordon's eyes lit apprehensively.
"I wouldn't do that," he said almost sharply.
Mallinsbee faced about.
"Why not? Hazel's a bright girl. She's as wise as any two men. A crook don't worry her a thing."
"I guess all that's right enough. But—she's a girl, and—I don't seem to feel it's fair to her."
Mallinsbee remained silent for some moments. Gordon watched the broad back of the great, lolling figure in the doorway with an alarm he would not have displayed had he been facing him. Then the sound of clattering hoofs outside broke up the silence and the old man turned.
"Here she is," he cried, with a shadowy smile. "Guess she can speak for herself."
Gordon could have cursed the luck that had brought the girl there at that moment. He understood the depth of her devotion to her father and his enterprise. Nothing could have been less opportune.
But, in a moment, his annoyance became lost in his delight at the sound of her cheery greeting.
"Hello, Daddy," he heard her call out.