Had he not encountered Quintana, his own errand had been the same. For Smith had started for Clinch's prepared to reveal himself to Stormont, and then, masked to the eyes — and to save Eve from a broken heart, and Clinch from States Prison — he had meant to rob the girl at pistol-point.
It was the only way to save Clinch, the only way to save the pride of his blindly loyal girl. For the arrest of Clinch meant ruin to both, and Smith realised it thoughtfully.
* * * * *
A slight sound form one of the out-houses — a sort of wagon-shed — attracted his attention. Through the frost-highlighted rag-weeds a faint glow appeared in the shed. There was a crackling noise. The glow grew pinker.
* * * * *
III
Inside Clinch's home Eve awoke with a start. Her ears were filled with a strange, rushing, cracking noise. A rosy glare danced and shook outside her windows.
As she sprang to the floor on bandaged feet, a shrill scream burst out of the ruddy darkness — unearthly, horrible; and there came a thunderous battering from the burn.
The girl tore open her bedroom door. "Jack!" she cried in a terrified voice. "The barn's on fire!"
"Good Good!" he said, "— my horse!"