It was not Merle, the rancher, but Belle Demona, who stood in the sheep shed.
The burning match in her hand told her purpose.
She had come to fire the sheds and to burn her—Stareyes—out.
Madness and intense jealousy blazed in the ranch queen's eyes, and for a moment she looked around upon the interior of the little shed as she held the blazing match aloft.
"This will scorch the sleeping viper," Stareyes heard her hiss. "A match and a little hay will avenge me."
Belle Demona threw some of the hay upon the floor, and then struck another match.
Gloating over her demon work, she withdrew toward the door and looked back.
In another second she had thrown the second match upon the hay, and it caught immediately.
"That's it! She will burn now, and Stareyes will no longer prove the curse of my life."
Larger and larger grew the flame, and Belle Demona turned away.