Where the rolling levels came up to the confines of the town they rode out far enough to be safe from eavesdroppers, halted and faced each other.
“Miss Last,” said Kenset gently, “I’m a stranger to you. I have little or no influence with you, but I beg you to listen to me. You say there is no help for the conditions existing in Lost Valley. That outrage follows outrage. True. I grant the thing is appalling. But there is redress. 192 There is a law above the sheriff, when it can be proven that that officer has refused to do his duty. That law is invested in the coroner. Your coroner can arrest your sheriff. He can investigate a murder––he can issue a warrant and serve it anywhere in the State. He can subpoena witnesses. Did you know that?”
Tharon shook her head.
“Nor you?” he asked Conford.
“I knew somethin’ like that––but what’s th’ use? Banner’s a brave man, but he’s got a family. An’ he’s been only one against th’ whole push. What could he do when there wasn’t another man in th’ Valley dared to stand behind him? You saw what happened to Pete. He struck up Courtrey’s arm when he shot at Tharon one night last spring. Th’ same thing’d happen to Banner if he tried to pull off anythin’ like that.”
A light flamed up in Kenset’s eyes.
“If you, Miss Last,” he said straightly, “will give me your word to do no shooting, something like that will be pulled off here, and shortly.”
He looked directly at Tharon, and for the first time in her life she felt the strength of a gaze she couldn’t meet––not fully.
But Tharon shook her head.
“I’m sworn,” she said simply.