Peggy turned her head away and rested her chin on her hand. After a space of time she shook her head.
“That isn’t a fair question,” she said softly.
“No, but yuh gave me a fair answer,” said Hashknife. “I’d like to shake hands with yuh, Miss Wheeler.”
Wonderingly she shook hands with him, and he smiled down at her, his gray eyes twinkling.
“But I—I didn’t answer you,” she said, choking slightly.
“Oh, yes yuh did, Peggy. I’m goin’ to call yuh Peggy. If yuh can love him in spite of everythin’ he’s done, by golly, he’s worth savin’ for yuh.”
“Worth saving?” Peggy got to her feet. “I don’t understand. How can you save him?”
“I dunno exactly,” Hashknife scratched his head, tilting his sombrero over one eye. “But there ain’t nothin’ that can’t be done.”
“But what could save him? Why, they’re hunting for him now—offering a big reward.”
The tears came into her eyes and she turned away. Hashknife patted her on the shoulder.