Without evasion, her gaze met his. “I understood him to say he was an officer in the Texas Rangers. You know why he is here.”
“You're right, I do. But do you?”
“Well, what is it you mean? Out with it, Jed,” she demanded impatiently.
“He is here to get a man wanted in Texas, a man hiding in this valley right now.”
“I don't believe it,” she returned quickly. “And if he is, that's not your business or mine. It's his duty, isn't it?”
“I ain't discussing that. You know the law of the valley, Arlie.”
“I don't accept that as binding, Jed. Lots of people here don't. Because Lost Valley used to be a nest of miscreants, it needn't always be. I don't see what right we've got to set ourselves above the law.”
“This valley has always stood by hunted men when they reached it. That's our custom, and I mean to stick to it.”
“Very well. I hold you to that,” she answered quickly. “This man Fraser is a hunted man. He's hunted because of what he did for me and dad. I claim the protection of the valley for him.”
“He can have it—if he's what he says he is. But why ain't he been square with us? Why didn't he tell who he was?”