“The law will take care of that. If you want to please me call off your men before it is too late.”
It was his cue to please her, for so far as it was in him the man loved her. He had set his strong will to trample on his past, to rise to a place where no man could shake his security with proof of his former misdeeds. He meant to marry her and to place her out of reach of those evil days of his. Only Struve was left of the old gang, and he knew the Wolf well enough to be sure that the fellow would delight in blackmailing him. The convict's mouth must be closed. But just now he must promise t she wanted, and he did.
The promise was still on his lips when a third person strode into their conversation.
“Sorry I had to leave you so hastily, Miss Kinney. I'm ready to take you to the hotel now if it suits you.”
Both of them turned quickly, to see the man from the Panhandle sauntering forth from the darkness. There was a slight smile on his face, which did not abate when he nodded to Dunke amiably.
“You?” exclaimed the mine-owner angrily.
“Why, yes—me. Hope we didn't inconvenience you, seh, by postponing the coyote's journey to Kingdom Come. My friend had to take a hand because he is a ranger, and I sat in to oblige him. No hard feelings, I hope.”
“Did you—Are you all safe?” Margaret asked.
“Yes, ma'am. Got away slick and clean.”
“Where?” barked Dunke.