But as soon as the cook had left the room she turned to the outlaw. “What shall I do? What shall I do?”
Little whimsical imps of mischief shone in his eyes. “Have him in and introduce him to your husband, my dear.”
“You must go—quick. If I don’t get rid of him, you’ll be able to slip out the back way and get to the depot. He doesn’t know you are here.”
MacQueen sat back and gave her his easy, reckless smile. “Guess again. Bellamy can’t drive me out.”
She caught her hands together. “Oh, go—go! There will be trouble. You wouldn’t kill him before my very eyes!”
“Not unless he makes the first play. It’s up to him.” He laughed with the very delight of it. 343 “I’d as lief settle my account with him right now. He’s meddled too much in my affairs.”
She broke out in a cry of distress: “You wouldn’t! I’ve treated you fair. I could have betrayed you, and I didn’t. Aren’t you going to play square with me?”
He nodded. “All right. Show him in. He won’t know me except as Lieutenant O’Connor. It was too dark last night to see my face.”
Bellamy came into the room.
“How’s Jack?” Melissy asked quickly as she caught his hand.