"He's in trouble ... again?" she breathed.
He nodded assent. "The boy's out in the pasture. He wants you to send him breakfast."
The dread that was always lying banked in the hearts of herself and her mother found voice. "What has he done now?"
The range-rider chose his words carefully. "There was some trouble—just across the border. He had to shoot ... and a man fell."
Her face mirrored terror. "You mean ... dead?"
"I don't know," he answered gravely.
"Tell me all about it, please,—the circumstances, everything."
"He will tell you himself. I'll just say this—the shooting was forced on him. He fired in self-defense."
She wrung her hands. "I knew ... I knew something dreadful would happen. Mr. Harrison promised me—he said he would look out for Phil."
Steve looked her straight in the eyes. "Harrison's a crook. He's been using your love for Phil as a lever. It's up to you and the boy to shake him off."