"It's the law, Kate—the law of the range. You know that."
"Law! Piecrust! If I told you that Rudd had saved my life at the risk of his own would you let him go?"
"An' he took money for that?" Disgust was rampant in Loudon's tone.
"The taking part is neither here nor there. Remains the fact of his saving my life—at the risk of his own, remember. Now will you let him go? Oh, it's no use asking him," she added, quickly, as Loudon half turned. "He'd probably deny it."
"Oh, what's the use, Kate?" exclaimed Loudon, impatiently. "If Rudd had stolen my hoss or done somethin' special to me I'd let him go to oblige yuh, but it's Scotty has the say. His hosses was stole. An' I'm workin' for Scotty. Can't yuh see how it is?"
"I see that you intend to deny my request," Kate said, her black eyes fixed unwaveringly on Loudon's gray ones.
"I've got to."
"Very well. But suppose we have Rudd come here a moment. I'd like you to hear what he has to say. Oh, I'll make him talk."
"But——"
"Good heavens! You're not going to refuse me this little favour, are you? Rudd's a prisoner. He can't get away. Call him over, and afterward if you intend to hold him there's nothing to prevent you."