Because of what he did then, you'll say he did not love her. But he did, heart and soul and body, he loved her. Yet he put her resolutely from him and held her off at the full stretch of his arms. "There's more to this than you've told me," said he shrewdly. "You're scared. You're scared bad, but it isn't only the thought of the gang that scares you. There's something else. What is it?"
At first she would not tell him. He argued with her.
Finally she surrendered. "If you marry me and stay here, you'll be killed."
He threw back his head and laughed. "Is that all that's worrying you? We'll be married to-morrow, like I said."
"No, we won't—unless you take me away at once. No, don't kiss me. I mean it."
"Who told you I'd be killed?"
"I won't tell you."
"Tell me, and I'll make him come here and take back everything he said."
But the recollection of what Rafe Tuckleton and his outfit had almost succeeded in doing to John Dawson was too fresh in her mind. She did not dare tell Billy who had told her. She knew right well that if she did it would simply mean that her lover would be killed the sooner. The odds against him were great enough as it was.
She shook her head. Her eyes were bright with pure terror. "I can't tell you!" she whispered in agony of spirit. "I can't!"