“Any of your men down here?” queried Duane, sharply.
“No. They're up-town.”
“Come. MacNelly, you walk with him. We've ladies in the party. I'll come behind with them.”
They set off up-town. Longstreth walked as if he were with friends on the way to dinner. The girls were mute. MacNelly walked like a man in a trance. There was not a word spoken in four blocks.
Presently Duane espied a stone building on a corner of the broad street. There was a big sign, “Rancher's Bank.”
“There's the hotel,” said MacNelly. “Some of my men are there. We've scattered around.”
They crossed the street, went through office and lobby, and then Duane asked MacNelly to take them to a private room. Without a word the Captain complied. When they were all inside Duane closed the door, and, drawing a deep breath as if of relief, he faced them calmly.
“Miss Longstreth, you and Miss Ruth try to make yourselves comfortable now,” he said. “And don't be distressed.” Then he turned to his captain. “MacNelly, this girl is the daughter of the man I've brought to you, and this one is his niece.”
Then Duane briefly related Longstreth's story, and, though he did not spare the rustler chief, he was generous.
“When I went after Longstreth,” concluded Duane, “it was either to kill him or offer him freedom on conditions. So I chose the latter for his daughter's sake. He has already disposed of all his property. I believe he'll live up to the conditions. He's to leave Texas never to return. The name Cheseldine has been a mystery, and now it'll fade.”