“I don’t want anything on my breath,” he said, “because I have to talk to a woman.  Where’s Kate?”

The men glanced at each other uneasily.

“She’s here, all right,” said Silent hastily.  “Now tell us how you got away.”

“Afterwards,” said Haines.  “But first Kate.”

“What’s your hurry to see her?” said Kilduff.

Haines laughed exultantly.

“You’re jealous, Bill!  Why, man, she sent for me!  Sent Whistling Dan himself for me.”

“Maybe she did,” said Kilduff, “but that ain’t no partic’lar sign I’m jealous.  Tell us about the row in Elkhead.”

“That’s it,” said Jordan.  “We can’t wait, Lee.”

“Just one word explains it,” said Haines.  “Barry!”

“What did he do?” This from every throat at once.

“Broke into the jail with all Elkhead at his heels flashing their six-guns—­knocked down the two guards—­unlocked my bracelets (God knows where he got the key!)—­shoved me onto the bay—­drove away with me—­shot down two men while his wolf pulled down a third—­made my horse jump a set of bars as high as my head—­and here I am!”

There was a general loosening of bandanas.  The eyes of Jim Silent gleamed.

“And all Elkhead knows that he’s the man who took you out of jail?” he asked eagerly.

“Right.  He’s put his mark on them,” responded Haines, “but the girl, Jim!”

“By God!” said Silent.  “I’ve got him!  The whole world is agin him—­the law an’ the outlaws.  He’s done for!”

He stopped short.

“Unless you’re feelin’ uncommon grateful to him for what he done for you, Lee?”

“He told me he hated me like hell,” said Haines.  “I’m grateful to him as I’d be to a mountain lion that happened to do me a good turn.  Now for Kate!”

“Let him see her,” said Silent.  “That’s the quickest way.  Call her out, Haines.  We’ll take a little walk while you’re with her.”

The moment they were gone Haines rushed to the door and knocked loudly.  It was opened at once and Kate stood before him.  She winced at sight of him.

“It’s I, Kate!” he cried joyously.  “I’ve come back from the dead.”

She stepped from the room and closed the door behind her.

“What of Dan?  Tell me!  Was—­was he hurt?”

“Dan?” he repeated with an impatient smile.  “No, he isn’t hurt.  He pulled me through—­got me out of jail and safe into the country.  He had to drop two or three of the boys to do it.”

Her head fell back a little and in the dim light, for the first time, he saw her face with some degree of clearness, and started at its pallor.

“What’s the matter, Kate—­dear?” he said anxiously.

“What of Dan?” she asked faintly.

“I don’t know.  He’s outlawed.  He’s done for.  The whole range will be against him.  But why are you so worried about him, Kate?—­when he told me that you loved me—­”