He waited an instant and then accepted the silence as an affirmative.

“Funny thing about that, too.  The place where he come to was Buck Daniels’ house.  Well, Buck was one of Jim Silent’s men, and they say Buck had tried to plug Dan before that.  But Dan let him go that time, and when Buck seen Dan ride in all covered with blood he remembered that favour and he kept Dan safe from Jim Silent and safe from the law until Dan was well.  I seen Buck this morning over to Rafferty’s place, and——­”

Here the marshal noted a singular look in the eyes of Kate Cumberland, a look so singular that he turned in his chair to follow it.  He saw Dan Barry in the act of closing the door behind him, and Marshal Calkins turned a deep and violent red, varied instantly by a blotchy yellow which in turn faded to something as near white as his tan permitted.

“Dan Barry!” gasped the marshal, rising, and he reached automatically towards his hip before he remembered that he had laid his belt and guns aside before he entered the dining-room, as etiquette is in the mountain-desert.  For it is held that shooting at the table disturbs the appetite.

“Good evenin’,” said Dan quietly.  “Was it Buck Daniels that you seen at Rafferty’s place, Marshal Calkins?”

“Him,” nodded the marshal, hoarsely.  “Yep, Buck Daniels.”

And then he sank into his chair, silent for the first time.  His eyes followed Barry as though hypnotized.

“I’m kind of glad to know where I can find him,” said Barry, and took his place at the table.

The silence continued for a while, with all eyes focused on the new-comer.  It was the doctor who had to speak first.

“You’ve talked things over with Mr. Cumberland?” he asked.

“We had a long talk,” nodded Dan.  “You was wrong about him, doc.  He thinks he can do without me.”

“What?” cried Kate.

“He thinks he can do without me,” said Dan Barry.  “We talked it all over.”

The silence fell again.  Kate Cumberland was staring blankly down at her plate, seeing nothing; and Doctor Byrne looked straight before him and felt the pulse drumming in his throat.  His chance, then, was to come.  By this time the marshal had recovered his breath.

He said to Dan:  “Seems like you been away some time, Dan.  Where you been hangin’ out?”

“I been ridin’ about,” answered Dan vaguely.

“Well,” chuckled the marshal, “I’m glad they ain’t no more Jim Silents about these parts—­not while you’re here and while I’m here.  You kept things kind of busy for Glasgow, Dan.”

He turned to Kate, who had pushed back her chair.

“What’s the matter, Kate?” he boomed.  “You ain’t lookin’ any too tip-top.  Sick?”

“I may be back in a moment,” said the girl, “but don’t delay supper for me.”

She went out of the room with a step poised well enough, but the moment the door closed behind her she fairly staggered to the nearest chair and sank into it, her head fallen back, her eyes dim, and all the strength gone from her body and her will.  Several minutes passed before she roused herself, and then it was to drag herself slowly up the stairs to the door of her father’s room.  She opened it without knocking, and then closed it and stood with her back against it, in the shadow.