Between the trees twinkled lights of cottage candles, and far down flared bright windows of the village stores.  When Venters got closer to these he saw knots of men standing together in earnest conversation.  The usual lounging on the corners and benches and steps was not in evidence.  Keeping in the shadow Venters went closer and closer until he could hear voices.  But he could not distinguish what was said.  He recognized many Mormons, and looked hard for Tull and his men, but looked in vain.  Venters concluded that the rustlers had not passed along the village street.  No doubt these earnest men were discussing Lassiter’s coming.  But Venters felt positive that Tull’s intention toward himself that day had not been and would not be revealed.

So Venters, seeing there was little for him to learn, began retracing his steps.  The church was dark, Bishop Dyer’s home next to it was also dark, and likewise Tull’s cottage.  Upon almost any night at this hour there would be lights here, and Venters marked the unusual omission.

As he was about to pass out of the street to skirt the grove, he once more slunk down at the sound of trotting horses.  Presently he descried two mounted men riding toward him.  He hugged the shadow of a tree.  Again the starlight, brighter now, aided him, and he made out Tull’s stalwart figure, and beside him the short, froglike shape of the rider Jerry.  They were silent, and they rode on to disappear.

Venters went his way with busy, gloomy mind, revolving events of the day, trying to reckon those brooding in the night.  His thoughts overwhelmed him.  Up in that dark grove dwelt a woman who had been his friend.  And he skulked about her home, gripping a gun stealthily as an Indian, a man without place or people or purpose.  Above her hovered the shadow of grim, hidden, secret power.  No queen could have given more royally out of a bounteous store than Jane Withersteen gave her people, and likewise to those unfortunates whom her people hated.  She asked only the divine right of all women—­freedom; to love and to live as her heart willed.  And yet prayer and her hope were vain.

“For years I’ve seen a storm clouding over her and the village of Cottonwoods,” muttered Venters, as he strode on.  “Soon it’ll burst.  I don’t like the prospects.”  That night the villagers whispered in the street—­and night-riding rustlers muffled horses—­and Tull was at work in secret—­and out there in the sage hid a man who meant something terrible—­Lassiter!

Venters passed the black cottonwoods, and, entering the sage, climbed the gradual slope.  He kept his direction in line with a western star.  From time to time he stopped to listen and heard only the usual familiar bark of coyote and sweep of wind and rustle of sage.  Presently a low jumble of rocks loomed up darkly somewhat to his right, and, turning that way, he whistled softly.  Out of the rocks glided a dog that leaped and whined about