Page:Cy Warman--The express messenger and other tales of the rail.djvu/45

Rh "They've been reinforced," said the dark man. "But you're all right—I can square you in two minutes—and, as I've got to cash in anyway, it makes no difference. Look out—there's a woman," he said excitedly, as the Warden's daughter emerged from the canon and galloped toward them.

"Hello, gal!" said the dark man.

"Where is he?" she called.

"Here! here!" cried the messenger from behind the rocks, and a moment later she was bending over him. For a brief moment she suffered him to hold her to his breast, and then, pushing him away, she looked him full in the face, and asked in a tone that almost froze his blood, "Are you guilty or innocent? Tell me quickly." But the messenger appeared to be utterly unable to answer or even to comprehend her meaning.

She stood up and glanced toward the cañon.

"He's all right, gal—you've made no mistake," said the stranger.

"He saved my life," said the messenger, pointing to his companion. "Why don't you thank him?"