Page:The Baron of Diamond Tail (1923).pdf/282

 "Time will reveal many things that none of us understand," Barrett replied.

"Alma! I'm asking only a little favor of you now. Let them go!"

"No!" said Alma, her face aflame in the thought of the shame this broken coward had brought so near her but a few moments past.

"Send me to jail if you think you've got to, Alma," Findlay said, turning from Barrett as if he scorned him too greatly to spare him even a word of defiance. "And I'll send Hal Nearing to hell on a hangman's rope!"

"Damn you! You'll never speak!" said Nearing, his weakness gone from him as he turned to snatch the pistol from Alma.

"Not here!" she cried, as she struggled against him to retain the weapon.

They were near the window. Before either Barrett or Manuel could reach them, Alma tossed the gun through the broken pane.

"Not here!" she said again, panting and white. "We've been spared blood in this house by almost a miracle tonight. Let it—let it—" she panted, "remain clean, one spot without that curse!"

"Who sounds on the door?" asked Teresa, shrinking in the fear of some new violence.

Whoever it was that made such a loud summons on the front door did not wait to be admitted. They heard the door open as Manuel, drawing both his guns, started to inquire.

Cattle Kate rushed into the room, her head bare, her