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 turned to the girl. “You think you tricked me. Remember what this means when I go. The pretty little story of this cabin given to the world.” He waited for her answer but it did not come and he turned back to Moran. “A fine case you’ll have. She lied to me—married me to get a few proofs that won’t matter in the end; she left me—walked to the door with her arm around the preacher, damn him, and ran. She came out here to live with you. What do you think the courts will have in store for a pair like you!”

“We’ll take a chance,” said Moran. A load seemed lifted from his heart. She had tricked Nash; by his own admission she had beat him at his own game, whatever that game had been; she had been forced to marry him to gain her purpose, then fled instantly and defeated his. “Nash, there are no courts within a hundred miles,” he said. “Some day, in our good time, we’ll come out and see what those courts have to say. In the meantime if you try just once to enforce your ideas of man-made laws in here I’ll enforce the law of the hills on you. I hope that’s plain; at least it’s final. You can start now.” He strode to the door and stood beside it waiting for Nash to pass. He started to speak but Moran held up