"A little bluff on my part."
"Anybody hurt?"
"No."
She was much relieved. "I was afraid they'd got you. I came as quick as I
could. I was abed. That fool doctor threw a chill into me, and I've been
going to roost early according to orders. I didn't hear your gun, but Lee
did, and she came to tell me. They're hell-roaring down the street yet.
Don't let 'em get behind you. If I was any good I'd stay and help. Where's
Mike?" She addressed the tender at the bar.
"I don't know. Gone home, I guess."
"Sneaked, has he?"
"So far as I know the only law-upholding citizen in the place, barring
yourself, is Sifton," said Ross, indicating the Englishman, who stood as
if cold, pressing his hands together to hide their trembling.
Lize perceived the irony of this. "Two Britishers and two women! Well, by
God, this is a fine old town! What you going to do--hold your men here all
night?"
"I don't see any other way. Halsey turned the place over to me--but--" He
looked about him suspiciously.
"Bring 'em into my place. Lee has had new locks put on our doors; they'll
help some."
"I don't like to do that, Mrs. Wetherford," he replied, with greater
respect than he had ever shown her before. "They may attack me there."
"All the better; I'll be on hand to help--but they're less likely to boil
in on you through a locked door."
"But your daughter? It will alarm her."
"She'll be in the other house, and, besides, she'd feel easier if you are
in my place. She's all wrought up by the attack on you."