"When you take what belongs to others you run a risk,
don't you?"
"That's part of the rules. Except for that I shouldn't like it so
well. I hunt big game, and the bigger the game the more risk.
That's why y'u guessed right when y'u said I was enjoying the
mo'ning."
"Meaning--your cousin?"
"Well, no. I wasn't thinking of him, though he's some sizable.
But I'm hunting bigger game than he is, and I expect to bag it."
She let her scornful eyes drift slowly over him. "I might pretend
to misunderstand you. But I won't. You may have your answer now.
I am not afraid of you, for since you are a bully you must be a
coward. I saw a rattlesnake last week in the hills. It reminded
me of some one I have seen. I'll leave you to guess who."
Her answer drew blood. The black tide raced under the swarthy tan
of his face. He leaned forward till his beady eyes were close to
her defiant ones. "Y'u have forgotten one thing, Miss Messiter. A
rattlesnake can sting. I ask nothing of you. Can't I break your
heart without your loving me? You're only a woman--and not the
first I have broken, by God--"
His slim, lithe body was leaning forward so that it cut off
others, and left them to all intents alone.
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