She tore it open and glanced swiftly through
it.
DEAR FRIEND: Two hours ago my cousin was killed by one of his own
men. I am sending back to you a boy who had been led astray by
him, and it would be a great service to me if you would give him
something to do till I return. His name is Hugh Rogers. I think
if you trust him he will prove worthy of it.
Jim and I are going to stay here a few days longer to finish the
work that is begun. We hope to meet and talk with as many of the
men implicated in my cousin's lawlessness as is possible. What
the result will be I cannot say. We do not consider ourselves in
any danger whatever, though we are not taking chances. If all
goes well we shall be back within a few days.
I hope you are not missing Jim too much at the roundup.
Sincerely,
NED BANNISTER
She liked the letter because there was not a hint of the
relationship between them to be read in it. He had guarded her
against the chance of its falling into the wrong hands and
creating talk about them.
She turned to Hughie. "Can you ride?"
"In a way, ma'am. I can't ride like these men." His glance
indicated a cow-puncher pounding past after a wild steer that had
broken through the cordon of riders and was trying to get away.
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