"
"Stand guard? What fer? Nobody's goin' to steal the house."
"We should not forget that these same rascals may take it into their
heads to double on their tracks and try to carry Miss Gray away again.
With her in their possession they'll receive their pay; without her
their work will have been for nothing. It is a desperate crowd, and they
may think the plan at least worth trying."
Rosalie's grateful, beaming glance sent a quiver that was not of pain
through Bonner's frame.
"Don't worry about that," said the marshal. "We'll have 'em shot to
pieces inside of an hour an' a half."
"Anderson, I want you to be very careful with that horse pistol," said
his wife nervously. "It ain't been shot off sence the war, an' like as
not it'll kill you from behind."
"Gosh blast it, Eva!" roared Anderson, "don't you suppose I know which
end to shoot with?" And away he rushed in great dudgeon.
Edna Crow sat at the front window, keeping watch for hours. She reported
to the other members of the household as each scurrying band of
searchers passed the place. Bonner commanded Rosalie to keep away from
the windows, fearing a shot from the outside. From time to time Roscoe
replenished the big blaze in the fireplace. It was cosey in the
old-fashioned sitting-room, even though the strain upon its occupants
was trying in the extreme.
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