CHAPTER 6
But while he had been working at a distance, things had been going on
apace at the ranch, a progress which had now gathered such impetus that
he found himself incapable of checking it. The blow fell immediately
after dinner that same evening. Terence excused himself early to retire
to the mysteries of a new pump-g*n. Elizabeth and Vance took their coffee
into the library.
The night had turned cool, with a sharp wind driving the chill through
every c***k; so a few sticks were sending their flames crumbling against
the big back log. The lamp glowing in the corner was the only other
light, and when they drew their chairs close to the hearth, great tongues
of shadows leaped and fell on the wall behind them. Vance looked at his
sister with concern. There was a certain comp
