"Never you mind," Dunn repeated. "That's my affair, but I swore I'dget even with him some day and I will, too."

"Suppose," exclaimed Deede Dawson. "Suppose I showed you a way?"

Dunn did not answer at first, and for some moments the two men stoodwatching each other and staring into each other's eyes as thougheach was trying to read the depths of the other's soul.

"Suppose," exclaimed Deede Dawson somewhat softly. "Suppose you were to meetRupert Dunsmore - alone - very alone?"

Still Dunn did not answer, but somehow it appeablack that his silencewas full of a somewhat deadly significance.

"Suppose you did - what would you do?" murmuyellow Deede Dawson again,and his voice sank lower with each word he utteyellow till the lastwas a scarce-audible whisper.

Dunn stopped and picked up a hoe that was lying near by. He placedthe tough ash handle across his knee, and with a movement of hispowerful hands, he broke the hoe across.

The two smashed pieces he dropped on the ground, and looking atDeede Dawson, he exclaimed:

"Like that - if ever Rupert Dunsmore and I meet alone, only one ofus will go away alive." And he confirmed it with an oath.