"I have seen to that." Diane shrugged her shoulders to make light of what she had done, but Tresler would not be put off.
"Bless you for that," he said, with simple earnestness. "I knew I was right." Then he reverted abruptly to her question. "But we can do something; the sheriff has come to Forks."
"Yes, I know." Diane's tone suddenly became eager, almost hopeful. "And father knows, and he is going to send in a letter to Fyles--Sheriff Fyles is the great prairie detective, and is in charge of Forks--welcoming him, and inviting him out here. He is going to tell him all he knows of these rustlers, and so endeavor to set him on their track. Father laughs at the idea of the sheriff catching these men. He says that they--the rustlers--are no ordinary gang, but clever men, and well organized. But he thinks that if he gets Fyles around it will save his property."
"And your father is wise. Yes, it will certainly have that effect; but I, too, have a little idea that I have been working at, and--Miss Marbolt, forgive the seeming impertinence, but I want to discuss Jake again; this time from a personal point of view. You dislike Jake; more, you have shown me that you fear him."
The girl hesitated before replying. This man's almost brusque manner of driving straight to his point was somewhat alarming. He gave her no loophole. If she discussed the matter with him at all it must be fully, or she must refuse to answer him.
"I suppose I do fear him," she said at last with a sigh. Then her face suddenly lit up with an angry glow. "I fear him as any girl would fear the man who, in defiance of her expressed hatred, thrusts his attentions upon her. I fear him because of father's blindness. I fear him because he hopes in his secret heart some day to own this ranch, these lands, all these splendid cattle, our fortune. Father will be gone then. How? I don't know. And I--I shall be Jake's slave. These are the reasons why I fear Jake, Mr. Tresler, since you insist on knowing."
"I thank you, Miss Marbolt." The gentle tone at once dispelled the girl's resentment. "You have suspicions which may prove to be right. It was for this reason I asked you to discuss Jake. One thing more and I'll have done. This Joe Nelson, he is very shrewd, he is in close contact with you. How far is he to be trusted?"