Sight of Miss Longstreth had an unaccountable effect upon Duane. He was plunged into confusion. For the moment he saw no one but her.
“Miss Longstreth--I came--to search--your house,” panted Duane.
He hardly knew what he was saying, yet the instant he spoke he realized that that should have been the last thing for him to say. He had blundered. But he was not used to women, and this dark-eyed girl made him thrill and his heart beat thickly and his wits go scattering.
“Search my house!” exclaimed Miss Longstreth; and red succeeded the white in her cheeks. She appeared astonished and angry. “What for? Why, how dare you! This is unwarrantable!”
“A man--Bo Snecker--assaulted and robbed Jim Laramie,” replied Duane, hurriedly. “I chased Snecker here--saw him run into the house.”
“Here? Oh, sir, you must be mistaken. We have seen no one. In the absence of my father I'm mistress here. I'll not permit you to search.”
Lawson appeared to come out of his astonishment. He stepped forward.
“Ray, don't be bothered now,” he said, to his cousin. “This fellow's making a bluff. I'll settle him. See here, Mister, you clear out!”
“I want Snecker. He's here, and I'm going to get him,” replied Duane, quietly.
“Bah! That's all a bluff,” sneered Lawson. “I'm on to your game. You just wanted an excuse to break in here--to see my cousin again. When you saw the company you invented that excuse. Now, be off, or it'll be the worse for you.”
Duane felt his face burn with a tide of hot blood. Almost he felt that he was guilty of such motive. Had he not been unable to put this Ray Longstreth out of his mind? There seemed to be scorn in her eyes now. And somehow that checked his embarrassment.
“Miss Longstreth, will you let me search the house?” he asked.
“Then--I regret to say--I'll do so without your permission.”
“You'll not dare!” she flashed. She stood erect, her bosom swelling.
“Miss Longstreth, I don't need warrants to search houses,” said Duane. “I'm sorry to annoy you. I'd prefer to have your permission. A ruffian has taken refuge here--in your father's house. He's hidden somewhere. May I look for him?”
Duane produced his papers. Miss Longstreth haughtily refused to look at them.
“Miss Longstreth, I've come to make Fairdale a safer, cleaner, better place for women and children. I don't wonder at your resentment. But to doubt me--insult me. Some day you may be sorry.”