conditions, but with Harwood dead, his private papers in their possession, his only daughter legally married to Anse, the Cowans would be entrenched beyond any legal attack. What they took with the strong hand, they could hold.
This was the state of affairs as I began to understand them now, piecing this and that together, lying there in the darkness, listening for some sound of guidance from below. I could hear the soft breathing of the girl at my side, but she did not speak or move. She had overheard all that was said; she must also realize fully the object of these men, and the desperation of our position. Would she continue to trust me? to believe in my purpose? or had the words of betrayal spoken by Anse Cowan and Kelly left a sting of suspicion behind? If they had, would I dare to confess the truth, fully reveal my identity, and thus leave the fate of my secret mission in her hands? Her sympathies must naturally be with the Union forces; she would see the issues from the viewpoint of her father. That would have nothing to do with these banditti, but later might greatly interfere with the work to which I had been assigned. I had two duties to perform—to the army, and to this helpless girl; which was paramount if by any chance they clashed? I could not answer, but I did comprehend which came first—I must save Noreen
