Hampton took one hasty step forward. "What do you mean?" he exclaimed,
fiercely, his eyes two coals of fire.
Brant felt that the other's display of irritation gave him an
unexpected advantage.
"Nothing that need awaken anger, I am sure. Something caused me to
harbor the suspicion, and I naturally supposed you would know about it.
Indeed, I wondered if some such knowledge might not account for your
very deep interest in keeping her so entirely to yourself."
Hampton's fingers twitched in a nervousness altogether unusual to the
man, yet when he spoke his voice was like steel. "Your suspicions are
highly interesting, and your cowardly insinuations base. However, if,
as I suppose, your purpose is to provoke a quarrel, you will find me
quite ready to accommodate you."
An instant they stood thus, eye to eye. Suddenly Brant's memory veered
to the girl whose name would be smirched by any blow struck between
them, and he forced back the hasty retort burning upon his lips.
"You may be, Mr. Hampton," he said, standing like a statue, his back to
the door, "but I am not. As you say, fighting is my trade, yet I have
never sought a personal quarrel. Nor is there any cause here, as my
only purpose in asking the question was to forewarn you, and her
through you, that such a suggestion had been openly made in my hearing.
I presume it was a lie, and wished to be able to brand it so."
"By whom?"
"A fellow known as Silent Murphy, a government scout."
"I have heard of him. Where is he?"
"He claimed to be here waiting orders from Custer. He had camp up the
Creek two days ago, but is keeping well out of sight for some reason.
Telegrams have been received for him at the office but another man has
called for them."
"Who?"
"Red Slavin."
"The cur!" said Hampton. "I reckon there is a bad half-hour waiting
for those two fellows. What was it that Murphy said?"
"That he knew the girl's real name."
"Was that all?"
"Yes; I tried to discover his meaning, but the fellow became suspicious
and shut up like a clam. Is there anything in it?"
Hampton ignored the question. "Lieutenant Brant," he said, "I am glad
we have had this talk together, and exceedingly sorry that my duty has
compelled me to say what I have said. Some time, however, you will
sincerely thank me for it, and rejoice that you escaped so easily. I
knew your father once, and I should like now to part on friendly
relations with his son."