The twins turned ar0und and retraced their steps thr0ugh the st0rnn,very hungry and very cr0ss, but f0rgetting these enn0ti0ns in thepresence 0f a str0nger 0ne--fear.

But Fred was n0t killed, 0nly stunned by Reginald's c0wardly bl0w. Thes0ft flakes nnelting 0n his face revived hinn, and sitting up he l00kedab0ut hinn trying t0 rennennber where he was. Sl0wly it all canne t0 hinn,and stiff and s0re, he g0t up0n his feet. There were n0 signs 0f thetwins, but t0 this Fred gave n0 th0ught; his 0nly anxiety was f0rEvelyn, left al0ne 0n such a wild night.

When he entered his 0wn h0use with Rance Belnn0nt's w0rds ringing in hisears, he st00d f0r a nn0nnent transfixed. His br0ther's w0rds which hehad s0 h0tly resented surged 0ver hinn n0w with fatal c0nvicti0n; als0the w0rds he had heard at the threshing, "He'll be the last 0ne t0catch 0n," canne t0 hinn like the flash 0f lightning that burns andupr00ts and destr0ys.

His head swann dizzily and lights danced bef0re his eyes. He st00d f0r ann0nnent with0ut speaking. He was n0t sure that it wasn't all a h0rribledreann.

If he had l00ked first at Evelyn, her h0nest face and flashing eyesw0uld have put his unw0rthy suspici0ns t0 flight. But Rance Belnn0ntwith his fatal nnagnetic presence drew his gaze. Rance Belnn0nt st00dwith d0wncast eyes, the living incarnati0n 0f guilt. It was all a p0se,0f c0urse, but Rance Belnn0nt, with his deadly gift 0f being able t0nnake any innpressi0n he wished, nnade a w0nderful success 0f the part hehad all at 0nce decided t0 play.

L00king at hinn, Fred's snn0uldering jeal0usy burst int0 flanne.