They could hear his rapid footfalls descending the stairs, and John Mark was thoughtful indeed.

He was watching Ruth Tolliver, as she stared down at her hand.

When she raised her head and met the glance of the leader she flushed slowly to the roots of her hair.
"Yes," muttered John Mark, still thoughtfully and half to himself, "there's really true steel in him.

He's done more against me in one half hour than any other dozen men in ten years.".