And all that time Black Bart had lain with closed eyes.

But at the critical instant always there was the silent writhing up of the lips and the gleam of hate--or the terrible snarl while the eyes fastened on her throat.

Her heart had stopped in mid-beat; and that day she ran back into the house and threw herself on her bed, and would not come from her room till the following morning.
Now, as she watched from the shadow of the house, with the basin of antiseptic under her arm, the gambler's desperation rose stronger and stronger.

She came out, at length, and walked steadily towards Black Bart.

She had grown almost heedless of fear at this moment, but when she was within a pace, once more the head reared back; the teeth flashed.
And the heart of Kate Cumberland, as always, stopped.