He had never been any closer to Shirley than this rancher's home.

Doubtless some post-office burglary, some gun-shooting scrape had been attributed to him.

And he had been accused of worse deeds.

Abruptly Duane decided to ride over there and find out who wanted him dead or alive, and why.
As he started south on the road he reflected that this was the first time he had ever deliberately hunted trouble.

Introspection awarded him this knowledge; during that last terrible flight on the lower Nueces and while he lay abed recuperating he had changed.