“I thought Gulden was your enemy.”

Kells sat down on one of the box seats, and his heavy gun-sheath rested upon the floor.  He looked at Joan now, forgetting she was a woman and his prisoner.

“I never thought of that till now,” he said.  “We always got along because I understood him.  I managed him.  The man hasn’t changed in the least.  He’s always what he is.  But there’s a difference.  I noticed that first over in Lost Canon.  And Joan, I believe it’s because Gulden saw you.”

“Oh, no!” cried Joan, trembling.

“Maybe I’m wrong.  Anyway something’s wrong.  Gulden never had a friend or a partner.  I don’t misunderstand his position regarding Bailey.  What did he care for that soak?  Gulden’s cross-grained.  He opposes anything or anybody.  He’s got a twist in his mind that makes him dangerous. ...  I wanted to get rid of him.  I decided to—­after last night.  But now it seems that’s no easy job.”

“Why?” asked Joan, curiously.

“Pearce and Wood and Beard, all men I rely on, said it won’t do.  They hint Gulden is strong with my gang here, and all through the border.  I was wild.  I don’t believe it.  But as I’m not sure—­what can I do? ...  They’re all afraid of Gulden.  That’s it. ...  And I believe I am, too.”

“You!” exclaimed Joan.

Kells actually looked ashamed.  “I believe I am, Joan,” he replied.  “That Gulden is not a man.  I never was afraid of a real man.  He’s—­ he’s an animal.”

“He made me think of a gorrilla,” said Joan.

“There’s only one man I know who’s not afraid of Gulden.  He’s a new-comer here on the border.  Jim Cleve he calls himself.  A youngster I can’t figure!  But he’d slap the devil himself in the face.  Cleve won’t last long out here.  Yet you can never tell.  Men like him, who laugh at death, sometimes avert it for long.  I was that way once. ...  Cleve heard me talking to Pearce about Gulden.  And he said, ’Kells, I’ll pick a fight with this Gulden and drive him out of the camp or kill him.’”

“What did you say?” queried Joan, trying to steady her voice as she averted her eyes.

“I said ‘Jim, that wins me.  But I don’t want you killed.’ ...  It certainly was nervy of the youngster.  Said it just the same as—­as he’d offer to cinch my saddle.  Gulden can whip a roomful of men.  He’s done it.  And as for a killer—­I’ve heard of no man with his record.”

“And that’s why you fear him?”

“It’s not,” replied Kells, passionately, as if his manhood had been affronted.  “It’s because he’s Gulden.  There’s something uncanny about him. ...  Gulden’s a cannibal!”

Joan looked as if she had not heard aright.