Why did Bob Hampton refuse to let his ward fall in love with Lieutenant Brant? Why did he have to live in the underworld, and to be known by an assumed name? Why does he make a living by gambling and a reputation by quickness with a revolver? And why, in spite of all this, do the reader's sympathy and admiration go to him at once, and stay with him to the end? Because he is the hero we all like, brave, sure quiet, well-bred, and because we fell that somehow he must be all right, and his punishment undeserved.