I will merely
outline the details I wish to impress on you. Some years ago this Red
Mask appeared from no one knows where. Curiously enough his appearance
was in the vicinity of this ranch. We were robbed, and he vanished.
Some time later he was seen again, much the same as you saw him last
night. One of our boys gave the warning to Jake. Two days later the
poor fellow who informed upon him was found shot on the trail into
Forks. Later, again, another hand witnessed a somewhat similar scene
and gave information. His end was by drowning in a shallow part of the
river. Folks attributed his end to drink, but----Again Red Mask
showed up--always at night--again he was seen, and Jake was warned.
The victim this time met his death by the falling of a rock in the
foot-hills. The rock killed horse and rider. And so it has gone on at
varying intervals. Eight men have been similarly treated. The ninth,
Arizona, barely escaped with his life a little while ago. I've no
doubt but that some accident will happen to him yet. And, mark this,
in each case the warning has gone first to Jake. I may be altogether
wrong; certainly other folks do not look upon the death of these
various men with suspicion, but I have watched, and reasoned out all I
have seen. And----"

"Why, Jake must----"

"Hush!"

Diane gazed round her apprehensively.

"No, no, Mr. Tresler," she went on hurriedly, "I do not say that; I
dare not think of it. Jake has been with us so long; he cares for
father's interest as for his own. In spite of his terrible nature he
is father's--friend."

"And the man who intends to marry you," Tresler added to himself.
Aloud he asked, "Then how do you account for it?"

"That's just it. I--I don't account for it. I only warn you not to
take your story to Jake."

Tresler drew a step nearer, and stood so close to her that her
dungaree skirt was almost touching him. He looked up in a manner that
compelled her gaze.

"You do account for it, Miss Marbolt," he said emphatically.

Nor did the girl attempt denial. Just for a moment there was a
breathless silence. Then Bessie pawed the ground, and thrust her nose
into the face of Tresler's horse in friendly, caressing fashion; and
the movement broke the spell.

"Urge me no further, Mr. Tresler," Diane exclaimed appealingly. "Do
not make me say something I have no right to say; something I might
have cause to regret all my life. Believe me, I hardly know what to
believe, and what not