his had caused him some wonder. Therefore, one day while out on a
distant pasture, rounding up a small bunch of yearlings, he was in no
way surprised to see the farmer-like figure of the sheriff appear over
the brow of a rising ground, and canter his raw-boned horse down
toward him.

And that meeting was in the nature of an eye-opener to Tresler. He
learned something of the machinery that was at work; of the system of
espionage that was going on over the whole district, and the subtle
means of its employment. He learned, amongst other things, something
of what Jake was doing. How he was in constant touch with a number of
half-breeds of the most disreputable type, and that his doings were of
the most underground nature. He also learned that his own personal
efforts in conveying warning before Willow Bluff were more than
appreciated, and, finally, that Fyles wanted him to further act in
concert with him.

Acceding to the officer's request he was then informed of certain
other things for his future guidance. And when the man had gone,
disappearing again over the rising ground, in the same ghostly fashion
that he had appeared, he looked after him, and, in reviewing all he
had heard, marveled how little he had been told, but what a lot had
been suggested, and how devilish smart that farmer-like man, in spite
of his recent failures, really was.

And during those days Tresler heard very little from Diane; which
little came from Joe Nelson. Now and again she sent him a
grief-stricken note alluding to her departure. She told him, although
Joe had done so already, that her father had brought Anton into the
house for the express purpose of preventing any communication with
him, Tresler, and to generally keep sentry over her. She told him much
that made his heart bleed for her, and made him spend hours at night
writing pages of cheering messages to her. There was no help for it.
He was powerless to do more than try to console her, and he frequently
found himself doubting if the course he had selected was the right
one; if he were not aggravating her position by remaining on the
ranch. His reason told him that it was surely best. If she had to go
away, she would, at least, be free of Jake, and, no matter what
condition the people to whom she was to be sent, no worse associations
than the combination of the blind man and his mate could possibly be
found for her anywhere.

It was a poor sort of consolation with which he bolstered