himself, and
he spent many miserable hours during those last few days. Once he had
said to Joe, "If I could only see her for a few minutes it might be
some measure of comfort to us both." But Joe had shaken his gray head.
"It ain't no use," he said. "You can't take no chances foolin' wi'
Anton around. 'Sides, things might be wuss," he finished up, with a
considerable emphasis.

And so Tresler had to be content; ill at ease, chafing, but quite
powerless. In truth the rancher had outwitted him with a vengeance;
moreover, what he had said he soon showed that he meant, for Joe
brought him the news, two days before the date fixed for departure,
that Diane was making her preparations, and had even begun to pack up.

And all this time Jake was very cheerful. The men on the ranch never
remembered an easier time than the foreman was giving them now. He
interfered very little with the work, and, except at the morning
muster, they hardly saw anything of him. Tresler he never came near.
He seemed to have forgotten that he had ever discussed Anton with him.
It may have been that that discussion had only been inspired on the
impulse of the moment, or it may have been--and Tresler thought this
far more likely--he had deeper plans. However, the man, in face of
Diane's departure, was unusually cheerful, and the wise old Joe
quickly observed the fact.

For Joe to observe anything of interest was the cue for him to inquire
further, and thus he set himself to watch Jake. And his watching
quickly resulted in Tresler's attention being called to Jake's
movements at night. Joe found that night after night Jake left the
ranch, always on foot, but he left it for hours at a time. Twice
during the last week he did not return until daylight. All this was
more than interesting, but nothing developed to satisfy their
curiosity until the last day of Diane's stay on the ranch. Then Jake
visited her, and, taking her out of the kitchen, had a long
confabulation with her in the open. Joe watched them, but, much to his
disgust, had no means of learning the man's object. However, there was
only one thing for him to do, and he did it without delay: he hurried
down to convey his news to Tresler, who was having supper at the
bunkhouse.

Taking him on one side he imparted his tidings hurriedly. And in
conclusion spoke with evident alarm.

"Ther's suthin' doin'," he said, in, for him, quite a condition of
excitement. "I can't locate it nohow. But Jake, h