rdeal of a passage through the Devil's Playground to Citrus Grove. He
crossed the open space of Flower Prairie while a cloudlet hid the moon.
In the uncertain light a course through the jungle was not to be
thought of. He looked up, and, encouraged by the gathering clouds,
slipped through his fence onto the sand prairie and ran northward.

If he could reach unobserved the timber at the southern end of the
Devil's Playground he felt he would be safe. As he ran he prayed for
the clouds to hold together until he reached the dark wood. His prayer
was answered. He made out a trail running into the timber and plunged
into the darkness. The darkness lasted but a little while, however.
Roger heard the whinny of horses on the trail ahead. The clouds
suddenly parted and the moonlight seemed to light the forest like day.
He was in an open space in the forest, and Garman and Mrs. Livingstone
and Annette were sitting their horses facing him a few paces away.

"I figured it almost to the minute!" said Garman. "Almost to the
minute I figured when you were due to start through the Devil's
Playground, Payne."

He laughed shortly at the young man's amazement. "Didn't know I knew
about that, eh, Payne? Well, I didn't until you bought that land from
the Cypress Company. Then I knew you'd found a new way out and I had
it looked up. No go now, Payne; the Devil's Playground is closed for
traffic."

Annette was sitting straight and firm in her saddle. She turned on
Garman with no fear or faltering in her attitude.

"Is this what you brought me out here for?" she asked, so sharply that
Mrs. Livingstone cried out protestingly:

"My dear!"

Garman lowered his head ominously and the taunting smile on his lips
turned to a threat as he returned her look. Even by the faint
moonlight the sudden leap of anger and the desire to hurt were apparent
in his countenance. He controlled himself.

"Yes, dear," he purred dangerously, "it is."

Annette met his gaze fearlessly. "Is there to be any more of the
exhibition?"

"Not unless you irritate me, dear. Don't ride away. Gaze upon Payne's
young, star-eyed face, my dear. Look upon it well; let it soak into
your soul's memory, as it is now. It is your last chance. Next time
you see him his face will not be the face of star-eyed youth at all!
Preserve the memory, Annette!"

"Have you quite done?" she said.

"I? Certainly, my dear." Garman was nettled at her self-mastery.
"Mrs