one of the deputies clinched the matter. French drew his
revolver and advanced into the centre of the little group.

"Say, you fellows," he exclaimed, "you've got to stop this! Those men came
here on a legitimate errand and it's your duty to respect them."

Long Jim strolled up to the Inspector.

"Maybe you're right, Mr. French," he remarked, "but--"

With a swoop of his long arm he snatched French's gun away, examined it
for a moment, looked at French and shook his head.

"You're too fat, Inspector," he declared sorrowfully, "still too fat.
That's what's the matter with you. Another ten minutes' exercise will do
you all the good in the world."

A bullet struck the dust a few inches from French's feet. Furious with
rage, he found himself once more forced to resort to undignified antics.
This time, however, Laura intervened. She walked straight up into the
little circle and stood close to French's side, regardless of the levelled
guns.

"Look here, Long Jim, or whatever your name is," she protested, "you just
call your crowd off and stop this. Undo those two deputies. A joke's a
joke, but this has gone far enough. If you don't untie them, I will. Take
your choice and get a move on."

Long Jim scratched his chin for a moment.

"Waal," he said, "I guess that what the lady says goes. We ain't often
favoured with ladies' society, boys, and I guess when we are we'd better
do as we are told. Turn 'em loose, boys."

They abandoned the sport a little reluctantly. Suddenly they all paused to
listen. The sound of a horse's slow footfall was heard close at hand.
Presently Quest appeared out of the shadows, carrying Lenora in his arms.
Laura rushed forward.

"Lenora!" she cried. "Is she hurt?"

Quest laid her tenderly upon the ground.

"We had a spill at the bridge," he explained quickly. "I don't know
whether Craig loosened the supports. He got over all right, but it went
down under Lenora, who was following, and I had to get her out of the
river. Where's the Professor?"

The Professor came ambling down from the tent where he had been lying. He
stooped at once over Lenora's still unconscious form.

"Dear me!" he exclaimed. "Dear me! Come, come!"

He passed his hand over her side and made a brief examination.

"Four ribs broken," he pronounced. "It will be a week, at any rate, before
we are able to move her. Nothing more serious, so far as I can see, Mr.
Quest, but she'll need rest and all the comfort we can give