mean?"

"What does he intend to do with us?"

She looked at me straight, eye to eye.

"In the morning he will kill you--unless you can contrive something."

"Cheering thought."

"There is no sense in not facing situations squarely. If there is a way
out, that is the only method by which it may be found."

"True," I agreed, my admiration growing. "And yourself; will he kill
you, too?"

"He will not. He does not dare!" she cried, proudly, with a flash of
the eyes.

I was not so sure of that, but there was no object in saying so.

"Why has he tied you in that chair, then, along with the condemned?" I
asked.

"You will understand better if I tell you who I am."

"You are his deceased partner's daughter; and everybody thinks you are
in Europe," I stated.

"How in the world did you know that? But no matter; it is true. I
embarked three months ago on the Limited for New York intending, as you
say, to go on a long trip to Europe. My father and I had been alone in
the world. We were very fond of each other. I took no companion, nor did
I intend to. I felt quite independent and able to take care of myself.
At the last moment Mr. Hooper boarded the train. That was quite
unexpected. He was on his way to the ranch. He persuaded me to stop over
for a few days to decide some matters. You know, since my father's death
I am half owner."

"Whole owner," I murmured.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. Go ahead. Sure you don't mind my smoking?" I lit one of the
tailor-mades and settled back. Even my inexperienced youth recognized
the necessity of relief this long-continued stubborn repression must
feel. My companion had as yet told me nothing I did not already know or
guess; but I knew it would do her good to talk, and I might learn
something valuable.

"We came out to the ranch, and talked matters over quite normally; but
when it came time for my departure, I was not permitted to leave. For
some unexplained reason I was a prisoner, confined absolutely to the
four walls of this enclosure. I was guarded night and day; and I soon
found I was to be permitted conversation with two men only, Mexicans
named Ramon and Andreas."

"They are his right and left hand," I commented.

"So I found. You may imagine I did not submit to this until I found I
had to. Then I made up my mind that the only possible thing to do was to
acquiesce, to observe, and to wait my chance."

"You were right enough there. Why do you figure he did this