of lust and obscenity. There was this
difference between him and Shorty. The squat cowpuncher was a clean
scoundrel. A child, a straight girl, an honest woman, would be as safe
with him as with simple-hearted old Buck Byington. But Dug Doble--it
was impossible to predict what he would do. He had a vein of caution in
his make-up, but when in drink he jettisoned this and grew ugly. His
vanity--always a large factor in determining his actions--might carry
him in the direction of decency or the reverse.

"I'm glad Keith's with her," said Hart, who had joined the group. "With
Keith and the Mexican there--" His meaning did not need a completed
sentence.

"Question is, where did he take her," said Crawford. "We might comb the
hills a week and not find his hole. I wish to God Shorty was still here.
He might know."

"He's our best bet, Bob," agreed Dave. "Find him. He's gone off somewhere
to sleep. Rode away less than half an hour since."

"Which way?"

"Rode toward Bear Canon," said Crawford.

"That's a lead for you, Bob. Figure it out. He's done--completely worn
out. So he won't go far--not more than three-four miles. He'll be in the
hills, under cover somewhere, for he won't forget that thousand dollars
reward. So he'll be lying in the chaparral. That means he'll be above
where the fire started. If I was looking for him, I'd say somewhere back
of Bear, Cattle, or San Jacinto would be the likeliest spot."

"Good guess, Dave. Somewheres close to water," said Bob. "You goin' along
with me?"

"No. Take as many men as you can get. I'm going back, if I can, to find
the place where Otero and Miss Joyce left the road. Mr. Crawford, you'd
better get back to town, don't you think? There may be clues there we
don't know anything about here. Perhaps Miss Joyce may have got back."

"If not, I'll gather a posse to rake the hills, Dave. If that villain's
hurt my li'l' girl or Keith--" Crawford's whisper broke. He turned away
to conceal the working of his face.

"He hasn't," said Bob with decision. "Dug ain't crazy even if his actions
look like it. I've a notion when Mr. Crawford gets back to town Miss
Joyce will be there all right. Like as not Dug brought her back himself.
Maybe he sent for her just to brag awhile. You know Dug."

That was the worst of it, so far as any allaying of their fear went. They
did know Doble. They knew him for a thorough black-hearted scoundrel who
might stop at nothing.

The three men moved toward