ope from the rear end of the ridge of the
house to the base of a conveniently-located pine tree; then they
secured the second rope to the other end of the ridge-pole and anchored
it to a big boulder. Meanwhile Helen opened some cans and made coffee
on the newly-adjusted stove and they sat on the grass by the spring and
made their evening meal. After which Barstow and Evans went down to
their wagon and returned to Desert Valley. And James Edward Longstreet
and his daughter sat alone upon their camp-stools in front of their new
abode and looked off across the valley and into the distances.

The day departed slowly, lingeringly. The soft night came little by
little, a misty veil floating into a hollow yonder, a star shining, the
breeze strengthening and cooling. Before the twilight was gone and
while one might look for miles across the billowing landscapes, they
saw a horseman riding down in the valley; he appeared hardly more than
a vague moving dot. And yet----

'It's Mr. Howard!' cried Helen.

Longstreet withdrew his straining eyes and turned them wonderingly upon
his daughter.

'How in the world do you know?' he asked.

Helen smiled, a quiet smile of transcendent wisdom.

'Oh, I just knew he'd come over.' she said.

Chapter X

A Warning and a Sign

John Carr made a special trip back to Desert Valley ranch for a word
with Howard. He rode hard and there was a look of anxiety in his eyes
when he came upon his friend smoking thoughtfully in the big
living-room of the ranch-house. It was late evening and a week after
the departure of Howard's guests.

Howard dragged his boot heels down from the table top when he saw who
it was and jumped to his feet his hand outstretched.

'Hello, John old boy,' he cried warmly. What's the good wind blowing
you over this way already?'

Carr tossed his hat to the table, drew up a chair for himself and took
a cigar before he answered. Then it was quietly and earnestly.

'Met up with Jim Courtot the other night, I hear?' he began.

Howard nodded and waited, his look curious.

'Well,' went on Carr, 'I wish you hadn't. He's a treacherous beast if
this man's land ever cradled one. He's looking for you, Al.'

'He knows where to find me,' said Alan shortly. And then, 'Just what's
worrying you, Johnnie?'

'I've known Jim for seventeen or eighteen years,' rejoined Carr. 'He's
a cold, hard, calculating and absolutely crooked proposition. During
that time I'