enough on my mind now." He shook his head as though to rid it of
fancies which hung around it. The boy was certainly not of a morbid
type, and it was the most natural thing in the world for him to be a
bit uneasy, considering his situation. Yet he would not even admit to
himself that he was anything but wholly composed.

"Wonder how Bud is making out?" he thought. "Perhaps I'd better sneak
over and see. But no, there's no sense in that." Thus did he dismiss
the craving for company. "Besides, I've got my job cut out for me
here."

He looked more intently at the house, seeking to concentrate his
attention on the everyday affairs of life. Smuggling. The reward if
they caught Delton. What they could do with it. A new herd of cows.
The Kid's bronc--whether he would see it again. How Delton timed the
arrival at the Shooting Star ranch just when the smuggling car got
there. The getaway. How it did rain!

Still, in spite of himself, that uneasy feeling was stealing over the
boy. Surely there was no one around but Bud, away over on the other
side. Of course it was night, but there was plenty of moonlight, and
there was not much chance of Delton's men prowling about. Perhaps it
was because there were trees back of him that Dick felt restless.
Might be better to move more out in the open.

The boy arose, then suddenly froze into stillness. That peculiar
feeling that there was someone behind him became stronger.

It seemed as though a pair of eyes were boring into his back. He
listened intently. Suddenly he heard a voice.

"Hey, Dick!"

The boy turned swiftly, hand on his every nerve a quiver!

"It's me, Dick! Billee Dobb!"

What a relief! The boy now recognized the old rancher's voice, and the
next moment Billee appeared, walking as noiselessly as possible.

"What on earth are you doing here, Billee?"

"I decided to come back. Didn't want to miss all the fun."

"Yes, but you weren't supposed to, were you?"

"I told Hawkins, an' he said go ahead. So here I am."

"So I see." Dick could now afford to laugh at his foolish fears. "But
let me tell you, you gave me a thrill for a moment. Now that you're
here, what are you going to do?"

"Watch with you. That's what I came back for."

"Nice of you to do it, Billee. What time is it, do you know?"

"'Bout two. Lots of time yet."

The rancher was observing the activity within the old house. Nothing
could be seen but the passing and re-pas