inquiringly.
She smiled at him as she pulled off her sunbonnet and dust coat,
revealing a robe of pink calico not unlike an old fashioned "mother
hubbard."

"I am a disciple of the Yogis, Mr. Moore. I dreamed that my husband was
to be found in such a camp as this and here I am."

"I suppose you're referring to Otto von Minden. Yes, he was here
yesterday. He's a genial soul. He tried to shoot me."

Mrs. von Minden nodded. "That's Otto. He had those ways. I've not seen
him for five years. No bacon, Mr. Moore. I never touch animal fats. Just
some tea, fruit and crackers. Later, I'll unpack some olive oil which
you may use when cooking for me."

Roger nearly dropped the tea kettle. His mouth fell open as he stared at
his caller.

"Don't be startled, my friend," she cried. "Great things are to come to
you if you obey the Voices. And I've brought my own tent and supplies."

"But your husband isn't here, madam," protested Roger. "To tell you the
truth, I wouldn't have him about the place. He's just plain crazy."

"Oh, no, he's not crazy. He's had a touch of the sun, undoubtedly. But
he's not crazy. He's a brilliant man. I can make him very useful to
you."

Roger scratched his head and grinned. "You haven't by any chance had a
touch of the sun yourself, Mrs. von Minden?"

The lady laughed. "I must seem so to an outsider. You are still on the
first plane while I am on the seventh."

"I'll water the burros while the kettle boils," said Roger hastily. He
provided plentifully for the poor brutes, at the same time gazing
desperately toward the ranch house. He felt badly in need of advice.

As if in answer to his need he saw a tiny figure come down the trail
from the corral. It was Felicia, evidently coming to the Sun Plant.
Roger slipped into the living tent and wrote a hasty note to Charley,
apprizing her of events and begging her to come to his aid. By the time
he had established Mrs. von Minden at her luncheon, Felicia reached the
camp. But before his visitor caught sight of her, he had sent the child
back with the note. He felt immeasurably relieved when this was
accomplished.

"Now, madam," he said, "perhaps you would not mind resting here in the
cook tent while I finish covering in the well. It is dangerous to leave
it open with all the people that run about the desert in this
neighborhood."

Madam graciously gave her assent and Roger fell to work briskly,
laughing now and again to himself in a half vexed way