hair blowing out ahead. There will be plenty
of wind after awhile, I'm thinking. Get word to the men in camp, will
you, to make all the tents tight."

At sundown the haze in the west had thickened somewhat. The air,
however, remained warm, almost oppressive, and the sharp cold that
usually fell at night was wanting. The Ventisquero Peaks were hidden
by a mass of cloud. At seven o'clock the night crew began work, as
ordinarily; no wind was stirring and the steam that came from the
horses' nostrils was light.

"I'm taking a little time to skip down to Sarita Creek and see if
those girls are still there. If they took a notion to stick, they'd
try to do it, whether McDonnell sent after them or not. But I'll pry
them out. If the storm breaks in a hurry, get the men and teams into
camp at once. Don't take any chances, Pat." Thus spoke Bryant.

"Aye, I've seen blizzards before," was the reply.

Lee sped rapidly toward Sarita Creek, with the headlights of his car
casting their glow before him upon the dark road. The silence of the
night was broken only by the steady humming of his engine. The mesa
seemed very hushed, unstirring, unnatural.

When he reached the girls' cabins, he saw that the windows of each
were lighted. The girls were there. What incredible folly! Then his
lamps brought into view an automobile. He breathed relief. Someone had
come for them. Alighting he walked forward and knocked on Ruth's door.
When it was opened by Ruth, he discovered Gretzinger seated within.

"Oh, it's you, is it? Well, come in," Ruth said.

She wore a pink party gown, with her throat and smooth, round arms
showing through some filmy stuff that was part of the creation. Bryant
had never seen her so dressed; she looked very youthful and charming,
almost beautiful.

"There's a party at Kennard to-night," said she, before Lee could open
his mouth to make an explanation of his presence, "and Mr.
Gretzinger's taking me. He just came. Sorry you chose to-night to
call, Lee. And we're starting immediately." She reached forth and gave
Lee a pat on the cheek, at the same time smiling.

Bryant continued stony under the touch, under the smile, under the
false affection. He gazed at her and detected beneath her apparent
good spirits and loveliness a suppressed excitement. His glance went
to Gretzinger; the man was observing them with a restless, frowning
face. On the instant the truth flashed into Bryant's brain. She was
cunningly playing him