hey do not mean to burn the
building while Mrs. Whitney and her daughter are within?"

"As was said some time ago," replied Hawkridge, "that makes little
difference, since it is not to be supposed that even we will stay
inside during the conflagration. The firing is meant to drive us out,
and it will do it."

"But there must be considerable shooting, and the ladies will be in
danger."

"I think Inman will order us to send them out, so as to prevent harm
to them."

"If they were Sioux or Crows they might launch burning arrows and
fire-balls; but they can't do that, and will have to run some risk in
getting the flames under way."

"There are signs of a storm, and if the night proves dark it will be
much in their favor and against us."

"Suppose they fire the stables," suggested one of the men.

"They are too far off to place us in danger, unless a strong wind
should blow directly this way."

"Well, boys," said Capt. Asbury, hopefully, "the thing isn't through
yet. I think Inman will give us another message before opening the
ball, so you may rest easy until he makes his next move."

Meanwhile Hawkridge had managed to deliver the little twist of paper,
placed in his hand by Vesey. Inasmuch as the matter had been managed
with so much care, he deemed it right that no one should see the
transfer to his friend.

Sterry was surprised and glanced down at the object, but, quick to
catch on, closed his palm again and took part in the conversation. It
was some minutes before he gained a chance to examine the contents
unobserved. When he did so, they proved so important that he called
Hawkridge and the captain aside and showed the letter to them. Each
read it in turn, the contents being as follows:

"FRIEND STERRY: You acted square with me, and I will do the same
with you. Inman doesn't expect you folks to accept his terms, for
if you do it will be good-by to yourself and Capt. Asbury. It
would suit me very well to see him go, as he will if we get a
chance at him, but I can't bear the idea of anything bad happening
to you after the way you stood by me last night when that Asbury
meant to shoot me.

"So my advice is this: Get out of where you are and leave as fast
as you know how. Queer advice, you'll think, but I'll show you how
you can follow it. A friend of mine, whom we can both trust, and
I, will be on watch to-night at the stables. It looks as if it is
going to be