imple," said Gardiner, after a pause. "Jim will
hurry back to the ranch, saddle his horse, and follow us. By the way,
I didn't tell him I borrowed his revolver. That may delay him some.
But he should arrive at the shack in time to be taking a few stealthy
observations just about the moment the Harrises are hunting for their
money bag. I hope Allan doesn't use that shot-gun on him. A shot-gun
makes an awful hole in a man, Riles."

Riles experienced an uncanny feeling up his spine.

"Well," continued Gardiner, "I promised to lay the whole plan before
you, when we were safe on the road with no possibility of any strange
ears cocked for what a man might happen to say...Look at that sunset,
Riles; isn't that magnificent!"

"Good enough, I suppose," said Riles, "but I hope we didn't come out
here to see the sunset. How about this plan of yours?"

"Riles," admonished Gardiner, "you've no more soul than a toadstool.
You haven't any imagination. I wonder you have faith enough to wind
your watch. Now if you could paint a picture like that it would make
you more money than you ever saw--including what you're going to see
to-night.

"But to get down to the scheme. It's all easy sailing now. The big
thing was to get them on the road with the coin. That's what I needed
you for, Riles. And you didn't do too bad. I had to prod you along a
bit, but you'll thank me for it when it's all over."

"Yes, but it's them that's got it, not us," commented Riles.

"Sure, but it'll be different in the mornin'. Riles, you are a gloomy
devil. Here you have ten thousand dollars right in your mit and
you're as happy as a man with a boil. Now this is how it will work
out, to a T. The two Harrises will get up to the shanty about dark.
They'll pitch camp there and begin to wonder when we'll be along.
Well, we won't be along until it's good and dark, even if we have to
kill time on the road. If Travers catches up on us we'll just let him
make one of the party, which will be sort of embarrassing for Jim.
But he won't catch up. Well, when it's good and dark--there'll be no
moon till after midnight--and they're both sleepy with their long
drive in the high altitude, we will arrive near by. You will go up to
the door and take a look on the quiet. I will go up to the window and
do the same. There's no glass in the window, and there's no door on
either, as I remember. We'll size up things inside, particularly the
location of the coin. Then you show yours