nch the
more money it is costing him while the company is idle."

It was proved, however, that the picture producer had a good reason for
wishing to get out of Dakota Joe's neighborhood. When the four girls in
the taxicab rolled up to the gate of the railroad yard and got out with
their bags, Dakota Joe himself popped out of hiding. With him a
broad-hatted man in a blue suit.

"Hey!" ejaculated the showman, standing directly in Ruth's path. "I got
you now where I want you. That Hammond man won't help me, and I told him
the trouble I'm in jest because he got that Injun gal away from me. I
see her! That's the gal--"

"What do you want of me, Mr. Fenbrook?" demanded Ruth, bravely, and
gesturing Wonota to remain behind her. "I have no idea why you should
hound me in this way."

"I ain't houndin' you."

"I should like to know what you call it then!" the girl of the Red Mill
demanded indignantly.

She was quick to grasp the chance of engaging Fenbrook in an argument
that would enable Wonota and the two other girls to slip out of the
other door of the taxicab and reach the yard gate. She flashed a look
over her shoulder that Helen Cameron understood. She and Jennie and
Wonota alighted from the other side of the cab.

"I got an officer here," stammered Dakota Joe. "He's a marshal. That
Injun gal's got to be taken before the United States District Court.
She's got to show cause why she shouldn't come back to my show and fill
out the time of her contract."

"She finished her contract with you, and you know it, Fenbrook,"
declared Ruth, turning to pay the driver of the cab.

"I say she didn't!" cried Dakota Joe. "Officer! You serve that
warrant--Hey! where's that Wonota gone to?"

The Indian girl and Ruth's friends had disappeared. Dakota Joe lunged
for the gate. But since the beginning of the war this particular
railroad yard had been closed to the public. A man stood at the gate who
barred the entrance of the showman.

"You don't come in here, brother," said the railroad man. "Not unless
you've got a pass or a permit."

"Hey!" shouted Dakota Joe, calling the marshal. "Show this guy your
warrant."

"Don't show me nothin'," rejoined the railroad employee. He let Ruth
slip through and whispered: "Your party's aboard your car. There's a
switcher coupled on. She'll scoot you all down the yard to the main
line. Get aboard."

Ruth slipped through the gate, while the guard stood in a position to
prevent the two men f