izona was wonderful.
I sometimes think one gets the most praise in this world for what
least deserves it.

I waited half an hour to be safe, and then released No. 3, just
as we were called to luncheon; and this time I didn't refuse the
invitation to eat mine in 218.

We didn't hurry over the meal, and towards the end I took to
looking at my watch, wondering what could keep the cavalry from
arriving.

"I hope there is no danger of the train arriving first, is
there?" asked Madge.

"Not the slightest," I assured her. "The train won't be here for
an hour, and the cavalry had only five miles to cover forty
minutes ago. I must say, they seem to be taking their time."

"There they are now!" cried Albert.

Listening, we heard the clatter of horses' feet, going at a good
pace, and we all rose and went to the windows, to see the
arrival. Our feelings can be judged when across the tracks came
only a mob of thirty or forty cowboys, riding in their usual
"show-off" style.

"The deuce!" I couldn't help exclaiming, in my surprise. "Are
you sure you saw a flag, Miss Cullen?"

"Why--I--thought--" she faltered. "I saw something red, and--I
supposed of course--"

Not waiting to let her finish, I exclaimed, "There's been a fluke
somewhere, I'm afraid; but we are still in good shape, for the
train can't possibly be here under an hour. I'll get my
field-glasses and have another look before I decide what--"

My speech was interrupted by the entrance of the sheriff and Mr.
Camp!

CHAPTER XI

THE LETTERS CHANGE HANDS AGAIN

What seemed at the moment an incomprehensible puzzle had, as we
afterwards learned, a very simple explanation. One of the G. S.
directors, Mr. Baldwin, who had come in on Mr. Camp's car, was
the owner of a great cattle-ranch near Rock Butte. When the train
had been held at that station for a few minutes, Camp went to the
conductor, demanded the cause for the delay, and was shown my
telegram. Seeing through the device, the party had at once gone
to this ranch, where the owner, Baldwin, mounted them, and it was
their dust-cloud we had seen as they rode up to Ash Forks. To
make matters more serious, Baldwin had rounded up his cowboys and
brought them along with him, in order to make any resistance
impossible.

I made no objection to the sheriff serving the paper, though it
nearly broke my heart to see Madge's face. To cheer her I said,
suggestively, "They've got me, but they haven't got the lette